Farrell named on Lions bench; "positive news" on Kinghorn
The Lions also announced that Scotland fullback Blair Kinghorn had "received positive news" following a scan on a knee injury sustained early in the victory over the Brumbies on Wednesday.
There were fears that the injury might be serious, causing head coach Andy Farrell a potential headache at fullback following the fractured arm that ended Elliot Daly's tour and the scratchy form of Ireland's Hugo Keenan.
Jamie Osborne, currently with the Ireland squad in Portugal, will join the Lions to provide additional training cover.
Andy Farrell brought son Owen into the squad last week following the injury that ruled versatile back Daly out of the three-match test series against the Wallabies.
Though boasting 112 England caps and three previous Lions tours, the 33-year-old flyhalf/centre's inclusion was polarising given he has not played a test since 2023 and is coming off an injury-plagued season in French club rugby.
Andy Farrell, who defended Owen's inclusion last week, said on Thursday his son was no different to other teammates in needing to catch up fast to the Lions' playbook.
"He's the same as everyone else who's had to get up to speed pretty quickly," Farrell told a press conference in Adelaide on Thursday.
"Everyone had to at the start and a few have come in since. I think the art of this stage of the tour is mentally being as switched on as you possibly can.
"There's not that much training that you can do. We're at a captain's run tomorrow and that's the preparation for this game."
With only a couple of days' break following the laboured 36-24 win over the ACT Brumbies, Farrell has overhauled his squad while retaining a few players from Canberra.
Winger Mack Hansen and loose forward Henry Pollock, who each played off the bench against the Brumbies, were included in the starting 15.
England's Marcus Smith has also been retained on the bench after replacing Kinghorn in the first half in Canberra, with Keenan starting in the number 15 jersey Adelaide. Lock Tadhg Beirne will captain the side as Maro Itoje is rested.
Farrell's team will face 14 test players in the AUNZ line-up coached by Les Kiss at Adelaide Oval, their final run-out before the first test on July 19.
"As a unit, how they gel together, there's a little bit of unknown there," Farrell said of their opponents.
"It looks like a formidable side, doesn't it, that's going to be hard to stop."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
3 hours ago
- CNA
Conway replaces injured Allen in NZ squad for T20 tri-series
Wicketkeeper-batter Devon Conway will replace the injured Finn Allen in the New Zealand squad for the 20-overs tri-series in Zimbabwe, New Zealand Cricket said on Sunday. Allen has been ruled out of the tournament after suffering a foot injury while representing the San Francisco Unicorns in the Major League Cricket in the United States. "We're really gutted for Finn," New Zealand head coach Rob Walter said in a statement issued by the New Zealand association. "I was looking forward to working with him and to see him continue his form from the MLC but unfortunately injuries happen. "We're lucky to be able to call on someone of Devon's quality to replace Finn." Mitch Hay, Jimmy Neesham and Tim Robinson will also join the squad as cover for Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra, who are involved in the MLC final on Monday. "We knew there'd be a possibility that a handful of players could be involved in the MLC final on Monday, so we're bringing in Mitch, Jimmy and Tim as possible replacements," Walter said.
CNA
4 hours ago
- CNA
West Indies bowl out Australia for 225 after dramatic collapse
Australia lost seven wickets for 68 runs in a dramatic collapse to be all out for 225 on day one of the third and final test against West Indies at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica. West Indies finished the day on 16 for one — 209 runs behind — after Australia's Mitchell Starc bowled Kevlon Anderson off the inside edge in the pacer's 100th test. Starc, 35, is just the second Australian fast bowler after Glenn McGrath to play 100 tests. Australia won the toss and opted to bat first for the day-night test but crumbled despite being 157-3 at one stage as the West Indies bowlers ripped through their middle order before being dismissed in 70.3 overs. Australia's Usman Khawaja and Sam Konstas shared a 28-run opening partnership before Justin Greaves provided the breakthrough for West Indies by removing Konstas. Steve Smith top-scored for Australia with 48, and shared a 61-run stand with Cameron Green, the visitors' highest partnership of the day. West Indies quick Shamar Joseph finished with 4-33, the pick of the home bowlers, while Jayden Seales and Justin Greaves took three wickets each. For West Indies, opener Brandon King was batting on eight with skipper Roston Chase on three at the other end after losing Anderson for three runs. West Indies fielded a makeshift opening pair of Anderson and King after Mikyle Louis and John Campbell sustained injuries while fielding and were sent to hospital for scans. "Every pitch has been tough. The more balls you spend in the middle you hope it gets better but it just hasn't been the case," Green told broadcasters. "It's a bit of a grind first time with these balls, but a lot of learnings. Time in the middle is key – just trying to get used to their bowlers, their conditions. "Very happy with our position (in this test). We wanted to give them a tricky last 45 minutes. To get them one down is crucial, and we'll wait and see what happens tomorrow."
Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Straits Times
West Indies bowl out Australia for 225 after dramatic collapse
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Australia lost seven wickets for 68 runs in a dramatic collapse to be all out for 225 on day one of the third test against West Indies at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica. West Indies finished the day on 16 for one -- 209 runs behind - after Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc dismissed Kevlon Anderson in the pacer's 100th test. Australia won the toss and opted to bat first for the day-night test but crumbled despite being 157-3 at one stage as the West Indies bowlers ripped through their middle order before being dismissed in 70.3 overs. Steve Smith top scored for Australia with 48. West Indies quick Shamar Joseph finished with 4-33, the pick of the home bowlers, while Jayden Seales and Justin Greaves took three wickets each. "Every pitch has been tough. The more balls you spend in the middle you hope it gets better but it just hasn't been the case," Cameron Green told broadcasters. "It's a bit of a grind first time with these balls, but a lot of learnings. Time in the middle is key – just trying to get used to their bowlers, their conditions. "Very happy with our position (in this Test). We wanted to give them a tricky last 45 minutes. To get them one down is crucial, and we'll wait and see what happens tomorrow." REUTERS Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Government looking at enhancing laws around vaping to tackle issue of drug-laced vapes in Singapore Singapore Why the vape scourge in Singapore concerns everyone Singapore I lost my daughter to Kpod addiction: Father of 19-year-old shares heartbreak and lessons Singapore Organised crime groups pushing drug-laced vapes in Asia including Singapore: UN Singapore Prison school to NUS: At 36, former drug abuser finds it's never too late to get a degree Singapore Driver arrested after 66-year-old woman dies in car crash at Geylang pasar malam Singapore Bland and boring? Some hospitals seek help from big names to enhance food menus for patients Asia Patriotism, peace and pain: The politics behind China's World War II narrative
