I could see Farrell on bench this Test series
Lions head coach Andy Farrell opted against selecting his son in the initial squad but called him up when utility back Elliot Daly left the tour through injury.Despite not covering Daly's outside back positions Farrell, who plays at fly-half and inside centre, was brought into the squad despite struggling for form and fitness last season at Racing 92.With Farrell not having played international rugby in nearly two years, Marcus Smith or Fin Smith could still earn a first-Test bench spot ahead of him, with Finn Russell in pole position to wear the number 10 shirt.The Lions then play against a First Nations and Pasifika XV on 22 July, before the second Test in Melbourne on 26 July.Former England wing Chris Ashton believes that final midweek game could propel Farrell into Test contention."He will start at fly-half or inside centre [against First Nations and Pasifika XV] as the lads would be involved in the first Test," Ashton added."That is the real chance for Owen to show himself properly. That 30 minutes on Saturday against poor opposition wasn't enough."He looked really relieved to be out there and happy as he would have been dying just to be on the pitch and put behind him all press and noise out of the way."He had a couple of nice touches. He'll be happy to keep everything moving along."Listen to the latest episode of Rugby Union Weekly.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
24 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Shock development emerges about Kalyn Ponga's rugby league future
Kalyn Ponga is reportedly considering leaving the Newcastle Knights at the end of this season and could be eyeing up a cross-code switch to play rugby union. The Sydney Morning Herald states that the 27-year-old full-back has started to look for other opportunities away from the Knights and has hired a New Zealand rugby union agent as he looks for new opportunities. The Western Australia-born star, who has played with the Knights since 2018, has two years left on his bumper $1.4million-a-season contract. But the former Queensland representative is understood to be 'concerned about wasting the prime years of his career' with the Knights. Sources close to the situation have added that the footy star, who had previously played for North Queensland, could be ready to depart as early as the end of the 2025 season. It comes as Newcastle are also weighing up the future of their coach Adam O'Brien, with Powerbrokers planning to sack the coach, whose contract also expires in 2027, at the conclusion of the current campaign. The struggling Knights have been left fearing that their star man, Ponga, could leave for some time, with Michael Chammas of the Sydney Morning Herald having revealed the club were growing concerned in May that if the side's form did not improve, Ponga could leave. Should the 2023 Dally M medallist leave the club, the Knights would see a huge shift in their salary cap, allowing them to bring in a fresh stand-off option. Newcastle also have Fletcher Sharpe who can move into take Ponga's position at full-back. While the has not explicitly asked to be released, the footy star's management are willing to negotiate terms of a release. Ponga's decision to hire a Kiwi rugby union agent also comes at an interesting time. The emergence of the lucrative R360 competition is reportedly set to start in 2026, while the Rugby World Cup is set to follow a year later in Australia. Some European rugby union clubs have also been contacted about the potential availability of Ponga, according to reports.
BBC News
31 minutes ago
- BBC News
Morgan flies Welsh flag alone in 44-man Lions squad
There remains just one Welshman - Jac Morgan - in what will soon be a squad of 44 British and Irish lions in Australia. It's a staggering stat. A barren run of results means there have been few objections thus far though hooker Dewi Lake may feel aggrieved to have been Ewan Ashman, Darcy Graham and Rory Sutherland will join from New Zealand to provide cover for the First Nations & Pasifika XV fixture and will bring the country's representation to 11 players. Graham's inclusion means the Scotland backline who beat Australia in November are now all in the meanwhile boast 18 players, 14 from Leinster which equals England's representation. Lions captain Maro Itoje today defended Andy Farrell's decision to expand the squad with some suggesting it devalues the shirt.''Andy has called them in because they will help us achieve our goal of winning a Test series," he said. "These are all quality players and have achieved things. It's not us and them we are all in this together. "It doesn't matter if there is a late call-up. We have seen in the past how late call-ups have had a huge impact on the tour in positive ways so I have no doubt everyone will play a significant role."Head coach Farrell won't be concerned by the optics of the squad split with just one number on his mind. The Lions have played eight and won eight Tests in Brisbane, a record he'll be desperate to retain.
BreakingNews.ie
42 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Wimbledon's memorable matches: Raducanu's thriller and Dimitrov's heartbreak
A thrilling Wimbledon fortnight came to an end with title wins for Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek. Here, we look back on five memorable matches from SW19. Advertisement Third round – Aryna Sabalenka beat Emma Raducanu 7-6 (6) 6-4 Emma Raducanu, right, ran the top seed close (Adam Davy/PA) Late-night drama under the roof on Centre Court has been in short supply since Andy Murray limped off into the sunset, but Raducanu reminded the tennis world what a special talent she is before a narrow loss to world number one Sabalenka. The 22-year-old played some electrifying tennis but was unable to apply the finishing touches, eventually going down in two tight sets after exactly two hours. The first set alone took 74 minutes, with Raducanu saving seven set points and creating one of her own, while she led 4-1 in the second before Sabalenka recovered. Fourth round – Jannik Sinner beat Grigor Dimitrov 3-6 5-7 2-2 ret Jannik Sinner, left, checks on the injured Grigor Dimitrov (Jordan Pettitt/PA) A sliding doors moment as Dimitrov suffered Wimbledon heartbreak when he was on the verge of knocking out the world number one and eventual champion. Advertisement The 34-year-old Bulgarian had won the first two sets and was playing some inspired tennis when, at 2-2 in the third, he clutched his chest after serving an ace. Sinner rushed around the net to check on his opponent as he sat, in some distress, on the court with a pectoral injury which forced him to retire, handing the Italian a major reprieve. Fourth round – Amanda Anisimova beat Linda Noskova 6-2 5-7 6-4 Back in the #Wimbledon quarter-finals 💪 Amanda Anisimova defeats Linda Noskova 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 6, 2025 A tense third-set shoot-out between two players in form on the grass had spectators on Court One on the edge of their seats. Noskova broke first but Anisimova responded almost straight away and an ace for 2-3 proved the turning point for the American, who then reeled off 10 straight points to break and hold to love. Advertisement Anisimova, the eventual runner-up, received a warning for racket abuse as her opponent drew level but then forced two match points on the Czech's serve and took the second, leaving Noskova throwing her racket in frustration after a high-quality two-hour battle. Fourth round – Cameron Norrie beat Nicolas Jarry 6-3 7-6 (4) 6-7 (7) 6-7 (5) 6-3 There was considerable beef between Cameron Norrie, left, and Nicolas Jarry Norrie battled through to the quarter-finals to become the last Briton standing in singles after a five-set marathon low on quality but high on aggro. Chilean hot head Jarry was enraged at how long Norrie – who had a match point in the third set – was taking between first and second serve, pleading with the umpire 'He does it always. Do I have to suck it up?' He made his feelings even clearer after the four-and-a-half-hour contest as the pair had a heated exchange of views beneath the umpire's chair. Advertisement Final – Jannik Sinner beat Carlos Alcaraz 4-6 6-4 6-4 6-4 Sinner celebrates a first Wimbledon title (John Walton/PA) After Anisimova's no-show in the women's final, Wimbledon needed something special from the men, and they delivered. Sinner and Alcaraz showed why they are one and two in the world with some fabulous rallies and outrageous shot-making. Alcaraz took the opening set with a stunning backhand winner on the stretch, but Sinner's level was more consistent throughout as the Italian got revenge for his defeat to his great rival in the French Open final last month.
