Farrell leads the Lions vs. First Nations-Pasifika XV: Last match of the tour

Owen Farrell will lead the British and Irish Lions in their final tour match in Australia, facing a First Nations-Pasifika XV combination at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on Tuesday night. Farrell has been honored with this responsibility by his father and Lions coach, Andy Farrell, and will play as inside center alongside English rising star, Fin Smith. This match, which represents the final test for a large part of the Lions squad in Australia, also provides an opportunity for players like Jac Morgan and Blair Kinghorn to prove their worth before the second clash against the Wallabies this weekend at the MCG. However, making a place in the 23 players for the match day, apart from injuries, seems to be a difficult task, given the excellent performance of the Lions in Brisbane, where they won 27-19 at Suncorp Stadium. They will have the opportunity to secure the series in front of a crowd of more than 90,000 spectators, but first they must focus on their match against a combined First Nations-Pasifika XV, which features several Wallabies players, such as Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Taniela Tupou and Filipo Daugunu, eager to stand out. The Lions have also named Josh van der Flier and Henry Pollock in a dynamic 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 make up a group of great experience. Alongside Smith in the backs line will be Scottish scrum-half Ben White, while Irishman Jamie Osborne joins Farrell in the midfield after joining the team late last week. Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe complete a Scottish back three alongside Kinghorn.

Owen Farrell will captain the British and Irish Lions against the First Nations-Pasifika XV in Melbourne on Tuesday night — Owen Farrell liderará a los British and Irish Lions contra el combinado First Nations-Pasifika XV en Melbourne el martes por la noche. Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images

“This encounter gives the players another opportunity to prove their worth for the selection in the last two matches.”

“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 in the remaining two matches.”
Andy Farrell

“This group knows the performance level we will require against a First Nations-Pasifika team that is full of talent and power.”
Andy Farrell

The match has been embroiled in controversy after the Lions last week rejected the inclusion of Pete Samu in the squad, sparking widespread public outrage, while 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 Samu’s inclusion, as the tourists exercised their right to comment on who could be selected by the First Nations-Pasifika team under the pre-tour agreement. The First Nations-Pasifika team was organized after 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 to repeat from Saturday night’s triumph over the Wallabies.

BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS LINEUP: