Andy Farrell opts for power, pace and line-out nous to address Lions issues
After an opener against Argentina that was compromised by domestic finals, Andy Farrell is seeking a response with far closer to a full deck. And the back five of the British and Irish Lions pack indicates that the head coach will resolve matters.
This unit will be critical in the Lions' bid to shore up their line-out while maintaining impressive scrummaging power. In attack, they want punch, pace and variety. Defensively, the Lions need to be nimbler and to make clearer decisions around the breakdown.
While Western Force will not be as dangerous as the intrepid Pumas, Farrell was immensely frustrated with his side's own standards in Dublin. A reaction and a statement performance to get the show on the road will be the desire in Perth.
Cummings can fix scruffy line-out
Three locks, with Tadhg Beirne turning around for a start at blindside flanker to complement Joe McCarthy and Scott Cummings in the engine room, is the clearest concession to the line-out.
With Maro Itoje and Beirne supported by the auxiliary jumping of Tom Curry at the Aviva Stadium, that area was always likely to come under pressure at the Aviva Stadium six days ago. And so it proved. A scruffy operation, disrupted by Argentina, hurt the Lions significantly.
Cummings is regarded as a shrewd caller and has more options to cycle through anyway. The Glasgow Warriors and Scotland man is an excellent mauler on both sides of the ball and is bound to pick up plenty of touches when the Lions are in possession. He is a deft handler as well.
Scott Cummings has been called up to the British & Irish Lions squad for the summer tour to Australia.
Hopefully this video gives an insight into why he was included! https://t.co/BjvzJyDuxp pic.twitter.com/RmxkOXjSzc
— Andrew Forde (@andrewfrugby) May 13, 2025
Farrell deploys his big-ball enforcer
An explosive athlete weighing 124kg, McCarthy represents Farrell's most obvious enforcer. Given the Wallabies seem likely to pick Will Skelton, a bopping lock to solidify the scrums and whack bodies around the pitch will be an asset to the Lions.
There were periods against the Pumas when the Lions grew overly lateral. McCarthy is an anecdote to that tendency; an imposing, north-south runner accustomed to Farrell's phase-play patterns as well as the quirky strike plays of Andrew Goodman.
Josh van der Flier, an industrious openside packing understated power, offers the same familiarity. Fans of American football might call him a 'system player', and there is no shame in that. One suspects the Lions will endeavour to develop the tactical principles that were in evidence against Argentina.
Leinster are starting to find their stride now! 🔵
A brilliant powerful finish from Josh van der Flier 💥 #InvestecChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/qRO3wcfuc6
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) May 3, 2025
Pollock given a redemption chance
This brings us to Henry Pollock. His selection to start at the base of the scrum, ahead of in-form Jack Conan, is more than a clever piece of man management imploring him to get back on the horse after a disappointing cameo in Dublin that featured a costly missed tackle on Tomas Albornoz.
Farrell does not have out-and-out speedsters in his backline and will expect wings, Mack Hansen and James Lowe, to roam into midfield incessantly as link men. In turn, Pollock will hug touchlines and aim to showcase his pace in open space. Do not be at all surprised if he is in the tries.
There may be concern that Pollock is deployed at No 8 rather than openside flanker. As ever, this is a question of sharing responsibilities. Pollock's quieter games for Northampton Saints, such as the Investec Champions Cup final against Union Bordeaux-Bègles, have been when he has needed to front up in crowded channels.
Here, he should not have to do that too much. Pierre Schoeman, Tadhg Furlong, McCarthy and Van der Flier are far better suited to heavy traffic and will occupy the three-and two-man pods in the middle of the pitch. Pollock, consequently, will have greater scope to migrate out wide. And, with Finn Russell at fly-half, the Lions are bound to put air on the ball.
As part of a heavy set of forwards, Pollock's mobility is just as valuable in defence. He and Van der Flier are bound to be towards the top of the Lions' tackle count in Perth. The pair share mutual respect and should dovetail nicely. After the Champions Cup semi-final, Van der Flier gave an insightful interview in which he praised Pollock's jackalling aggression while hinting that the 20-year-old might one day need to refine his approach to stay on the right side of referees.
Lions improvising at six
It is interesting that Beirne is the first of the potential lock-flankers to wear six on this trip. He fulfilled this role for Ireland three times last season, in the autumn fixtures against New Zealand, Argentina and Australia. None were vintage team performances and Beirne started at lock exclusively in the Six Nations. Without a rangy specialist back-rower like Ryan Baird or even Ted Hill, the Lions are improvising a touch in this position
Ollie Chessum, among the Lions replacements, has also gravitated towards the second row since Eddie Jones suggested he could be an heir to Courtney Lawes. His single start of last season at blindside flanker came for Leicester Tigers in Toulouse, with the hosts running riot to win 80-12. Chessum undoubtedly has the class to push for the Test 23 and may well get a run at blindside flanker in a later tour game. The No 19 shirt is a good starting point
McCarthy's ballast and bristling dynamism are X-factor qualities. The 24-year-old could be a critical figure for this group and has tended to be accompanied by a springy six, either Peter O'Mahony or Baird, for Ireland and Leinster. The Lions are attempting to strike that sort of balance.
This selection against the Force, then, is both a push for impetus and a first trial of a back-five arrangement that could underpin Farrell's plans for the Test series.
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