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Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Lions man was 'as close as you could imagine' to starting first Australia Test
Andy Farrell admits Jac Morgan was 'as close as you could imagine' to being selected in the British & Irish Lions' starting XV for the opening Test against Australia this weekend. An in-form Morgan produced a man-of-the-match display against the Queensland Reds and had been tipped by many to start at seven over the more experienced Tom Curry, who is enjoying his second Lions tour. But the 25-year-old flanker, the only Welshman remaining following Tomos Williams' return home through injury, misses out altogether for the first contest against the Wallabies, with Farrell instead opting for a back-row of Tadhg Beirne, Curry and Jack Conan. England duo Ollie Chessum and Ben Earl have been selected on the bench at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium, where the Lions will look to take a 1-0 lead in this summer's eagerly anticipated three-match series. Elsewhere, Farrell has named an all-Scottish fly-half-centre combination of Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones, while Ireland's Joe McCarthy has been given the nod at lock alongside captain Maro Itoje. On his decision to go with a back-row of Beirne, Curry and Conan, Farrell explained: 'I suppose that's the hotly contested one. 'It's the part of the side that has been talked about for quite some time and rightly so because of the quality that we've got there. Starting XI: Keenan, Freeman, Jones, Tuipulotu, Lowe, Russell, Gibson-Park; Genge, Sheehan, Furlong. Itoje, McCarthy, Beirne, Curry, Conan Replacements: Kelleher, Porter, Stuart, Chessum, Earl, Mitchell, M Smith, Aki 'Obviously, we feel that's the right balance for the first Test and the combination of Tadhg [Beirne] being the player that he is as far as his quality in the set piece, but also his all-round ability on the floor as a jackler or a ball-playing six. 'I think he complements Jack [Conan] in a similar regard, but Tom [Curry] being the engine that we all know you need in Test rugby.' Asked how close Morgan was to being included, Farrell replied: 'As close as you could imagine. Look, you're actually gutted for players like that. 'Josh [van der Flier] as well, and Henry [Pollock] as well, because they're playing good rugby and could easily be in this side on Saturday. But I suppose that shows the good place that we're at as a group.' Bundee Aki – who is on his second Lions tour – has to settle for a place amongst the substitutes in Brisbane. Meanwhile, there is no place for Garry Ringrose in Farrell's 23 following his concussion in the win over the ACT Brumbies. On his starting centre partnership of Tuipulotu and Jones, Farrell said: 'It isn't just the combinations, it's what is happening off the bench and the impact they can have at any given time. 'I've said before that there's absolutely no doubt that Bundee can play with Huw and he's obviously played with Sione [Tuipulotu] as well, but it's just making sure we get the impact that we need at any given time as well. 'I suppose those three that are starting do know each other, but they also know the way that this team wants to play.' Having received a late call-up Down Under, Owen Farrell impressed coming off the bench for his first match of the tour against AUNZ Invitational. But Farrell has been overlooked for the first Test and it appears the veteran England fly-half could be in line to start against First Nations & Pasifika XV next week. 'He was in contention as far as it was there for a debate, in regards to should he or shouldn't he, just like the rest of them,' Farrell responded when asked whether his son was in the mix for the 23. 'But we feel that Tuesday will be good for somebody like Owen.' Farrell's men do battle with a First Nations & Pasifika XV next Tuesday before resuming the Test series with Australia in Melbourne on July 26. Joe Schmidt's Wallabies side will then play host to the Lions for the third and final Test of the tour in Sydney a week later. Should Jac Morgan be starting the first Test? For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
The pivotal British & Irish Lions pick that could undo Australia in first Test
If the task of selecting any international side involves a head coach blending art and science, then the job of nailing down a British and Irish Lions Test team is a lot like alchemy, an exploration of the unknown pursued in the hope of finding a magical elixir. For Andy Farrell, this has been a unique challenge; with the quadrennial tourists, there can be no thought given to fixtures of the future – just the task at hand of three Tests against Australia in which his Lions legacy will be defined. Unanimity of approving voices is an impossible pursuit, proud patriots, dissidents and detractors sure to argue the case of those excluded regardless of the actual composition. Take, for example, the exclusion from the first Test of the unfortunate Jac Morgan, which leaves the Lions without a Welshman for the first time since the 19th century – on form, the scavenging openside has probably been the best No 7 on tour but misses out to Tom Curry, already a three-time Test Lion and the sort of big match animal the Lions will feel they need against the Wallabies. Morgan and the rest of those excluded will cross their fingers that a chance will come: 32 players were used across the three Tests on the Lions' last trip here, and 31 made appearances against the Springboks four years ago. Those picked cannot afford to simply count their blessings and cruise through – Peter O'Mahony captained the side to defeat in the first Test against New Zealand in 2017 and never wore the famous red shirt again. 'There's obviously scope for all sorts of things to happen in the next few weeks,' Farrell suggested. 'But these guys who are renting the shirt on Saturday, they have a responsibility to perform, to put themselves in the best place to wear it again in the second Test and therefore in the third Test.' Somewhat strangely, Farrell's thankless task was almost made easier by his injury absentees, clarifying areas of contention to make the jigsaw puzzle slot more smoothly into place. Were it not for a concussion, there is a strong chance that Garry Ringrose would have worn No 13; with the Irishman out, an all Scottish midfield of Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones makes sense outside of nailed-on starter Finn Russell. Mack Hansen had made a run for a spot in the 23 before his ill-timed foot injury; he and Blair Kinghorn, still not at full fitness after his own knee knock, being ruled out has almost necessitated Marcus Smith 's place on the bench given the fly half's capacity to provide full-back cover. And so it is up front where the greater points of contention come. From the moment Farrell selected five openside options and six locks in his initial 38-man squad, the suggestion had been that one of each would man the flanks come the Tests. There was no wrong answer to the question of who wore No 7, with Curry's physicality edging out Morgan, Ben Earl, Josh van der Flier and Henry Pollock - while the selection was being named, the latter pair and Duhan van der Merwe were on a seaplane out to the Great Barrier Reef in support of one of the Lions' charity partners, an unforgettable trip that nobody wished to be on given what it meant selection-wise. At No 8, Jack Conan's extra bulk always felt necessary to ballast the good ship Lions as it embarks in earnest. More intriguing tactically is the deployment of Tadhg Beirne on the blindside. Like Curry, it is tough to make a case based on pure form, but Farrell has placed trust in a figure he knows well. The Munsterman's installation as captain twice during this tour was indicative of the head coach's admiration for a player who has looked a little leggy at the end of a long season, but only two locks (Maro Itoje and Grant Gilchrist) hit more combined rucks on both sides of the ball during the Six Nations – in a series in which the battle on the floor will be key, Beirne's ability as clearer and carrion feeder make him a valuable figure, even if some mobility is sacrificed. So, too, does his work at the lineout. International coaches remain split on the impacts of the law tweaks that came in at the start of the Six Nations on the lineout – England's Steve Borthwick has generally gone away from a long-limbed six since – but set-piece instability is a surefire way of ridding yourself of a platform. Beirne, Ireland's lead lineout caller, has the ability to take some of the load off captain Itoje while putting pressure on the Wallabies aerially. 'Obviously we feel that's the right balance for the first Test, the combination of Tadhg being the type of player that he is, his quality in the set piece but his all-round ability either as the jackaler or a ball playing six, complements Jack [Conan],' Farrell explained. 'In a similar regard, Tom being the engine that we all know that we need in regards to Test match football.' How the hosts play is almost of more intrigue now confirmation has come of Rob Valetini and Will Skelton's injuries, their forwards packing less of a punch with Angus Bell only on the bench. The sense is of a home side that may look to stay in the fight and spoil the Lions' ball; Farrell, by contrast, will be hoping his side can dictate terms. Lions XV to face Australia in Brisbane (Saturday 19 July, 11am BST): 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong; 4 Maro Itoje (capt.), 5 Joe McCarthy; 6 Tadhg Beirne, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Jack Conan; 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 10 Finn Russell; 11 James Lowe, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 13 Huw Jones, 14 Tommy Freeman; 15 Hugo Keenan.
Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Scotsman
Three Scottish stars named in British & Irish Lions team for first Australia test
British & Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell has named his starting XV and replacements for the first of three test matches against the Wallabies (Pic: Getty) | Getty Images The full 23 man squad to take on the Wallabies in Brisbane contains 11 Irish, nine English three Scottish and no Welsh players. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... British & Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell has named his staring XV and replacements for the first of three test matches against Australia this weekend. The team is largely a combined Ireland and England set-up with three Scottish stars, all named in the starting line-up and forming a familiar partnership in the backs. Finn Russell starts at stand-off while Glasgow Warriors teammates Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones will bring their excellent tandem to the centres at 12 and 13 respectively. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The remainder of the full 23 man squad features 11 Irishmen and nine Englishmen with no Welsh players included for the first time since 1896. Ospreys' back rowers Jac Morgan is the only representative from Wales currently on tour but their is not place form him in the test squad. Despite positive performances in the warm up matches there is also no spot in the test team for Pierre Schoeman or Scott Cummings. Both had not necessarily been expected to be test matches players when the initial squad was named but had seemingly given themselves a shot after setting high standards on tour so far. England's Ellis Genge starts a loose-head prop with Ireland's Andrew Porter on the bench. The lock partnership will be Lions' captain Maro Itoje and Ireland's Joe McCarthy with England's England's Ollie Chessum covering from the replacements. Scrum half Ben White, a late call up to the touring squad, in not a surprise omission with Ireland's Jamieson Gibson-Park starting at nine and England's Alex Mitchell on the bench. Perhaps more surprising is the absence of Duhan van der Merwe who, despite having some lackluster displays on tour so far, scored a hat-trick in the Lions' last match against the AUNZ invitational team. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Blair Kinghorn's chances of featuring in this match were touch and go and he will not feature in this match although will be expected to play some part in the second test. The back three is made up of Ireland's James Lowe and England's Tommy Freeman on the wings plus Irishman Hugo Keean at full back Marcus Smith and Bundee Aki covering the backs from the bench. Here is the full British & Irish Lions starting XV and replacements for the opening test match against Australia in Brisbane this weekend: Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears/England) Dan Sheehan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) Maro Itoje (Saracens/England) (C) Joe McCarthy (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby/Ireland) Tom Curry (Sale Sharks/England) Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) Finn Russell (Bath Rugby/Scotland) James Lowe (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland) Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland) Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints/England) Hugo Keenan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) Replacements: 16. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby/Ireland), Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby/Ireland), Will Stuart (Bath Rugby/England), Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers/England), Ben Earl (Saracens/England), Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England), Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England), Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) Lions Head Coach Andy Farrell said: 'We are entering the business end of the Tour and it is time to put in our best performance to date. We know how motivated the Wallabies will be and we know they are a well organised and dangerous side. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It is a great occasion and a proud moment for Maro Itoje, who will captain the Test side, but also for those players who get the opportunity to represent the group on Saturday night. We have seen a flood of Lions supporters on the streets of Brisbane this week and we are looking forward to seeing a Sea of Red in the stands of the Suncorp Stadium cheering on the team.' What time doe British & Irish Lions vs Australia first test kick off in the UK? The first test will take place on Saturday (July 19) morning - kicking-off at 8pm local time. Due to the time difference between the hemispheres, it works out at 11am in the UK and Ireland, Sky Sports coverage is set to start at 10am, giving plenty of time for analysis and build-up before kick-off at Lang Park. If you really want to get into the rugby spirit, New Zealand's match against France will be on earlier in the morning from 7.05am. Which channel is British & Irish Lions vs Australia first test on? The full tour is being covered by Sky Sports, but the broadcaster does have a range of different channels - so you will want to make sure you get the right one. It has been confirmed that the first test will be live on both Sky Sports Main Event/ HD and Sky Sports Action/ HD.
