Ireland's uncapped 13
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Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Telegraph
Owen Farrell set to be called up to Lions squad
Owen Farrell, the former England fly half, is the front-runner to receive a sensational call-up to the Lions tour, Telegraph Sport can reveal. Full back Elliot Daly suffered a suspected broken forearm in the 52-12 victory against the Queensland Reds. The Lions will get the result of an X-ray that Daly undertook on Wednesday night after leaving the Suncorp Stadium in a sling. Should their worst fears be confirmed, then Telegraph Sport understands that Daly's new Saracens teammate, Farrell, is in line to be his replacement. While far from a direct swap for Daly, who has been deployed at full back so far on this tour but can also cover wing and centre, Farrell will more than make up the experience void. Daly was one of only three players in the original squad, alongside prop Tadhg Furlong and captain Maro Itoje, to have toured three times. Farrell, who was also used at inside centre by Racing 92 last season, will now be embarking on his fourth Lions tour having played in 2-1 series victory against the Wallabies in 2013. Speaking to Telegraph Sport last month, Farrell had certainly not shut the door on whether he would receive a Lions call-up despite stepping back from England duty. 'I can't say,' Farrell said. 'It is all very hypothetical, isn't it? A lot would need to happen, and I need to make sure I am ready to go if that does come around. That is the only point that matters.' The Lions have just three warm-up games heading into the three-Test series against the Wallabies that starts on 19 July and it is extremely unlikely that Farrell would arrive in time to be ready for Saturday's match against the New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney. Certainly no one can doubt his credentials as England's record points scorer and a six-times Premiership champion. In terms of aura, few can match the presence of Farrell who captained England from 2018 through to 2023. On the 2021 Lions tour to South Africa, Farrell topped a players' vote for who should be in the leadership group despite coming into that series out of form. It will nevertheless be seen as a controversial call-up given that Farrell stepped back from international rugby following the 2023 World Cup, at which he was booed by England's supporters. He subsequently endured a wretched, injury-hit season at Racing 92 and Telegraph Sport first reported that the 33-year-old was returning to Saracens after only a year in the Parisian capital. Following the eight-try win over the Reds, head coach Farrell seemed unconcerned by the Lions options at full back in light of Daly's potential absence while specialists Blair Kinghorn and Hugo Keenan have yet to play a minute on this tour. 'No, we've got loads of full-backs,' Farrell said. 'Hugo will be OK tomorrow or the next day and Blair's ready to go.' That suggested that he may call-up a utility back such as Scotland's Tom Jordan or Ireland's Jamie Osborne; instead he has gone for the ultimate Test match animal. However short of form and fitness Farrell junior might be with the Test series now fast approaching, Andy Farrell has gone with the player he trusts the most: his son.
Reuters
6 hours ago
- Reuters
All Blacks name four debutants to play depleted France
July 3 (Reuters) - New Zealand coach Scott Robertson has included four debutants in his match-day squad for the series-opening test against a depleted France in Dunedin on Saturday. Uncapped lock Fabian Holland will start in the second row next to captain Scott Barrett, while Christian Lio-Willie will play his first test at number eight alongside openside flanker Ardie Savea and Tupou Vaa'i on the blindside. Prop Ollie Norris and loose forward Du'Plessis Kirifi will hope to debut off the bench as the All Blacks look to snap a three-game losing streak to the French. "This is a huge moment for these men and their families; we are all thrilled for them," Robertson said of the debutants in a media release on Thursday. "For Fabian and Christian, it will be special to debut in front of a Dunedin home crowd and I am sure Fabian's Highlanders supporters and Christian's Otago fans will be out in full force. "Ollie and Du'Plessis have both shown their class in Super Rugby this year and we know they are ready." Robertson has opted for an experienced front row with Ethan de Groot, hooker Codie Taylor and Fletcher Newell, while Cameron Roigard will partner Beauden Barrett in the halves. "Facing France is always special; they bring intensity, flair, and physicality," said Robertson. "We are ready for the challenge and what better place to kick it off than under the roof in Dunedin, in front of a packed home crowd." New Zealand team: 15–Will Jordan, 14–Rieko Ioane, 13–Billy Proctor, 12–Jordie Barrett, 11–Sevu Reece, 10–Beauden Barrett, 9–Cam Roigard, 8–Christian Lio-Willie, 7–Ardie Savea, 6–Tupou Vaa'i, 5–Fabian Holland, 4–Scott Barrett (capt), 3–Fletcher Newell, 2–Codie Taylor, 1–Ethan de Groot. Replacements: 16–Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17–Ollie Norris, 18–Pasilio Tosi, 19–Samipeni Finau, 20–Du'Plessis Kirifi, 21–Cortez Ratima, 22–Quinn Tupaea, 23–Damian McKenzie.
Times
6 hours ago
- Times
‘Taken for granted', never a Lion — yet George Ford nears 100 caps
The day the British & Irish Lions announced their tour squad George Ford took a call wishing him good luck. 'Thanks,' England's fly half replied. 'Whatever happens, nothing changes what I do tomorrow. Nothing.' Mike Ford, George's father and a former Lions defence coach, rang off and thought about what he had just heard. 'You go, 'Right, OK', but you're thinking, wow, that's why he is who he is,' Mike said. The Lions did not come for the Sale Sharks playmaker, hence his presence in Argentina, rather than Australia. But that ability to treat Rudyard Kipling's twin impostors the same goes a long way to explaining why the 32-year-old is about to become the eighth Englishman to reach 100 caps. Ford has won a grand slam and three Six Nations titles, two Premierships and appeared in two World Cup semi-finals. He has also been left out of some of England's biggest World Cup games, though, and never been a Lion. All the while he has met sporting triumph and disaster with equanimity. 'We've picked him up a few times,' Ford Sr admits. 'Me or Sally Anne put an arm round him. We're his mum and dad, aren't we. I remind him he's the best in the world, because that's what I truly believe. But he's never let it affect the way he prepares the team and himself. I've been in the game since 1982 and he's teaching me things. 'I look at my own career and times that didn't go well for me. There was certainly a period I went into the doldrums, feeling sorry for myself. Most players are like that. George's mindset is so strong. He's obsessed with the sport, has been since he was a ball boy and mascot when I played.' From family you would expect words of support. But talk to hardened professionals and their verdicts correspond. 'George's temperament is always the same,' Ben Youngs, England's most-capped male player, says. 'So consistent, no let-off. Whether he's starting, captain, not involved, whatever — his discipline and focus on the week and day-to-day is remarkable. 'Externally, he's probably never got the praise he deserves, but I'll tell you this, he's one of the best I've played with and I was fortunate enough to play with some unbelievable fly halves. Remove him from Leicester's Premiership team in 2022 and we don't win that title. Without doubt. He was that integral to how we played. How he's never been a Lion I find very, very hard to fathom. 'He's so pivotal, essential and selfless in the way he creates space and time for everyone else. He's the ultimate team player. I think sometimes he goes under the radar because he does his job so well. He's taken for granted.' Ford played for England Under-18 when he was 15, made his professional debut at 16, marshalled England Under-20 at 17, and was named World Junior Player of the Year at 18. 'It was just a matter of time before we picked him,' recalls former England head coach Stuart Lancaster, who gave Ford his senior debut in 2014. 'His game understanding, knowledge and composure was exceptional at such a young age. 'I gave him his first cap on the basis of him beginning to really dominate at Premiership level. There are very few tens I have seen do that at such a young age. 'I look at him now and see a player at the peak of his powers. His ability to read and manipulate defences, to take the ball to the line when they're stood off him, to hold his feet when they're coming at him and put people into space, is incredible. 'To get to 100 caps in the same era as Owen Farrell, Danny Cipriani, Marcus Smith, Fin Smith and many other great tens is testament to him. He doesn't look to me like he's slowing down, either. He's in great shape and looks motivated. I'm very proud of him.' In La Plata, an hour's drive southeast of Buenos Aires, Ford will reach three figures against an Argentina side buoyant by beating the Lions. Watching from the Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi stands will be dad and younger brother, Jacob. 'He told us not to worry about being there,' Ford Sr says. 'Well, of course, he did! He said this is just a milestone on his journey and he doesn't want it to be seen as his be-all-and-end-all. 'So we won't be throwing him a party, because he wouldn't want that. But I still need to be there. I wouldn't be anywhere else.' Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi, La PlataSaturday, 8.40pmTV Sky Sports
