Owen Farrell to lead the British and Irish Lions in Melbourne
Owen Farrell has been appointed captain of the British and Irish Lions for their final tour match in Australia. The match will be played against a First Nations-Pasifika XV team at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on Tuesday night. Andy Farrell, Lions coach and Owen’s father, has bestowed this honor upon him. Farrell will play as inside center, partnering with rising English star Fin Smith. This encounter, which represents a significant part of the Lions’ final preparation in Australia, also offers an opportunity for players like Jac Morgan and Blair Kinghorn to prove their worth before the second match against the Wallabies at the MCG this weekend. However, securing a place in the 23-player squad for that match, aside from injuries, seems to be a difficult challenge, given the Lions’ good performance in Brisbane, where they achieved a 27-19 victory at Suncorp Stadium. The Lions will have the opportunity to secure the series in front of a crowd of over 90,000 spectators, but first they will have to focus on their match against the First Nations-Pasifika XV, a team that features several Wallabies players, including Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Taniela Tupou and Filipo Daugunu, who will be looking to impress. In addition, the Lions have selected Josh van der Flier and Henry Pollock in the back row, while James Ryan and Scott Cummins will pair up in the second row. In the front row, Pierre Schoeman, Jamie George and Finlay Bealham bring a wealth of experience.
“The coaches’ minds are open regarding selection, they have to be with so many players performing and fighting for a place, and we want that to continue for the remaining two tests. This group knows the level of performance we will need against a First Nations Pasifika team that is full of talent and power.” The match has been embroiled in controversy after the Lions last week rejected the selection of Pete Samu in the team, which generated widespread outrage, while the team coach, Toutai Kefu, said he was “absolutely devastated” by the decision. Andy Farrell defended on Saturday night the “rules and regulations” that were used to block the inclusion of Samu, as the tourists had exercised their right to have a say on who the First Nations-Pasifika team could select under the pre-tour agreement. The First Nations-Pasifika team was organized following the disappearance of the Melbourne Rebels, with the Victorian Super Rugby franchise liquidated due to financial debts. Substitutes Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell and Marcus Smith are the only Lions players repeating from Saturday night’s triumph over the Wallabies.BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS SQUAD: Blair Kinghorn, Darcy Graham, Jamie Osborne, Owen Farrell, Duhan van der Merwe, Fin Smith, Ben White; Henry Pollock, Josh van der Flier, Jac Morgan, James Ryan, Scott Cummings, Finlay Bealham, Jamie George, Pierre Schoeman. Replacements: Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland, Tom Clarkson, Gregor Brown, Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Garry Ringrose.“This match offers players another opportunity to fight for selection for the final two tests”.
Coach
