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The Citizen
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Farrell makes tour debut as Lions thrash Australia-New Zealand XV
he thumping eight-try romp at Adelaide Oval was their fifth consecutive win to ensure an unblemished record heading into the first Test against the Wallabies next weekend in Brisbane. British and Irish Lions' Jac Morgan (C) runs the ball during the tour match between the Australia and New Zealand Invitational XV and the British and Irish Lions at Adelaide Oval on July 12, 2025. (Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFP) / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE Owen Farrell made his tour debut from the bench and Duhan van der Merwe bagged a hat-trick of tries as a polished British and Irish Lions crushed a combined Australia-New Zealand side 48-0 on Saturday. The thumping eight-try romp at Adelaide Oval was their fifth consecutive win to ensure an unblemished record heading into the first Test against the Wallabies next weekend in Brisbane. Up 17-0 at half-time, the Lions controlled the contest, swift at the breakdown and with plenty of attacking flair in their most cohesive and accurate performance of the tour so far. The victory was soured by an injury to hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie, who was stretchered off after what appeared to be a nasty knee to the head, although he recovered enough to return to the bench later. Farrell, a veteran of three previous Lions tours, came on 10 minutes into the second half to a mixed reaction after being controversially called up to replace Elliot Daly, who broke his arm against the Queensland Reds. It was his first game in two months after a challenging season with French side Racing 92, but the former England captain quickly blew away any cobwebs playing at inside centre. By the time he arrived the damage had been done, with tries from Van der Merwe, Ben White, and Sione Tuipulotu overwhelming the ragtag invitational team under the guidance of incoming Wallabies coach Les Kiss. It was the first time rugby powerhouses Australia and New Zealand had joined forces since 1989, but they barely had a week's preparation. Their weaknesses were exploited by a Lions side knowing it was their last chance to impress before coach Andy Farrell picks his matchday 23 for Brisbane. Ireland's Hugo Keenan put up his hand to be Test full-back with an accomplished effort in place of main rival Blair Kinghorn who is nursing an injured knee. Similarly, Jac Morgan excelled at openside flanker as did Henry Pollock at blindside as the fight for back-row spots heats up. Scottish duo Tuipulotu and Huw Jones were slick again in their battle with Irish pair Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose to be starting centres. The Lions showed plenty of early intent and caught the hosts napping when Keenan cleverly took a quick lineout and Van der Merwe powered over in the corner. A second try, this one converted, came minutes later when a gap was opened by the ruck and scrumhalf White hit the accelerator to dart through under the posts. It was the type of start the Lions have been striving for all tour and they surged 17-0 clear after 20 minutes when Van der Merwe grabbed his second, finishing a flowing move that split the defence. The home side needed to begin the second-half well, but were rocked by a Lions try in the opening minutes when Tuipulotu hit the line to perfection after a tap and go from White. With a 24-0 lead, it was all over bar Farrell's cameo and there were further tries from lock Scott Cummings, Van der Merwe, hooker Ronan Kelleher and Pollock.
Powys County Times
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Lions captain Maro Itoje backs Owen Farrell for England return
Maro Itoje believes a fit Owen Farrell could still have a role to play for England after welcoming his former captain's arrival on the British and Irish Lions' tour of Australia. Farrell has been called up to his fourth expedition with the Lions as a replacement for the injured Elliot Daily and there is a possibility he will be involved in the series against the Wallabies as fly-half and inside centre cover. Any appearance would be his first Test since the 2023 World Cup, after which he stepped back from international rugby to prioritise his and his family's mental wellbeing before then joining Racing 92, making him ineligible for England selection. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The British & Irish Lions (@britishandirishlions) But by agreeing a return to Saracens for next season he is available once more – and Itoje would endorse his comeback for the national side. 'Yeah, why not? I want to see him be happy,' said Itoje, who has played under Farrell with both Saracens and England. 'If he wants to play for England, why not? That would be amazing if that's in his plans and in his dreams. 'Owen is one of the best England players that we've ever seen. A fit Owen Farrell makes any team better. If that's in his ambitions, why not?' Farrell's presence in Australia has ignited speculation that Itoje's authority as Lions captain may now be undermined, but the 30-year-old insists his former schoolmate at St George's in Harpenden will be only a positive voice. 'I've known him for donkey's years now. I have a very good relationship with him. And he just wants the squad to do well,' he said. 'Sport, for me particularly, is never about ego. I want people to speak, have their voices heard and contribute in a positive way. 'It's never about me, if I'm captain, having the final say or sticking my chest out or anything like that. It's not about that. 'It's about how can we as a collective get the best result? How can we as a collective win? How can the team be successful? Because when the team is successful, first of all, you can't do it by yourself. 'And two, when the team is successful, everyone wins. Everyone has a brighter light shone on them. 'And everyone can dine on that glory for years to come. So that's all I care about. And I know Owen's the exact same. That's not an issue at all.' Johnny Sexton, the former Ireland fly-half who is the Lions' kicking coach in Australia, insists Farrell is a valuable addition to the squad. 'Experience is experience. He's a world-class player. Look at what he's won,' Sexton said. 'He's not just a guy who has hung on to the coat-tails of other people, he's the one who has been driving those teams. 'He's been fantastic to have in camp and I'm sure he's going to add loads for the rest of the tour.' The Lions were guilty of being too lateral in Saturday's disappointing victory over the New South Wales Waratahs, and Itoje wants them to be more direct in Wednesday's clash with the ACT Brumbies in Canberra. 'We need to punch holes, get go forward and then space opens up, wherever that may be,' said Itoje, who leads a Test-strength side. 'At times we've been very good in playing direct and playing through teams. But at times we probably look to go wide before we probably earn the right.'
