logo
No doubts for Owen Farrell after late call to Lions tour

No doubts for Owen Farrell after late call to Lions tour

RTÉ News​6 days ago
Owen Farrell did not hesitate to answer the call to join his fourth British and Irish Lions tour even though he was aware of the potential "poison" his involvement might generate.
Farrell captains the Lions for the first time in Tuesday's match against the First Nations and Pasifika XV at Marvel Stadium, 17 days after arriving in Australia as an injury replacement for Elliot Daly.
The former England captain had just finished a testimonial golf day for former Saracens team-mate Jackson Wray when his father Andy called with the invitation to join the squad.
Mechanical issues with his car meant he was able to disappear to answer the phone without raising the suspicions of his golf partners.
"When I got asked to come, the first thing that popped into my head was 'yes'," Farrell said.
"It wasn't a discussion. Elliot got a knock and I got a phone call. 'Can you get ready?' and I said 'Yeah.'
"That was it. I wanted to take the opportunity and I'm glad I'm here."
Until his cameo against AUNZ on 12 July, his most recent international appearance was at the 2023 World Cup, after which Farrell (above) stepped back from England to prioritise his and his family's mental wellbeing.
It was a response to the vitriol that ensued after he was banned for a high tackle against Wales in the build-up to the tournament and the booing he received during England's march to the semi-finals.
The 33-year-old struggles to comprehend why he is such a polarising figure but has learned to deal with the darker moments by retaining perspective, while "making sure I look after myself and giving myself a break".
"I understand that times are different now," he said.
"Sometimes it catches fire and just takes a life of its own and goes wherever it goes and there's momentum behind it. But no, I don't always understand it.
"The good and the bad – both are a poison. That's not to say that it's all bad, but the things that should matter to us as players are the people that matter to us.
"If you go and knock on someone's door and ask them their opinion of how you played at the weekend, you wouldn't really listen to their answer.
"The people that I think we should listen to are the proper rugby people. Your mates.
"Not to say that people will just pat you on the back because you have people who will tell you how it is, but they'll give you a real answer.
"If you do that and you're in a good place yourself, then you can deal with it.
"Because there are times where people can say this, that and the other and it just go over your head.
"And there's times where you're not in the best place of all time and you're almost waiting for something to set you off."
Farrell – the Lions' most experienced player – roomed with the squad's youngest in 20-year-old Henry Pollock (above) when the squad were in Canberra to face the ACT Brumbies.
"He's fascinating, fascinating," Farrell said of the rising star of English rugby.
"What did I learn about him that I can tell you? He's brilliant. His energy is nuts. He's always on.
"He's always taking the mick out of people.
"He's got no regard for what anyone's done in the past or anything like that. He looks like he's being himself, which is brilliant."
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Rocco Vata targeting World Cup qualifying role for Ireland
Rocco Vata targeting World Cup qualifying role for Ireland

Irish Daily Mirror

time13 minutes ago

  • Irish Daily Mirror

Rocco Vata targeting World Cup qualifying role for Ireland

Rocco Vata has told Heimir Hallgrimsson that he can offer Ireland something different in World Cup qualifying. The Watford ace won his first senior cap against Bulgaria in March but was among the Championship players left out for June's games against Senegal and Luxembourg. That was a calculated move by Hallgrimsson who didn't want to risk injuries to players from the second tier who were a month out of season. Playmaker Vata will be hoping to force his way back into the mix for September's opening World Cup qualifiers at home to Hungary and away to Armenia. 'It's something I've got my eyes upon,' admitted Vata. 'I need to stay fit and injury free and I'm sure it's something I can achieve.' Vata, 20, will need to hit the ground running when the Championship season begins on August 9. The Hornets are under the management of their new Uruguayan boss Paulo Pezzolano and Vata is getting used to his style, particularly the off-the-ball demands. 'It's going well,' said the attacking midfielder. 'We're learning a new style of play, which has been good but difficult as well. 'The style of play is different, and it's something I need to learn over time. As a team as well, we need to learn the whole structure. There's a lot more off-the-ball responsibility, but I feel like we're getting there now.' And with nine new signings snapped up this summer, Vata added: 'It's almost like a new team! There are a lot of new signings and we will be ready by the start of the season.'

Rookie sensation Lottie Woad wins again as Leona Maguire finishes strong at ISPS Handa Scottish Women's Open
Rookie sensation Lottie Woad wins again as Leona Maguire finishes strong at ISPS Handa Scottish Women's Open

RTÉ News​

time42 minutes ago

  • RTÉ News​

Rookie sensation Lottie Woad wins again as Leona Maguire finishes strong at ISPS Handa Scottish Women's Open

England's Lottie Woad's arrival to the big time continued as she went wire-to-wire to win the ISPS Handa Scottish Women's Open at Dundonald Links, with Ireland's Leona Maguire finishing in a tie for 16th place. The talented English star fired a final round of 68 to hold off South Korea's Hyo-Joo Kim for a three-shot win. It's the twenty-one year old's second victory this month, her first since turning professional, after her KPMG Irish Women's Open triumph at the start of July. Kim had managed to reel in the English golfer midway through the back nine and tie the lead, but Woad kept her composure and finished the stronger down the closing straight. Woad, who was tied for the lead on Thursday alongside Leona Maguire, shot four rounds in the 60s at Dundonald Links en route to victory. With just three bogeys across the 72 holes, Woad was imperious throughout the week and will be aiming to knock off a first major title next week, following a top three finish at the Evian Championships a fortnight ago. #WSO25 — Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) July 27, 2025 Ireland's Leona Maguire battled to a final round of one-under, 71, helped by a fast start on the links. Maguire carded birdies on the first and third holes, with a bogey on the 16th; to finish inside the top 20 on the leaderboard. The Cavan golfer had to battle for the under-par round, only hitting six greens in regulation, but will be pleased with another strong finish ahead of next week's final major, the AIG Women's Open at Royal Porthcawl in Wales. World number one Nelly Korda failed to gain ground on the leaders in the final round and finished in sixth place.

‘Time goes so fast' – Tyson Fury posts incredible throwback from 2013 showing off ripped abs and buzz cut hair
‘Time goes so fast' – Tyson Fury posts incredible throwback from 2013 showing off ripped abs and buzz cut hair

The Irish Sun

timean hour ago

  • The Irish Sun

‘Time goes so fast' – Tyson Fury posts incredible throwback from 2013 showing off ripped abs and buzz cut hair

TYSON FURY posted an incredible throwback from 2013 - when he had ripped abs and a buzz cut hairdo. The Gypsy King, 25 at the time, was a heavyweight contender on the rise only two years away from his 5 Tyson Fury posted an incredible throwback from 2013 Credit: Instagram / @tysonfury 5 He looks totally different 12 years later Credit: Getty Fury - now a two-time heavyweight world champion and legend of British boxing - reflected on his 12-year rise with the throwback picture. He posted: "Throw back 2013. Timegoes so fast, live life and enjoy the now as we spend all our lives looking to the future & forgetting to live in the current time zone. "Life is short enjoy the 1s who count and dont let anything hold you back! be the best version of yourself on the daily, All praise to god in jesus name." Fury dethroned Klitschko of the WBA, IBF and WBO world titles in an iconic 2015 upset in Germany. READ MORE IN BOXING But he dropped all the belts just two years later 30 STONE . Fury returned in 2018 and drew with He lost the gold in May to And after losing the December rematch, Fury, 36, retired a month later. Most read in Boxing CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS But perhaps unsurprisingly - having hung up his gloves four times before - He said: "I do miss it, every single day I wake up in the morning and miss it. Tyson Fury leaps to Daniel Dubois' defence after Oleksandr Usyk defeat "I've been away seven months, missed it everyday. I'm open to offers at the moment. "I'm not going to be doing any comebacks this year, that's for sure. I'm busy as you can see I've got Netflix here. "I'm filming At Home With The Furys season two. Come on! And then next year the big GK is going to make a f***ing comeback. "The takeover! I'm gonna be 37 in about three weeks so I'm going to be the oldest swinger with all these young boys coming up it's going to be difficult. But I believe I can put on some very good nights still." 5 Fury stunned Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 Credit: -- 5 He knocked out Deontay Wilder in 2020 to win the WBC title Credit: Getty 5 Oleksandr Usyk twice beat Fury in 2024 Credit: Getty

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store