Owen Farrell will lead the British and Irish Lions as they face the First Nations & Pasifika XV in their final midweek tour match in Melbourne on Tuesday. Farrell, who is the son of Lions head coach Andy Farrell, steps in as a late addition to the tour due to Elliot Daly’s forearm injury, which compelled Daly to return home after the Lions’ second match against the Queensland Reds.
In total, the squad for this match features ten late call-ups aimed at protecting the team for the crucial second Test against the Wallabies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Saturday. Among those joining Farrell in the starting lineup are scrum-half Ben White, wing Darcy Graham, and centre Jamie Osborne, and Farrell will also be supported by the returning Blair Kinghorn, who has recovered from a knee issue.
Notably, seven of the ten late inclusions were initially brought in for cover, but now all are set to play a key role in this pivotal encounter. The Lions are keen to utilize this match as a platform for players to assert their potential for selection in the upcoming tests. Head coach Andy Farrell emphasized the open-minded approach regarding player selection, acknowledging the competition among players for positions.
The match presents not just an opportunity for individual players to shine, but also showcases a talented First Nations & Pasifika team brimming with skill and strength, setting the stage for a thrilling contest.
The full starting lineup for the British and Irish Lions includes:
– 15 Blair Kinghorn
– 14 Darcy Graham
– 13 Jamie Osborne
– 12 Owen Farrell (c)
– 11 Duhan van der Merwe
– 10 Fin Smith
– 9 Ben White
– 1 Pierre Schoeman
– 2 Jamie George
– 3 Finlay Bealham
– 4 James Ryan
– 5 Scott Cummings
– 6 Jac Morgan
– 7 Josh van der Flier
– 8 Henry Pollock
With the stakes high in both the midweek match and the upcoming tests, this game not only serves as preparation but also a showcase of rising talent and team dynamics, promising an exciting week ahead for rugby fans.