Jamie Osborne among four Irish to start for Lions against First Nations and Pasifika XV
and
Thomas Clarkson
are set to make their debuts for the
British and Irish Lions
in the tourists' final midweek game against the First Nations and Pasifika XV in Melbourne's Marvel Stadium on Tuesday (kick-off 8pm local time/11am Irish).
Osborne is named at outside centre, partnering
Owen Farrell
in midfield, and is one of four Irish players named in the Lions' starting XV along with Finlay Bealham, James Ryan and Josh van der Flier up front.
Farrell, called up as a replacement for Elliot Daly for his fourth Lions tour, has been named as captain by his father Andy in what will be the player's 20th Lions appearance.
Clarkson is included among the replacements to cap his breakthrough season, as is
Garry Ringrose
, which suggests the Irish outside centre is under serious consideration for Saturday's second Test in front of a 90,000-plus crowd at the MCG. Ringrose missed the last Saturday's 29-17 win over the Wallabies in the first Test through the delayed concussion he suffered in the win over the Brumbies almost two weeks ago.
READ MORE
Osborne and Clarkson will thus become take Ireland's representation on this tour to 18 players, of which 14 are from Leinster.
Mack Hansen
, who was also ruled out of consideration for the first Test due to the foot injury he sustained in the win over an Invitational XV in Adelaide last Saturday week, is the only player in the expanded 45-man squad not to feature either last Saturday or in this game against the Pasifika XV.
Blair Kinghorn returns from the knee injury he suffered against the Brumbies to start at full-back in an all-Scottish back three featuring Darcy Graham (also making his Lions debut) and Duhan van der Merwe. Another Scot, Nick White, will partner Fin Smith at half-back.
Bealham will make his third Lions start alongside Pierre Schoeman and Jamie George, a veteran of the last two tours who who will make his 11th appearance in the Lions' red jersey after earning a late call-up. Ryan has also been afforded his third Lions start alongside Scott Cummings, as is van der Flier, who last started against the Waratahs 2½ weeks ago, as the other open side, Jac Morgan, starts at six with Henry Pollock at number eight.
There are another couple of recent Scottish call-ups in line for their Lions debuts off the bench: hooker Ewan Ashman and lock Gregor Brown. The only players from the match-day 23 in the first Test being asked to back up are the reserve half-backs Alex Mitchell and Marcus Smith.
BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS
: B Kinghorn (Toulouse/Scotland), D Graham (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland), J Osborne (Leinster Rugby/Ireland), O Farrell (Saracens/England),D van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland), F Smith (Northampton Saints/England), B White (Toulon/Scotland); P Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland), J George (Saracens/England), F Bealham (Connacht Rugby/Ireland), J Ryan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland), S Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland), J Morgan (Ospreys/Wales), J van der Flier (Leinster Rugby/Ireland), H Pollock (Northampton Saints/England)
Replacements
: E Ashman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland), R Sutherland (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland), T Clarkson (Leinster Rugby/Ireland), G Brown (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland), B Earl (Saracens/England), A Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England), M Smith (Harlequins/ England), G Ringrose (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
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Irish Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ireland stars running out of time to make Lions' second Test v Australia
Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen are major doubts for the Lions' second Test against Australia on Ireland duo took no part today n either the 24-19 victory over First Nations/Pasifika at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium or in the training session for those involved in the first Test win in Brisbane last lock McCarthy is suffering from plantar fasciitis, a foot injury, after coming off just 43 minutes into that first Test, while Connacht winger Hansen missed out on that game with a foot injury of his own picked up in the victory over AUNZ.'He hasn't trained so far but with the nature of the week, which is a bit different, we'll see how he is for Thursday," said Farrell in relation to McCarthy."Mack's progressing. Whether he's progressing quick enough we'll see. Everyone's always different. How they progress through whatever, getting through the next stages and stuff. Sometimes something flares up and it might take a day or two to settle down and then off they go so we'll stay open minded about those two.'We'll see how people wake up in the morning. Things always change when you wake up in the morning from a match and get information you don't have the night before. We have got the day off tomorrow so it gives us a bit of space.' The Lions will resume training on Thursday and Lions boss Andy Farrell will reveal his second Test matchday 23 afterwards. If McCarthy doesn't make it, Farrell could move Tadhg Beirne to the second row. But it is more likely he will keep the faith with last week's highly effective back row unit of Beirne, Tom Curry and Jack Conan. If he does, England's Ollie Chessum will partner Maro Itoje. Garry Ringrose will still hope for involvement despite having to play 65 minutes today after Scotland's Darcy Graham was injured. Very few Lions hopefuls put their hands up for Test inclusion in a niggly, close encounter. Darcy Graham is consoled by Garry Ringrose as leaves the field with an injury (Image: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland) But Ringrose's return to fitness after concussion ruled him out of the first meeting with the Wallabies provides a selection headache for Farrell. 'I thought he performed really well, so some real good positives as far as that is concerned," Farrell must decide whether to start with the Irish centre partnership of Ringrose and Bundee Aki or retain the Scotland pair Sene Tuipulotu and Huw Jones. Owen Farrell, who skippered the Lions yesterday, is tipped for a bench role after an assured display that showcased his leadership Hugo Keenan could come under pressure for the full-back jersey from Blair Kinghorn, The Scot proved his fitness after a knee injury kept him out of the Brisbane victory. Farrell praised the contribution of Naas' Jamie Osborne, who scored two tries on his Lions debut. "For his first time wearing the shirt, I thought he was very good, there were some nice individual performances out there," he said. "I thought 14 points up and finding space everywhere, we started to play the game a little bit like an exhibition match and it was never going to be like that." Farrell is expecting a reaction from Schmidt's Wallabies. "If you can't get up for what's coming, we're all in the wrong place," he declared. "To me, this is the biggest game of our lives, every one of us, that's part of our squad so we'll make sure that we address the week like that." Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.
Irish Times
6 hours ago
- Irish Times
Garry Ringrose keeps his head level and his hand up for second Test selection
As well as being a seriously talented, committed and professional footballer, Garry Ringrose has always been a very even-tempered and level-headed team man, a trait which must have served him particularly well in the last couple of weeks. Ringrose had looked on course to be the starting outside centre for the Test series when he last spoke post-match in the media mixed zone a fortnight ago in Canberra after the Lions' win over the Brumbies. He'd scored his third try in three games, but later that night and the following day Ringrose felt not quite right and after concussion was diagnosed, he had to observe a 12-day return to play protocol. That ruled him out of the first Test and though named on the bench in Tuesday's win over the First Nations and Pasifika XV, the plan probably wasn't for him to play 63 minutes. But his performance will have given Andy Farrell every reason to pick Ringrose at outside centre against Australia in Saturday's second Test at the MCG. That extended shift, alas, was due to Darcy Graham's misfortune, which rather took the gloss off Ringrose's night. READ MORE 'It was gutting to see Darcy go off and you could see how much it meant to him, which I think hits home after the game because it's easy to think just about the game – 'ah, it's a close one and there's loads of stuff we can do better'. 'But then when you think about something like that, how tough it is on him, how much it means to him, how proud he should be to get his first Lions cap it kind of puts everything into perspective,' said Ringrose The Leinster and Ireland centre spoke about his own evident joy at playing in his fourth non-Test match as a pinch-me-I-must-be-dreaming moment and, of course, his boyish enjoyment of being part of this Lions tour is all the more real after unluckily missing out on the last two. He also probably applied the same kind of balanced attitude when he missed out on the chance of playing in the first Test. Garry Ringrose in action for the Lions during the game against the First Nations and Pasifika XV in Melbourne. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho 'After that something wasn't sitting right,' he said in regards to the post-Brumbies mixed zone. 'Then I spoke with the doc and he was really helpful and supportive over the next day as well. I didn't quite feel right so we made a call to enter the protocol and do what the medics and Andy wants. It's a tough decision to make but they only want what's best for the player, so it is nice having that support.' As for dealing with the disappointment, he reasoned: 'I guess it's the nature of the beast. If you weren't dealing with that little battle there's some other little battle that one's dealing with. And everyone has their own story that they're trying to do themselves proud for their team-mates, and family, so we're all in the same boat in that regard.' Plenty of ball came Ringrose's way and he showed up well in what was an unexceptional Lions win against the composite side. 'It wasn't a pretty game but when it's a good win it's never as good a win as you think it is, and when maybe the performance isn't at the level you want it to be it's never as bad as you think it is. That's probably what I've learned. So, keen to review and see where we can better and still to get a win is the bottom line and we're happy with that.' His introduction meant Jamie Osborne shifted to the right wing, where he scored his second try on debut, and more than justified his call-up. 'It doesn't surprise me,' said Ringrose and recalled Osborne coming through the Leinster academy. 'You're training with him for a year or two and you could just see [he had] something. So absolutely delighted for him and his family as well. Called in late and then to fit in, from Irish camp to fit in. It just doesn't surprise me. The quality of person he is, the quality of player he is to deliver like that. It's cool.' But it meant Ringrose played alongside Owen Farrell , a player he has long admired. Listening to Ringrose discuss the team's captain for the night, the respect Farrell junior commands as a leader is palpable. Garry Ringrose chats to Owen Farrell during the Lions' game against the First Nations and Pasifika XV. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho 'It was a challenging turnaround from the first Test, then you're travelling, then your captain's run. He didn't miss a beat in that leadership and bringing players with him,' said Ringrose, becoming effusive by his standards. 'When he talks, everyone listens. What he's saying is the right pitch and hits the spot every time, and I could feel it out there as well. That's not even talking about the rugby side of things. 'His ability at the line because he's that kind of 10/12, similar to the [Scottish] lads, physicality at the line when it's needed. What else?' asks Ringrose aloud, and picks out more examples, before concluding: 'In big moments, he's someone who consistently delivers and he delivered today.' Ringrose's balanced attitude and contentment is helped by having so many family here in Melbourne. 'My wife Ellen, my young fella Freddy, my folks Niall and Ann, two brothers Karl and Jack, then I have some family in Melbourne as well. A good crew. It was cool seeing them after the game. My dad's sister and a couple of cousins.' That will keep him both happy and motivated, and will ease any pain if the ill-timed concussion ahead of the first Test and the 65-minute shift now counts against him. Ringrose was asked when the players will be told the team for the second Test, he seemed genuinely truthful when smiling and answering: 'I dunno. I really dunno.' Likewise, he laughed off any notion of sleepless nights. 'Not really, because everyone is there for the team and I've been lucky enough to work with Faz and a couple of coaches for so long that I've just complete trust in their decision-making and back whatever it is, and wherever my role fits in. Then, as I say, go all in on that.' Yep, Ringrose's equilibrium really does serve him well.
Irish Times
8 hours ago
- Irish Times
Andy Farrell more optimistic on fitness of Joe McCarthy than Mack Hansen for second Lions Test
Andy Farrell sounded marginally more optimistic about Joe McCarthy than Mack Hansen being fit and in consideration for the Lions' second Test against Australia in Melbourne next Saturday following the tourists' 24-19 win over the First Nations and Pasifika XV at Marvel Stadium on Tuesday. Hansen was ruled out of the Lions' first Test win last Saturday in Brisbane and this latest midweek win due to the foot injury he suffered in his starring role against an Invitational XV in Adelaide a week previously, and still hasn't trained this week. 'Mack's progressing. Whether he's progressing quick enough we'll see towards the end of the week,' said Farrell, which did not sound too optimistic for the Connacht winger's chances of being in the mix for next Saturday. By contrast, with regard to McCarthy, the Lions head coach said: 'He hasn't trained so far but with the nature of the week, which is a bit different, we will see how he is for Thursday.' Asked whether he thought the Leinster and Irish lock could be contention to retain his place, Farrell said: 'Hopefully.' READ MORE One would also venture that as McCarthy contributed significantly to such a strong performance by the starting pack in the first Test, they need for him to train on Thursday, as Wednesday will be an down day as such. 'Everyone's always different,' admitted Farrell. 'How they progress through whatever, getting through the next stages and stuff. Sometimes something flairs up and it might take a day or two to settle down and then off they go. So we'll stay open-minded about those two.' Farrell has been handed another welcome selection dilemma by Garry Ringrose producing another solid outing after replacing the unfortunate Darcy Graham at the end of the first quarter due to an ankle injury which will require a scan. 'He is devastated, but to become a Lions and score a try as well, he should be unbelievably proud of himself,' said Farrell. Garry Ringrose is tackled by Charlie Gamble of the First Nations and Pasifika XV. Photograph: Tom Maher/Inpho Having been ruled out of the first Test with concussion, Ringrose must have every chance of being named to start at outside centre when Farell unveils his hand on Thursday afternoon, Thursday morning Ireland time, and this in turn could see Bundee Aki promoted as well. Asked about Ringrose, the head coach said: 'I thought he performed really well, so some real good positives as far as that is concerned. Jamie Osborne, for his first time wearing the shirt, I thought he was very good. So were others. Ben White has not been around for too long, I thought he controlled the game really well. There were some nice individual performances out there.' Farrell also confirmed that Marcus Smith passed his HIA 'He is fine, he has passed everything.' Even so, as well as Ringrose and Aki, both Blair Kinghorn and the coach's son, Owen, proved their wellbeing with 80-minute shifts despite the Scottish fullback coughing up two intercepts, the first of which proved costly and pivotal. Farrell junior showed some classy touches in his 20th Lions outing, albeit his father was as uncomfortable as ever when asked to analyse his son's latest performance. 'Some good things obviously, a nice little chip off the left peg,' he said with a smile in reference to his son's left-footed grubber for the opening try by Osborne. 'Some nice touches on the ball as well but always work-ons, there are always work-ons.' Blair Kinghorn in action for the Lions during their match against the First Nations and Pasifika XV in Melbourne. Photograph:Farrell junior said: 'We were delighted to get the win in the end. There were things we addressed at half-time and some things we put a lot of effort into that might get seen as little things, but ended up winning us that game. So delighted with that. On Lions tours there are all sorts of players you look forward to playing with and Garry would definitely be one of them.' As this was Farrell junior's first time captaining the Lions, it also led to the Kodak moment of father and son alongside each other at the post-match media briefing in their capacity as head coach and captain. Farrell senior said this was something they might reflect upon after the third Test but for the moment he was trying to maintain a businesslike, coach-captain relationship, rather than father-son. Farrell senior admitted he has a number of selection headaches. 'It has always been about the squad and we will assess where everyone is at. It is a different week for us with this game in between Test matches. We get to have a day off tomorrow and roll into work Thursday/Friday and see where we are at. As well as Ringrose and maybe Aki in midfield, it's likely that Kinghorn could come into the matchday 23 at either fullback, wing or as a replacement, and in tandem with Farrell junior that would cover all bases as well as giving the team some more bite and leadership in the last quarter after the Wallabies had the better bench impact in the first Test. The head coach admitted that the Liions will need to be a good deal better in 'plenty' of areas if they are to win the second Test and clinch a series win for what he said will be the biggest game of their lives. 'There will have to be plenty to get to the point where a win's on the cards because we know that Australia are going to be ... can you put a percentage on it, it's going to be a lot. If you can't get up for what's coming, we're all in the wrong place. To me, this is the biggest game of our lives, every one of us, that's part of our squad so we'll make sure that we address the week like that.'
