Lions boss makes call on son, Wallabies set for opener

Perth Now

5 days ago

Andy Farrell is set to overlook son and four-time tourist Owen for the British and Irish Lions' series opener in Brisbane.
But the Wallabies are poised to create some family history of their own with 22-year-old flyhalf Tom Lynagh tipped to wear the No.10 on Saturday, 36 years after champion father Michael did the same.
The sides will confirm their squads on Thursday afternoon but it's expected former England captain Farrell will be beaten to a spot on the bench by countryman Marcus Smith.
Farrell was a late call-up after Elliot Daly's (arm) tour-ending injury, despite not playing international rugby for nearly two years and enduring an injury-hit season in France with Racing 92.
But he impressed off the bench in Saturday's thrashing of the AUNZ Invitational XV and looked a chance to provide cover in the centres and No.10 for the Test opener.
"I'd pick him. It's not my job, but I know how much of a competitor he is," Wallabies lock Will Skelton, who won the English Premiership in 2018 and 2019, and 2019 European Cup alongside him at Saracens, said.
"You could see how well he played on the weekend after a few months off. He hadn't been playing much, but we'll be ready if he does play.
"He's demanding and has high standards. That's what you want in a team."
But father and coach Farrell has reportedly instead favoured fellow Englishman Smith, who can play fullback or flyhalf.
Finn Russell is set to wear the No.10, with Irish duo Jamison Gibson-Park and Hugo Keenan in the No.9 and 15, and Russell's Scottish teammates Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones in the centres.
But exciting flanker Henry Pollock, who boasts just one Test for England earlier this year, has also reportedly missed a spot on the bench.
Italy-born, England-raised Lynagh finished school and moved to Australia in 2021 and has flourished under Wallabies coach-in-waiting Les Kiss as the Queensland Reds' main man for the last two years.
He boasts just three Test appearances off the bench and is tipped to be named alongside veteran scrumhalf Jake Gordon in a fresh halves pairing for the crucial first Test.
Michael won a World Cup for the Wallabies and wore the No.10 against the Lions in 1989.
They would be the first father and son to play for the Wallabies against the Lions in 126 years of touring history.
Skelton is set to return after missing the Wallabies' only lead-in Test but influential backrower Rob Valetini (calf) was less likely to be back in a blow to the side's crucial ball-carrying stocks.
Reds hooker Matt Faessler, who scored a historic hattrick in his last Test appearance, is also poised to return after he started for the Reds instead of playing against Fiji in his return from a hamstring injury.