Pollock OK: Farrell Tranquil After Lions Victory, Minimal Concern

Farrell Reports on Team Health After Lions Victory

British & Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell has confirmed that Henry Pollock’s absence before the start of the match was a precautionary measure. In addition, Farrell reported that the rest of the team is in good health after the victory over the New South Wales Waratahs on Saturday. Pollock, who has had a meteoric rise this year, was scheduled to play as a blindside flanker in his third match with the Lions, but was ultimately withdrawn from the match at the Sydney Football Stadium.

It was just a bit of caution due to a calf strain that was tight enough this morning, so, knowing what we knew, there was no need to risk it.

Andy Farrell

The Lions have suffered significant losses in their first two matches in Australia. Tomos Williams suffered a hamstring injury and Elliot Daly broke his arm. Farrell noted that his team emerged unscathed from Saturday’s match.

Andy Farrell played down any concerns about Henry Pollock. Farrell was less impressed with his team’s error-ridden performance and suggested that the Waratahs might have watered the field before the match to make conditions difficult.

Well, that’s a good tactic on their part, isn’t it? The ball slips, the ruck is ferocious enough and the line speed is high octane on their part too.

Andy Farrell

Farrell brought his son Owen into the team as a replacement due to injury, but indicated that Wednesday’s match against the ACT Brumbies would likely come too soon for him. The Brumbies defeated the Lions on their last tour of Australia 12 years ago. “It looks like there might be a little rain, so that’s good for us, we also need to play in those conditions,” Farrell said. “But we also know they’re a top-tier team in the Australian division, and we also know what happened with the Lions in 2013, so we know Wednesday is a big day for all of us.”