Lions boss makes call on son, Wallabies set for opener
But the Wallabies are poised to create some family history of their own with 22-year-old flyhalf Tom Lynagh tipped to wear the No.10 on Saturday, 36 years after champion father Michael did the same.
The sides will confirm their squads on Thursday afternoon but it's expected former England captain Farrell will be beaten to a spot on the bench by countryman Marcus Smith.
Farrell was a late call-up after Elliot Daly's (arm) tour-ending injury, despite not playing international rugby for nearly two years and enduring an injury-hit season in France with Racing 92.
But he impressed off the bench in Saturday's thrashing of the AUNZ Invitational XV and looked a chance to provide cover in the centres and No.10 for the Test opener.
"I'd pick him. It's not my job, but I know how much of a competitor he is," Wallabies lock Will Skelton, who won the English Premiership in 2018 and 2019, and 2019 European Cup alongside him at Saracens, said.
"You could see how well he played on the weekend after a few months off. He hadn't been playing much, but we'll be ready if he does play.
"He's demanding and has high standards. That's what you want in a team."
But father and coach Farrell has reportedly instead favoured fellow Englishman Smith, who can play fullback or flyhalf.
Finn Russell is set to wear the No.10, with Irish duo Jamison Gibson-Park and Hugo Keenan in the No.9 and 15, and Russell's Scottish teammates Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones in the centres.
But exciting flanker Henry Pollock, who boasts just one Test for England earlier this year, has also reportedly missed a spot on the bench.
Italy-born, England-raised Lynagh finished school and moved to Australia in 2021 and has flourished under Wallabies coach-in-waiting Les Kiss as the Queensland Reds' main man for the last two years.
He boasts just three Test appearances off the bench and is tipped to be named alongside veteran scrumhalf Jake Gordon in a fresh halves pairing for the crucial first Test.
Michael won a World Cup for the Wallabies and wore the No.10 against the Lions in 1989.
They would be the first father and son to play for the Wallabies against the Lions in 126 years of touring history.
Skelton is set to return after missing the Wallabies' only lead-in Test but influential backrower Rob Valetini (calf) was less likely to be back in a blow to the side's crucial ball-carrying stocks.
Reds hooker Matt Faessler, who scored a historic hattrick in his last Test appearance, is also poised to return after he started for the Reds instead of playing against Fiji in his return from a hamstring injury.
Andy Farrell is set to overlook son and four-time tourist Owen for the British and Irish Lions' series opener in Brisbane.
But the Wallabies are poised to create some family history of their own with 22-year-old flyhalf Tom Lynagh tipped to wear the No.10 on Saturday, 36 years after champion father Michael did the same.
The sides will confirm their squads on Thursday afternoon but it's expected former England captain Farrell will be beaten to a spot on the bench by countryman Marcus Smith.
Farrell was a late call-up after Elliot Daly's (arm) tour-ending injury, despite not playing international rugby for nearly two years and enduring an injury-hit season in France with Racing 92.
But he impressed off the bench in Saturday's thrashing of the AUNZ Invitational XV and looked a chance to provide cover in the centres and No.10 for the Test opener.
"I'd pick him. It's not my job, but I know how much of a competitor he is," Wallabies lock Will Skelton, who won the English Premiership in 2018 and 2019, and 2019 European Cup alongside him at Saracens, said.
"You could see how well he played on the weekend after a few months off. He hadn't been playing much, but we'll be ready if he does play.
"He's demanding and has high standards. That's what you want in a team."
But father and coach Farrell has reportedly instead favoured fellow Englishman Smith, who can play fullback or flyhalf.
Finn Russell is set to wear the No.10, with Irish duo Jamison Gibson-Park and Hugo Keenan in the No.9 and 15, and Russell's Scottish teammates Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones in the centres.
But exciting flanker Henry Pollock, who boasts just one Test for England earlier this year, has also reportedly missed a spot on the bench.
Italy-born, England-raised Lynagh finished school and moved to Australia in 2021 and has flourished under Wallabies coach-in-waiting Les Kiss as the Queensland Reds' main man for the last two years.
He boasts just three Test appearances off the bench and is tipped to be named alongside veteran scrumhalf Jake Gordon in a fresh halves pairing for the crucial first Test.
Michael won a World Cup for the Wallabies and wore the No.10 against the Lions in 1989.
They would be the first father and son to play for the Wallabies against the Lions in 126 years of touring history.
Skelton is set to return after missing the Wallabies' only lead-in Test but influential backrower Rob Valetini (calf) was less likely to be back in a blow to the side's crucial ball-carrying stocks.
Reds hooker Matt Faessler, who scored a historic hattrick in his last Test appearance, is also poised to return after he started for the Reds instead of playing against Fiji in his return from a hamstring injury.
Andy Farrell is set to overlook son and four-time tourist Owen for the British and Irish Lions' series opener in Brisbane.
But the Wallabies are poised to create some family history of their own with 22-year-old flyhalf Tom Lynagh tipped to wear the No.10 on Saturday, 36 years after champion father Michael did the same.
The sides will confirm their squads on Thursday afternoon but it's expected former England captain Farrell will be beaten to a spot on the bench by countryman Marcus Smith.
Farrell was a late call-up after Elliot Daly's (arm) tour-ending injury, despite not playing international rugby for nearly two years and enduring an injury-hit season in France with Racing 92.
But he impressed off the bench in Saturday's thrashing of the AUNZ Invitational XV and looked a chance to provide cover in the centres and No.10 for the Test opener.
"I'd pick him. It's not my job, but I know how much of a competitor he is," Wallabies lock Will Skelton, who won the English Premiership in 2018 and 2019, and 2019 European Cup alongside him at Saracens, said.
"You could see how well he played on the weekend after a few months off. He hadn't been playing much, but we'll be ready if he does play.
"He's demanding and has high standards. That's what you want in a team."
But father and coach Farrell has reportedly instead favoured fellow Englishman Smith, who can play fullback or flyhalf.
Finn Russell is set to wear the No.10, with Irish duo Jamison Gibson-Park and Hugo Keenan in the No.9 and 15, and Russell's Scottish teammates Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones in the centres.
But exciting flanker Henry Pollock, who boasts just one Test for England earlier this year, has also reportedly missed a spot on the bench.
Italy-born, England-raised Lynagh finished school and moved to Australia in 2021 and has flourished under Wallabies coach-in-waiting Les Kiss as the Queensland Reds' main man for the last two years.
He boasts just three Test appearances off the bench and is tipped to be named alongside veteran scrumhalf Jake Gordon in a fresh halves pairing for the crucial first Test.
Michael won a World Cup for the Wallabies and wore the No.10 against the Lions in 1989.
They would be the first father and son to play for the Wallabies against the Lions in 126 years of touring history.
Skelton is set to return after missing the Wallabies' only lead-in Test but influential backrower Rob Valetini (calf) was less likely to be back in a blow to the side's crucial ball-carrying stocks.
Reds hooker Matt Faessler, who scored a historic hattrick in his last Test appearance, is also poised to return after he started for the Reds instead of playing against Fiji in his return from a hamstring injury.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
a minute ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
How a Wallabies great forged a global union as Lynagh battle looms
Fresh off his maiden starting appearance in Wallabies colours in defeat to the British and Irish Lions, Tom Lynagh will be bracing for a future in which he is pitted against his brother. The Australian five-eighth's Super Rugby Pacific outfit, the Queensland Reds, have announced a groundbreaking partnership with Italian side Benetton – the club which the 22-year-old's older sibling, Louis Lynagh, currently plays for. Four Reds – Josh Flook, Richie Asiata, John Bryant and Louis Werchon – will leave in July for a three-month secondment, in which they will feature in Europe's United Rugby Championship. Queensland will travel to Treviso for the first time in November 2026 when they will face-off with Benetton, opening the door for the Lynagh boys to square off, after their father – Wallabies great Michael Lynagh – won trophies at each club. 'The connection was made through Michael Lynagh,' Reds general manager of high performance Sam Cordingley said. Loading 'Right from the start, we have felt a genuine will to create opportunities that can benefit two proud clubs and two strong brands.' Cordingley, and Benetton general manager of rugby Antonio Pavanello, launched discussions of the partnership in January as the Australian side took part in their European tour, in which they clashed with Bristol and Ulster. It followed contests with Wales, Tonga and Japanese franchise Saitama Wild Knights in 2024, while they also battled the Lions this month and hope to include another fixture on their Italy tour.
The Age
a minute ago
- The Age
How a Wallabies great forged a global union as Lynagh battle looms
Fresh off his maiden starting appearance in Wallabies colours in defeat to the British and Irish Lions, Tom Lynagh will be bracing for a future in which he is pitted against his brother. The Australian five-eighth's Super Rugby Pacific outfit, the Queensland Reds, have announced a groundbreaking partnership with Italian side Benetton – the club which the 22-year-old's older sibling, Louis Lynagh, currently plays for. Four Reds – Josh Flook, Richie Asiata, John Bryant and Louis Werchon – will leave in July for a three-month secondment, in which they will feature in Europe's United Rugby Championship. Queensland will travel to Treviso for the first time in November 2026 when they will face-off with Benetton, opening the door for the Lynagh boys to square off, after their father – Wallabies great Michael Lynagh – won trophies at each club. 'The connection was made through Michael Lynagh,' Reds general manager of high performance Sam Cordingley said. Loading 'Right from the start, we have felt a genuine will to create opportunities that can benefit two proud clubs and two strong brands.' Cordingley, and Benetton general manager of rugby Antonio Pavanello, launched discussions of the partnership in January as the Australian side took part in their European tour, in which they clashed with Bristol and Ulster. It followed contests with Wales, Tonga and Japanese franchise Saitama Wild Knights in 2024, while they also battled the Lions this month and hope to include another fixture on their Italy tour.
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
Tongan Thor ready if it's au revoir to Australia
Taniela Tupou says he's "at peace" if the First Nations and Pasifika XV match against the British and Irish Lions is the last in Australia for the powerhouse prop. "Tongan Thor" was left out of the Wallabies squad for their opening Test loss against the tourists in Brisbane while his inclusion in the historic selection that will play at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium on Tuesday night likely rules him out of the second Test at the MCG. Captained by Wallabies veteran Kurtley Beale and coached by Test great Toutai Kefu, the inaugural First Nations and Pasifika side are looking to cause a boilover against the unbeaten Lions, who have already taken a 1-0 lead over Australia in the Test series. After a disappointing season with the NSW Waratahs, Tupou signed a two-year deal to play in France with the star-studded Racing 92 team putting in jeopardy any future Wallabies involvement beyond the Lions series. Tupou has slipped behind Allan Alaalatoa and Tom Robertson in the tighthead stocks and while he will rejoin the Wallabies training squad ahead of remaining two Tests, Tuesday's match might be his last on home soil. "Look, I'm here having fun, enjoying it, whatever happens, happens," Tupou said of his Test future. "So if I'm back, I'm back and if not, I'm living life, I'm enjoying it. "Just play my footy tomorrow and then see what happens after that ... hopefully I will play again, if not, then I'm at peace with it." The 29-year-old, who was described as having potential to be the best tighthead in the world, was asked how he'd like to be remembered if his 58-Test career was over. "They'll remember me how they want to remember me," he said. Hooker Paenga-Amosa said he wanted to enjoy "one last ride" with his former Queensland teammate and good friend and said the playing group, representing First Nations, Fiji, Cook Islands, Tonga, Maori and Samoa, had got a boost by his inclusion. "There's a buzz around having him back, him and Filipo Daugunu back in the camp as well ... it really excited a lot of us, you know, knowing that we get these two heavy hitters." Paenga-Amosa has already faced the Lions twice, with the Western Force and the AUNZ outfit and acknowledged the mammoth task of taking down the tourists, who will be skippered by Owen Farrell. "What I've learned is just to have a crack mate, you know, just everybody come together and let's just give it the best that we can for 80 minutes," he said. "We know that they're not really focused on us, and that's OK ... we just want to show them what we're made of."
