‘Devastating for him' – Garry Ringrose will leave Australia without having played a Test for the Lions
Mack Hansen and Joe McCarthy are back fit for last game in Sydney
Rúaidhrí O'Connor in Sydney
Garry Ringrose has been ruled out of Saturday's final Lions Test against Australia.
The Ireland centre is following the return to play protocols after experiencing concussion symptoms in training last Thursday. He missed the first Test with the injury he suffered against the Brumbies and was named in the second Test team before withdrawing.
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The Irish Sun
a few seconds ago
- The Irish Sun
Lions CEO Ben Calveley hints Andy Farrell is in pole position to lead 2029 New Zealand Tour
Andy Farrell looks set to lead the British and Irish Lions again in 2029 after guiding them to a famous 2-1 series win in Australia FAZ-TASTIC Lions CEO Ben Calveley hints Andy Farrell is in pole position to lead 2029 New Zealand Tour IRELAND boss Andy Farrell is in pole position to lead Lions again for the 2029 Tour of New Zealand. That's according to Lions CEO Ben Calveley, who has all but confirmed that the Ireland boss is the man to take charge of the next expedition to New Zealand. Advertisement 2 British and Irish Lions chief executive Ben Calveley hinted Andy Farrell could once again lead the touring side in New Zealand 2 Andy Farrell guided the Lions to a 2-1 series win over Australia The news comes following a dramatic and successful summer Test series against Joe Schmidt's Australia. Farrell guided the Lions to a first series win since 2013, clinching the tour 2-1 despite defeat to the Wallabies in the final Test in Sydney. While Calveley stopped short of officially re-appointing Farrell, he made clear that the English-born Ireland boss is their preferred candidate for the prestigious role in four-year time. He said: 'Andy's done an incredible job and I've really enjoyed working with him. He's brought a laser focus to the group since December and the results speak for themselves. Advertisement 'We'll give him a bit of time off now - but there's no doubt he's in a very strong position for 2029. Let's put it that way.' The Lions chief went on to admit the interest in the touring side is higher than ever as he says their status is reaching new heights in the rugby world's popularity. He added: 'You've seen the players' quotes throughout - they remain absolutely committed to the Lions. 'Our calendar spot is secured, and our relationship with the pro game is stronger than ever.' Advertisement Meanwhile, Farrell issued an update on James Ryan after the Ireland lock was stretchered off during the final Test against Australia. The Ireland lock was stretchered off in the first half of the Lions' 22-12 third Test defeat to Australia after a sickening - accidental - knee to the head. Australia and Lions rugby stars are forced off the pitch mid-game due to threat of lightning The Leinster star collided with the knee of Will Skelton while attempting to make a tackle on 42 minutes. Speaking in the post-match press conference, Farrell confirmed some reassuring news for concerned rugby fans as he issued an update on the Leinster lock's condition. Advertisement The Ireland boss said: 'He's up and talking. He was [knocked] out there for a few minutes. "But he is back and in good spirits. He's going to be fine.'
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Andy Farrell in 'strong position' to coach British & Irish Lions on 2029 tour of New Zealand
Andy Farrell's credentials to remain British and Irish Lions head coach for the 2029 tour to New Zealand have been endorsed by chief executive Ben Calveley. Farrell has steered the Lions to their first series triumph since 2013 with Saturday's 22-12 defeat by the Wallabies in Sydney the only loss of their nine-fixture visit to Australia. Even if their march towards the whitewash was conclusively halted at the final hurdle, the 50-year-old Ireland boss has presided over a successful tour notable for its results, squad cohesion, commitment to playing rugby and the character shown to win the second Test in the dying seconds. Planning for 2029 is already underway with Calveley promising a similar structure and number of games to the itinerary just completed, although the final midweek fixture will be looked at closely because of the disruption it causes to Test preparations. Farrell is the favourite to lead that expedition and Calveley suggests that the most coveted post in British and Irish rugby is currently his to lose. "Andy's done an incredible job and I have really enjoyed working with him," Calveley said. "I go right back to when I first met him to offer him the role. You could see right then that we had made the right decision in appointing Andy. "Since he has started full time back in December, he has brought a real focus to the operation which has ultimately resulted in success on the field of play. We will now give him a bit of time off. "When it comes to our appointments for future tours, we will start the process in about two years and I don't think it would be right to comment on where it ends up. But certainly he has put himself in a very strong position, let's put it that way." Australia entered the series ranked eighth in the world and their credibility as an ongoing Lions tour destination was at stake before the Suncorp Stadium opener. Their thumping in Brisbane was an inauspicious start, but at Melbourne Cricket Ground they went within 51 seconds of levelling the series before emerging emphatic winners on Saturday. The Lions won the series by an aggregate score of just 68-67 and their opponents led for more time across the three Tests. Factor in profits that are "significantly higher than anything we've seen in the past" and it is clear that the Wallabies will continue to be adversaries for the elite of British and Irish rugby. "I would absolutely envisage returning to Australia. I know there's been loads of speculation about whether that would be the case or not, but we've had a wonderful tour here," Calveley said. "It's 100 per cent our ambition to return and we would want the next one to be bigger and better than this one." The Lions are seen as potentially being vulnerable to the proposed new breakaway franchise league R360, but Calveley insists their pulling power remains as strong as ever. "You have seen these quotes come from players at every stage throughout the tour is that they remain absolutely committed to the Lions," he said. "We all know that we have our place in the calendar baked into regulation 9 and I wouldn't see that changing in the future. "Our relationship with the professional game is better than it has ever been and I would see that continuing in the future."
Irish Times
3 hours ago
- Irish Times
TV View: Sky Sports require ingenuity to hype up Lions game amid storm delay
The hype machine that was so much a part of Sky Sports' coverage of the Lions series turned into something of a damp squib for the finale, with the final dead rubber match turning into an episode of the never-ending story as the rights holders were forced to use ingenuity to prolong matters due to the mother and father of all storm delays in Sydney. From the outset, with the Lions already assured of victory over Australia, those of us sitting on our sofas with mugs of tea were enticed into the rain-drenched arena with promises of witnessing history. 'Glory is already secure, today, well, it's all about legacy and greatness,' said presenter Alex Payne of the Lions' quest to complete a 3-0 clean sweep over the Wallabies. Yet, that sugar-coated intro seemed set in a different time and place as the television cameras brought us the rather comical pitchside discourse with Payne and an ever-changing cast of pundits – struggling more often than not simply to keep their umbrellas from flying away like a scene from Mary Poppins – who sought to assess the game ahead. READ MORE Supporters shelter from the rain under umbrellas at Accor Stadium in Sydney. Photograph: David Davies/PA We were treated in turn to pieces on different players, one and all made out to be superhuman. 'He's a genetic freak in the nicest possible way,' extolled John Barclay of Blair Kinghorn. Not to be outdone, Rory Best gave us his assessment of Jack Conan. 'A phenomenal athlete,' said Bestie. And there were Irish angles aplenty to the prematch build-up, including a segment on the series-winning try scorer of the previous week. Hugo Keenan's back story in how he came into the Lions with an injury and then suffered from a virus provided some real-life drama of its own without any need for hype. 'To pick up a stomach bug that lasted the guts of two weeks was a pain, to say the least,' said Keenan who came across as a thoroughly decent fellow. And Sky brought us into the team room midweek for an inspirational message from none other than boxer Katie Taylor which was watched and listened to on the big screen by the entire Lions team in silence so perfect that you could have heard a pin drop. 'One thing Katie is renowned around Ireland for is being the ultimate competitor,' explained Best of her own legendary sporting status. So, all sweetness and light and set for the clean sweep? Well, not quite. As Warren Gatland, who looked thoroughly miserable down on the sideline and looked as if he would have preferred to be anywhere else, put it of the challenge for Andy Farrell's Lions, 'the dangers are the weather and what part that's going to play.' Payne got the drift. 'If someone can send a lifeboat for us,' said the presenter as he and his pundits were soaked to their skins. Match commentator Miles Harrison was not anywhere near pitchside and safely set up in his booth up in the grandstands, although admitting the rain was 'totally tropical.' Anyway, his focus was on the prospect of Farrell's men being history makers in completing a 3-0 sweep. 'The Lions are going to have to dig deep if they want this piece of history,' he told us. Tommy Freeman of the British and Irish Lions is tackled. Photograph: Mark Metcalfe/Getty By half-time, there was a subtle change in the mood of the analysts. 'The weather has been a great leveller,' claimed Gatland, while Best explained: 'Australia won the territory battle but also the discipline battle as well.' When the match was suspended early in the second half as a dangerous storm front moved into the area, we actually got a birds eye view of how the teams handled the stoppage that went on and on. With sneaky cameras in the team rooms, we saw players on bikes, on bean bags, on physio benches getting rubdowns, on seats, and even some on laptops. 'You can do zero about this [weather delay], just concentrate on what you can control,' said Barclay of players' mindsets in such time. Gatland, known for his level of preparation as a coach, told of how he'd plan for various possibilities including bus breakdowns. 'I've never practised for lightning strikes,' he admitted. When the time came for play to resume, the long break in play seemed to have affected everyone with Harrison responding to the handover from presenter Payne by thanking 'Alice.' Alice? Who the heck is Alice? Harrison corrected himself. 'Alex. Alex.' Anyway, all the hype about legacy and history never came the way for the Sky Sports team – or The Lions for that matter – with the Aussies, and multiple came shots of a beaming Joe Schmidt who'd masterminded the win with the help of the weather gods, putting an end to it all. 'Their spirit and their wet weather skills triumph,' acknowledged Harrison.
