Garry Ringrose withdrawn from Lions squad due to concussion
However, the concussion symptoms that ruled Ringrose out of the 27-19 victory in the first Test returned during Thursday's final training session.
Farrell was leaving the practise field to officially announce the team when Ringrose self-reported the setback, resulting in the late change to the Lions' midfield plans. The symptoms resurfaced despite the Ireland star playing 64 minutes in his comeback against the First Nations and Pasifika XV on Tuesday.
It means Jones continues at outside centre and is joined by Aki in a repeat of the combination that started the 52-12 rout of Queensland Reds on July 2. Aki has been brought in due to Tuipulotu being ruled out by a tight hamstring.
'Garry was actually selected and unfortunately after training he's had to pull out,' Farrell said.
'It's head-related again. It was literally as I was walking off the field. He came to me, and once that's mentioned, that's that.
'There was no incident. He was feeling good well in advance of Tuesday. He was fit and ready to play.
'There was no incident through the game on Tuesday at all, nothing yesterday (Wednesday) and nothing this morning, but with these type of things players are getting very good at telling the truth of how they feel, so it was a no-brainer to make the change straight away.
'It's very easy to keep it to yourself and lie and not be honest and open. It was very big of him and the right thing to do, 100 per cent. For the team as well, not just for Garry.
'It's unfortunate for Garry but we've always said it's about the squad, and nothing but about the squad.'
Owen Farrell has been named on the bench as fly-half and inside centre cover in what is set to be his first Test appearance since helping England finish third at the 2023 World Cup.
Farrell is joined amongst the replacements by Blair Kinghorn, who ousts Marcus Smith from the same back three cover role after proving his fitness against the First Nations and Pasifika XV on Tuesday. Kinghorn missed the first Test because of a knee injury.
Aki's promotion to the starting XV is one of three changes to the side that prevailed in Brisbane.
Joe McCarthy has lost his battle with a foot injury so Ollie Chessum is brought into the second row and Andrew Porter comes in for Ellis Genge at loosehead prop.
There is Welsh representation in the matchday 23 for the first time in the series after Jac Morgan was preferred ahead of Ben Earl the back row reinforcement.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
19 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Euro 2025 prize money as Lionesses seek record-breaking payday in final vs Spain
England face Spain in the final of the 2025 Women's European Championship in Basel, Switzerland on Sunday, and Sarina Wiegman's team will bank a huge sum if they win England and Spain will meet in the final of Euro 2025 on Sunday and the winning team will receive a record-breaking amount of prize money. The Lionesses are through to their third successive major tournament final under Sarina Wiegman, having won the last edition of the Women's European Championship in 2022 on home soil. But they were unable to follow it up by winning the 2023 World Cup, as Spain came out on top in Australia. Now England are out for revenge, having been on a rollercoaster ride in Switzerland. After starting their title defence with a loss to France, Wiegman's side recovered to win their final two group games, booking a quarter-final tie with Sweden. England produced a late comeback to take the game to extra-time and penalties before winning a farcical penalty shootout. That booked a semi-final tie in Italy in which England also went behind and came back again. Michelle Agyemang's 97th-minute equaliser rescued the Lionesses at the death and fellow substitute Chloe Kelly scored deep into extra-time to snatch a 2-1 victory. Now, in Basel, it's tournament favourites Spain who stand in England's way of history. And to the victor will go the spoils. Ahead of the tournament, UEFA confirmed a record prize pot of €41million (£34m). That's a whopping 156 per cent increase on the Euro 2022 prize money when it was only €16m (£13.9m). The FA received just over €2m (£1.7m) when the Lionesses won the tournament but they'll bank a cool total of €5.1m (£4.4m) should they beat Spain. That's the accumulation of performance bonuses and the €1.8m (£1.5m) awarded to every nation who qualified for the 16-team tournament. Who'll win the final of Euro 2025 - England or Spain? Give us your prediction in the comments section. England's players will also bank millions in FA bonus payments, sponsorship and endorsement deals as well as social media pay if they reign victorious. The squad would share a £1.7m bonus from the FA, with each player due to receive £73,000. It represents an £18,000 increase on what England's players received from their triumph in 2022. FA chiefs will have no problem paying out more bonuses if England are successful again under Wiegman, who's under contract until the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. The Dutch tactician is the only manager in the men's or women's game to have reached the final at all five major tournaments in which she's coached, having previously been in charge of the Netherlands.
Scottish Sun
20 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Legendary BBC commentator Ray French known as the ‘Voice of Rugby League' dies aged 85 as tributes pour in
The star had been battling with health issues in recent years ICON GONE Legendary BBC commentator Ray French known as the 'Voice of Rugby League' dies aged 85 as tributes pour in Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LEGENDARY rugby commentator Ray French has died at the age of 85, the BBC confirmed today. The beloved broadcaster, who suffered from dementia in recent years, became known as the Voice of Rugby League after 30 years on the Beeb. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Ray French was one of the Beeb's top broadcasters Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 4 The star had been battling with dementia in recent years Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Born in St Helens in 1939, Ray played for the England team in the Rugby Union before league. He played four of England's matches in the 1962 Five Nations Championships. He earned Great Britain four caps over his career before, as well as winning five finals in six seasons with the Saints as a back-rower. In 1968, he featured in two Test wins against France before playing for his country at the World Cup against Australia and New Zealand, that same year. Read More on UK News LAST RITES Ozzy Osbourne's book will be published 'uncensored' after rock legend's death However, he is most known for being one of the most famous rugby broadcasters in the country. Ray had become the voice of the Rugby League, eventually earning him an MBE in 2011. He had succeeded broadcasting icon Edding Waring in the role, when he took on the job in 1981 - remaining on the air for almost 40 years. In recent years, the star had sadly been battling with dementia before he passed away at the age of 85. The BBC will be airing a re-run of a 2016 episode of Rugby League Heroes which features Ray. The special show will be broadcast on Radio Humberside and BBC Sounds in tribute to the star. Inside Scotland and Lions hero's stunning house that boasts giant basement room with bar for FIFTY people to party Tributes to the star flooded in, after RL Cares announced the news on X. The post read: "Sad news Ray French MBE, the former St Helens, Widnes and Great Britain international & for many years the voice of rugby league on the BBC passed away earlier today. "Ray, who has been suffering from dementia in recent years, was 85. Thoughts are with Ray's family." Jonathan Davies, the former Widnes and Great Britain star, also joined in on paying tribute to Ray. He wrote: "Really sad news of the passing of my friend and legend rugby player and broadcaster. "I know Ray had not been well for a while so I hope he passed peacefully. "Had many great days with Ray he was such a lovely man.I hope the RL appreciated what great work did for the game. "RIP Ray my condolences to all your family and friends." 4 Ray played Rugby for End and won several prestigious accolades Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Ray's successor, Dave Woods, has also taken to X to share his heartwarming experiences with the star. Dave said: 'So many fabulous memories of Ray as both friend and colleague. "He injected incredible warmth and passion in his commentary and journalism. "Just a wonderful, kind and humble man. "You always wanted to be in his company.' Jonathan Davies, Ray's famous co-commentator, described his friend as doing "great work". He said: 'Had many great days with Ray he was such a lovely man. "I hope the RL appreciated what great work did for the game.' Tributes have continued to pour in, with Barrie McDermott - the longtime Sky Sports pundit - saying that Ray was a "genuine legend". Barrie wrote: "Really sad news. "A genuine rugby league legend and the voice of our sport for so many. "A master of his trade, a man who had time for everyone. "Always good with me, generous with his advice and kind with his time. "Thoughts with his family and many friends. Rest In Peace Ray." 4 Ray French was known as the Voice of the Rugby League Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
Glasgow Times
20 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Andy Farrell and Joe Schmidt disagree over ref call as Lions clinch series win
The Lions clinched a 29-26 victory in the second Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground but there was high drama in the closing seconds as the match officials examined a potentially-dangerous clearout by Jac Morgan earlier in the move. Captains Harry Wilson and Maro Itoje attempted to influence referee Andrea Piardi during the decision-making process before it was eventually judged that Morgan's contact with Carlo Tizzano was legal. Full time scenes in Melbourne 🥹🦁#Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 26, 2025 If Keenan's try had been chalked off, the series would have gone to a decider in Sydney next Saturday. Instead, the Lions have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead. 'It was a brilliant clearout. I couldn't understand what they were going back for,' Lions head coach Farrell said. 'They seem to go back for absolutely everything these days, don't they? I'm so pleased that the referee held his nerve. The right decision in my opinion.' Furious Australia boss Schmidt felt the outcome reached by Piardi was at odds with the game's push to improve player safety and accused the Italian of failing to implement the laws. Dan Sheehan crossed over for the Lions' opening try (David Davies/PA) 'Just watch the footage,' said Schmidt, who insisted the incident taking place in the final minute influenced the verdict. 'You just have to read law 9.20 and you just have to listen to the description from the referee and then watch the footage when two players are described as arriving at the same time. 'You cannot hit someone above the levels of the shoulders and there's no bind with the left arm, his hand is on the ground. That's what we have seen. 'We have watched a number of replays from different angles so it is what it is. We just have to accept it. 'Players make errors. Match officials make errors. Our perspective is we felt it was a decision that doesn't really live up to the big player safety push that they are talking about. Schmidt also placed a spotlight on Dan Sheehan's 16th-minute try when he took a quick tap penalty and crossed the whitewash by launching himself into the air. The try was allowed to stand because he dived while in the act of scoring, but Schmidt insisted the fact he was airborne made him virtually impossible to stop. 'World Rugby are trying to make sure that we are tackling lower and so we had two tacklers going in to tackle low – and he dived and scored,' the Kiwi said. 'He is pretty much head first so what do we do to stop him scoring apart from stopping his head? There's not much else you can do.' Farrell declared that winning the series is 'what dreams are made of', while Itoje targeted a whitewash of the Wallabies. 'When we first met, big Faz made the call. He wanted us to come here and win everything,' Itoje said. 'So don't get me wrong, we're absolutely delighted with the result, but we want to go again next weekend.'
