Five Lions v Australia talking points as major questions surround Irish stars
The chance is there this Saturday for the tourists to kill off, to take a 2-0 lead in the best of three, series. The Lions are favourites to win even if a worrying drop off and taking some of the metrics from the last half-hour last week suggests the Wallabies could be set for ambush.
We take at five key talking points surrounding selection and Saturday's game in Melbourne (11am Irish, Skysports).
TADHG BEIRNE AND OLLIE CHESSUM SWITCH WAS BRAVE - AND WORTHY
Tadhg Beirne has started five of the eight Tour matches so far including both international games - as a second-row against Argentina and no6 last week against the Wallabies.In between he was blindside no6 for Western Force and Waratahs before lining up at second-row - and captain - against AUNZ. He has not been asked to sit on any bench.Something which, by turn, backed up an idea that surfaced, as people took to making long-range guesses at Andy Farrell First Test XV, through 2023 and 2024.That Beirne might not be the best no6 or one of the best two second-rows in the squad but Farrell would still want him in the side for his uber-efficient breakdown work and leadership which, in his case, were quantifiable qualities.Chessum, 24, has been a breakout star on Tour, an 86 percent tackle, 57 percent gain-line carry success rate, alongside outstanding lineout work from no6, as Maro Itoje and Joe McCarthy dominated the second-row spots.McCarthy's persistent foot injury saw him ruled for Saturday and Farrell, who doesn't use Beirme as a no6 for Ireland anymore, had a choice.He could put Chessum at no6 and Beirne at no5 or Beirne at no6 and Chessum at no5 which was slightly contra Tour logic to here.It's the latter - a worthy, brave call given the way the cards were dealt.
WILL THE REAL JOE SCHIDT STAND UP? Joe Schmidt (Image:)
Joe Schmidt has been taking his fair share of flak in Australia where there is discontent centring on the idea he has undercooked the Wallabies preparation.This has focussed on three specific selection areas; out-half, scrum-half (not least as Schmidt was a scrum-half when he played) and front-row.Picking 22 year-old Tom Lynagh in place of injured first-choice Noah Lolesio for his first start in just his fourth international was a gamble that simply didn't pay off.The Reds no10 looked nervy as Australia lost their way earlier on. Moreover his performance surely wasn't helped by having Jake Gordon as his scrum-half and leaving his far more experienced Reds captain Tate McDermott on the bench.Indeed, it was even suggested Lynagh was such a rookie that irrepressible 35 year-old Nic White, who did so well for Force in the earlier match against the Lions, should have been included.Meanwhile there were front-row problems, albeit an area which has long been a bone of contention on the back of the suspicion their schools rugby is weak in coaching in this area.Those who felt the Lions would put a big emphasis on the front-row were for relying Taniella Tupou aka 'The Tongan Thor' at tight-head to combat this.
Jettisoned early on by Schmidt, Topou came back with a big, big performance for First Nations & Pasifika against the Lions. As interestingly, he was taken in after 46 minutes which suggests he may now be a Third Test possibility.
IT IS OVER A YEAR SINCE PORTER-SHEEHAN-FURLONG HAVE STARTED 1-2-3 ON THE SAME TEAM
There has been concern about the Lions scrummaging from almost day one - all the more shocking as it had almost been taken as a given the touring side would have superiority here.Nerves were hardly settled either when Tuesday's starting front-row Schoeman-George-Bealham were given a hard time, their replacements Ashman-Sutherland-Clarkson also.As it stands of Second Test selection Andrew Porter has been used sparingly to here, a sub against Force, starting against Reds, and then three further sub appearances against Brumbies, AUNZ and Australia.It left the question as to whether he was carrying an injury, judged to be in poor form, or that Ellis Genge had simply been in irresistable form.
Consider this oddity too; the selected Leinster/Ireland unit haven't been on a starting team at either Leinster or Ireland for over 12 months!
The last time they wore 1-2-3 was against world champions South Africa in Pretoria on July 6, 2024. The Springboks won a hard fought game 27-20 with, some might say, two controversial TMO decisions going in their favour.
WALLABIES BOUNCE BACK?
Australia have made three changes to their starting line-up for Saturday's Second Test.The return of fit-again Brumbies back-row Rob Valetini, the John Earles/Australian Player of the Year medal winner in 2023 and 2024, was a no-brainer and seen as a terrific boost for the side.The inclusion of the 33 year-old, six-foot-eight, 21-plus stone Will Skelton hasn't brought anything like that universal approval following an underwhelming season at underperforming La Rochelle.Skelton is a big unit but given the Lions high-tempo game, Jamison Gibson-Park's speed at the breakdown and the desire to get the ball to second-centre, full-back and wingers early and often it is hard work for forwards.Skelton has never particularly prospered against Leinster who work on moving him around and, as Ronan O'Gara pointed out midweek, there are question marks over his fitness as he is returning from injury.The third change sees hooker David Porecki, 32, return. A former Wallaby captain and one of those jettisoned after RWC 2023, he was recalled after an almost two year absence to play the warm-up game against Fiji.Joe Schmidt has opted to roll over the half-back partnership of Tom Lynagah and Jake Gordon despite their being overwhelmed last Saturday.Wallabies: Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter; Tom Lynagh, Jake Gordon;James Slipper, David Porecki, Allan Ala'alatoa, Nick Frost, Will Skelton, Rob Valetini, Fraser McRight, Harry Wilson
Replacements: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson Lions Garry Ringrose is tackled by Charlie Gamble of the First Nations & Pasifika XV (Image: ©INPHO/Tom Maher)
RINGROSE - SURLY NO THIRD TEST, A LAY-OFF, A SABBATICAL, RETIREMENT?
Garry Ringrose was on the verge of achieving the last of his schoolboy rugby dreams, Leinster, Ireland and, lastly, Test rugby for the Lions.So despite being forced to withdraw from the First Test with concussion he was able to return last Tuesday to play and was inked in to start the Second Test..."Garry was actually selected and unfortunately in training today he's had to pull out," said Farrell. "It's head-related again."It was literally as I was walking off the field. He came to me and, once it's mentioned, that's that. There was no incident."He was feeling good, well in advance of Tuesday, and fit and ready to play (against the First Nations and Pasifika XV). No incident through the game at all, nothing yesterday and nothing this morning at all."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, lie and not be honest and open."Australia v British & Irish Lions, MCG, Melbourne, Saturday 26th July, 2025, KO: 11:00 BST/ IST15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/Ireland)14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints/England)13. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)12. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Ireland)11. James Lowe (Leinster/Ireland)10. Finn Russell (Bath/Scotland)9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster/Ireland)1. Andrew Porter (Leinster/Ireland)2. Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Ireland)3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Ireland)4. Maro Itoje (Saracens/England) captain5. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers/England)6. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Ireland)7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks/England)8. Jack Conan (Leinster/Ireland)Replacements:16. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Ireland)17. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears/England)18. Will Stuart (Bath/England)19. James Ryan (Leinster/Ireland)20. Jac Morgan (Ospreys/Wales)21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England)22. Owen Farrell (Saracens/England)
23. Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse/Scotland)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The 42
4 hours ago
- The 42
Pollock earns first enhanced England contract as Farrell misses out
HENRY POLLOCK'S IMPRESSIVE breakout year in international rugby has rewarded the Northampton back-row with an enhanced England contract for the first time. The 20-year-old has made only one England appearance, scoring two tries as a replacement in a 68-14 Six Nations thrashing of Wales in March. But that lone cap off the bench, allied to fine late season form for Northampton, earned Pollock selection for the British and Irish Lions' victorious tour of Australia. Fin Baxter, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ben Curry, Elliot Daly, Joe Heyes, Tom Roebuck, Will Stuart and Tom Willis have also taken up enhanced Elite Player Squad (EPS) deals, which are reported to be worth €170,000. But former England captain Owen Farrell, back in English rugby with Saracens following a brief stint at Paris-based Racing 92, was not on the 25-man list announced by head coach Steve Borthwick on Monday. Advertisement England and Lions captain Maro Itoje, together with fellow Lions tourists Tommy Freeman, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith and Tom Curry are among those retained. The contracts, introduced last year, give England final say over players' medical care and replace match fees with a fixed annual salary. 'I am pleased to name the players who will receive an enhanced EPS contract this season,' said England boss Borthwick. 'These contracts, together with our strong relationship with the Premiership clubs, will continue to play an important role in the ongoing development of England Rugby.' – © AFP 2025
Irish Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Rijeka boss Dalovic insists his side have a battle on their hands against Shels
Rijeka coach Radomir Dalovic is hoping the return of local hero Toni Fruk can save his job as the fall out from their European campaign threatens to engulf the Croatian double-winners. Fruk has been recently drafted into the national squad, a natural no. 10, he is expected to step straight into Luca Modric's position - if the 39-year-old Modric ever retires! "Toni is now in the national team of Croatia and he can go a long way, everything depends of him," says Dalovic of 24-year-old Fruk's potential. READ MORE: This is the Gavin Bazunu save that even had Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson gushing with praise READ MORE: Shels boss Joey O'Brien tells RTE 'doesn't bother me' as national broadcaster snubs big Uefa night "His play is good, not the exact same as Luca's in style, but he has the potential for the future, to be the future of Croatia." Rijeka haven't been having a good week, losing to Shelbourne at home, having taken the lead 1-0, and picking a red card in a league draw at Osijek on Sunday. It would have been nice for the Irish side had that red card, shown to Slovenian international midfielder Dejan Petrovic close to full-time, led to his being unavailable for this tie. But suspensions only apply to the competition they occur in, so Petrovic will join Fruk and 23-year-old Niko Jankovic who emerged as a €5.6m target for Fenerbache this week in the middle of the park. A trio sure to be the Croatian champions' strongest unit and likely to make for hard work for JJ Lunney and Kerr McInroy in the Shels engine room. Coach Dalovic, for sure, is a remarkable character and could surely write the book about playing games in foreign countries. A Montenegrin who played for his country 26 times, he had two spells as a player with Rijeka as part of a career that spanned 17 different clubs and a vast geographical spread. He initially played top-flight Yugoslavia as well as having stints in Germany (with Arminia Bielefeld in the Bundesliga), China, Thailand, Montenegro, Iran, Croatia, Romania and Turkey. He was also linked with Celtic circa 2009 while a deal with Wigan Athletic who were in the Championship at the time, fell through, a step short. What does he make of Shelbourne, of how his first encounter with Irish football went? "Shelbourne are a good team and they played a good game against us so they didn't surprise us in that way. "We had seen they had played good games against Qarabag, that they have this kind of fight, they fight for every ball, they are strong, they run good, a lot, and they have played 27 games in their championship - we have only started to play rounds in our league. "It's good football, and they have good players, but I hope we will be better than we were in the game in Rijeka." Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.
Irish Examiner
5 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Shels at high point of new era aiming to grip the bat lightly
After ripping up the script last week, Shelbourne still need to be word-perfect to write a historic chapter. A club with a trove of memories began this latest journey just under four years ago. Damien Duff assumed control of the team promoted back to the Premier Division, took a scalpel to the squad and it's been incremental progress since. FAI Cup runners-up in 2022, European qualifiers in 2023, top-flight title winners in 2024. Joey O'Brien flanked Duff along the odyssey but now takes charge for arguably the high point of this current run. Cynics were swift to declare the end of this era when the Irish legend walked out of his job on a sunny June morning eight weeks ago at the AUL complex. O'Brien did what has always come naturally by carrying on regardless. Initially as caretaker, Duff's assistant was soon exalted with permanent manager status. Tuesday night against Rijeka will be his 12th game at the helm. Only the swashbuckling Qarabag inflicted defeat on a team he picked and his side confront a schedule capable of turbocharging their season. Last week's 2-1 win in Croatia was a result few saw coming, offering a platform to secure a Europa League playoff spot at home without even having to win over 90 minutes. O'Brien sticking to the line that the Reds remain underdogs despite their lead gains credence when the respective squad values are contrasted. Croatian football, club and international, is streets ahead of Ireland. The only comparison when they're cited as the exemplar for Ireland to replicate is population. Defeat won't be considered a disaster for O'Brien either. By overcoming Linfield in the opening round of the Champions League last month, three lives at reaching the league phase of European competition were granted. This is the second. Failure to maximise their midway advantage would only result in the final parachute being activated – a rematch with either Linfield or Vikingur Gøta for a spot in the Conference League. The Faroese side lead 2-1 heading into Thursday's second leg in Belfast. Irrespective of how this second leg concludes, potentially after extra-time and penalties, Shels will have a playoff next week to determine their league phase route. Prize-money of €3.8m is the crock of gold awaiting. Beyond the European adventure, Shels are well-positioned heading into the final series of nine matches, just four points off second place. There's an FAI Cup last-16 clash at St Patrick's Athletic on Sunday week as well. 'It's not really thinking about what's at stake and what it can do for the club, financial-wise,' reasoned former Ireland defender O'Brien. 'If you start thinking like that, you start gripping the bat too tight. 'It's one of my favourite sayings - you start wondering 'oh, if this happens, we can do this'. 'I just don't think you can play like that. You must have an understanding of what's got you here. It's a big occasion but make sure you're ready to play well and don't have a regret of feeling that I was thinking of what could have been. 'I've told the players to realise these opportunities don't come around too often. You must put your best foot forward and make sure you have no regrets.' Not many in the Shels squad have passed this watershed but centre-back Paddy Barrett has fond memories of reaching the group stage with Dundalk in 2016. A second-leg 3-0 win over BATE Borisov was the glamorous side of a tricky tie. 'We got pumped in the first leg over there, the best 1-0 loss I was ever involved in,' he said, laughing at returning from Belarus relieved. 'There was tension but also confidence because we had a brilliant team. 'This is a big game too with a lot at stake. We know the quality of opposition Rijeka are having got a feel of them over them. Yet we just need to take our own game to them. 'We've worked on some things this week and will have a right crack off them.' Whereas Shels will be missing Seán Boyd from sustaining a calf injury last Wednesday, Rijeka have Toni Fruk returning from suspension. Their €4m recruit from Fiorentina has been linked with a move to RB Leipzig but his club will want a tie-changing impact from their star man first to avoid an embarrassing Europa exit. Europa League, third round, second leg Shelbourne v HNK Rijeka Tolka Park - Tuesday, 7.45pm.
