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The Independent
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
France flyer Louis Bielle-Biarrey wins prestigious rugby writers' award
France flyer Louis Bielle-Biarrey has been voted the recipient of the prestigious Pat Marshall Award by the Rugby Union Writers' Club (RUWC). The prize is awarded annually to the outstanding rugby personality after a vote of top journalists, pundits and commentators, with Bielle-Biarrey becoming the youngest winner since fellow wing wonder Jonah Lomu in 1995. The 21-year-old starred to help France romp to a Six Nations title and has also powered Bordeaux-Begles towards a possible Top 14 and Champions Cup double, with the club taking on Northampton in the European final this weekend. In all, Bielle-Biarrey has scored an extraordinary 31 tries in 27 games for club and country this campaign, including eight in the Six Nations. 'It is really an honour for me to write my name next to these the legends of the game,' he said after succeeding Courtney Lawes as the Pat Marshall winner. 'It is a big honour, and thank you to all the journalists.' Bielle-Biarrey follows Antoine Dupont (2021) and Jean-Pierre Rives (1981) as French winners of the award. He narrowly pipped Shaun Edwards, France's defence coach, from a competitive list of contenders that included Sean Lynn, Dupont and Ellie Kildunne. The RUWC also recognised two remarkable individuals at their annual lunch, with Craig Maxwell and Matt Hampson given the Investec Special Award. Maxwell, former commercial chief at the Welsh Rugby Union and Six Nations, has raised more than £1.6m for charity since being diagnosed with incurable and inoperable lung cancer in 2022. Former England and Leicester prop Hampson, meanwhile, suffered a life-changing injury while training with the national U21 side, but has spent the past 20 years inspiring and supporting other young people seriously injured through sport through his foundation and the Get Busy Living centre.
The Herald Scotland
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
He's ready to compete – Henry Pollock tipped to shine for Lions by Andy Farrell
On Saturday he was instrumental in helping Northampton dispatch Leinster in the semi-finals of the Champions Cup, outplaying several of his more established Lions rivals in the process. The dynamic, high-energy flanker plays with a swagger and is unafraid to show his personality, earning the description of 'absolutely annoying' and 'a pest' from new Lions captain Maro Itoje and being described as 'cocky' by former Saints back row Courtney Lawes. Rather than curb his enthusiasm, Farrell wants Pollock to ruffle some feathers as the squad's bolter. 'If you're good enough, you're old enough. That's 100 per cent,' the Lions head coach said. 'I've heard a lot of stuff that is constant, really, about young kids who are coming through – he's confident, he's cocky. This is not just about Henry, this is about youngsters in general. 'But what do we want? Do we want a kid to show his confidence as a 23-year-old or 24-year-old instead of as a 20-year-old? It's just about the here and now. If he's performing against the type of quality that he has been doing, then he's ready to compete. 'I think you'll see the fight in him and I'm sure he'll push all the others that didn't realise he was coming. I'm sure that he'll relish that. 'You are trying to find a squad that is competing against each other and earning respect. By the time we get to the first Test, you want that competition to make us the best team we can be.' Finn Russell, Fin Smith and Marcus Smith have been chosen as the three fly-halves, leaving no place for Owen Farrell, but the three-time tourist could be added at a later date if his fitness improves following an injury-hit debut season at Racing 92. Andy Farrell revealed that his son was 'in the conversation' and is a candidate for one of the two slots that have been kept open for players who are currently struggling with knocks but could yet be involved. Marcus Smith was far from certain to be selected but Farrell revealed that his ability to cover full-back was decisive. Alongside Russell, he will be the squad's most creative player. 'We've all see what Marcus can do. He relishes the occasion and there's no bigger than a Lions tour,' Farrell said. Owen Farrell has been left out of the initial Lions squad (Mike Egerton/PA) Big-name omissions from the squad that will embark on a 10-fixture tour of Australia, starting against Argentina in Dublin on June 20, are Jamie George, Sam Prendergast, Courtney Lawes and Ben Curry. But there was joy for marginal calls such as Scott Cummings, Jac Morgan, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ben Earl, Josh van der Flier, Mack Hansen and Elliot Daly. Scotland's Toulouse full-back Blair Kinghorn is the only player based in France to feature among the 38, which is made up of 21 forwards and 17 backs. Ireland supply the biggest contingent with 15 players followed by England with 13, Scotland with eight and two from Wales.
The Independent
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
He's ready to compete – Henry Pollock tipped to shine for Lions by Andy Farrell
Henry Pollock has been urged to drive up competition within the British and Irish Lions squad bound for Australia next month by staying true to himself. The 20-year-old rising star of English rugby has been picked in Andy Farrell's 38-man touring party despite playing only 32 minutes of Test rugby as a replacement against Wales in March when he scored two tries. On Saturday he was instrumental in helping Northampton dispatch Leinster in the semi-finals of the Champions Cup, outplaying several of his more established Lions rivals in the process. The dynamic, high-energy flanker plays with a swagger and is unafraid to show his personality, earning the description of 'absolutely annoying' and 'a pest' from new Lions captain Maro Itoje and being described as 'cocky' by former Saints back row Courtney Lawes. Rather than curb his enthusiasm, Farrell wants Pollock to ruffle some feathers as the squad's bolter. 'If you're good enough, you're old enough. That's 100 per cent,' the Lions head coach said. 'I've heard a lot of stuff that is constant, really, about young kids who are coming through – he's confident, he's cocky. This is not just about Henry, this is about youngsters in general. 'But what do we want? Do we want a kid to show his confidence as a 23-year-old or 24-year-old instead of as a 20-year-old? It's just about the here and now. If he's performing against the type of quality that he has been doing, then he's ready to compete. 'I think you'll see the fight in him and I'm sure he'll push all the others that didn't realise he was coming. I'm sure that he'll relish that. 'You are trying to find a squad that is competing against each other and earning respect. By the time we get to the first Test, you want that competition to make us the best team we can be.' Finn Russell, Fin Smith and Marcus Smith have been chosen as the three fly-halves, leaving no place for Owen Farrell, but the three-time tourist could be added at a later date if his fitness improves following an injury-hit debut season at Racing 92. Andy Farrell revealed that his son was 'in the conversation' and is a candidate for one of the two slots that have been kept open for players who are currently struggling with knocks but could yet be involved. Marcus Smith was far from certain to be selected but Farrell revealed that his ability to cover full-back was decisive. Alongside Russell, he will be the squad's most creative player. 'We've all see what Marcus can do. He relishes the occasion and there's no bigger than a Lions tour,' Farrell said. Big-name omissions from the squad that will embark on a 10-fixture tour of Australia, starting against Argentina in Dublin on June 20, are Jamie George, Sam Prendergast, Courtney Lawes and Ben Curry. But there was joy for marginal calls such as Scott Cummings, Jac Morgan, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ben Earl, Josh van der Flier, Mack Hansen and Elliot Daly. Scotland's Toulouse full-back Blair Kinghorn is the only player based in France to feature among the 38, which is made up of 21 forwards and 17 backs. Ireland supply the biggest contingent with 15 players followed by England with 13, Scotland with eight and two from Wales.
Times
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Times
Lions squad announcement 2025: live updates from the O2
Elgan Alderman The exodus of English players to France has added a layer of intrigue to today's announcement. Will Andy Farrell pick players who are ineligible for international rugby — among them former England captains in his son, Owen, and Courtney Lawes, Toulouse's rosbif sensation Jack Willis, and real bolters in David Ribbans or Manu Tuilagi — off the strength of their pedigree and/or Top 14 form? Scotland's Blair Kinghorn and Ben White are also in the mix of decisions that could come down to logistics: the Top 14 does not finish until the day of the Lions' first match in Australia. Contending with availability of those over the Channel is nothing new for Lions selectors. • What Jack Willis and Courtney Lawes can learn from past Lions bolters Will Kelleher, O2 Arena The Times can exclusively reveal the identity of the first 2025 British & Irish Lion… Elgan Alderman Wales has so much history with the Lions, yet the debate around the build-up to this year's tour has centred on whether any of their players will make it in. Seventeen defeats in a row, and consecutive wooden spoons, will do that to you. Wales dominated the make-up of squads between 1950 and 1980. With the exception of 1959, they were the primary source of players: 13 on the famous tour of 1971, when Carwyn James's side beat the All Blacks; more than half of the group for the return in 1977; and almost half of the players in South Africa three years later. Even in the Eighties and Nineties, when Welsh rugby was not in the rudest of health, there were at least five, and a double-figure tally has been par for the course in the 21st century. Today, even four players would feel like a positive outcome. Will Kelleher sets the scene at the O2… Will Kelleher, O2 Arena I've just had a chat with a legendary Welshman who is here for the announcement today and is very resigned to there being a record low number of his compatriots picked by Andy Farrell. He's heard that Jac Morgan should be in, and probably Tomos Williams, but other than that he's not expecting many others. Five players was a modern low for the Welsh Lions contingent, in 1993, so two would be a disaster really for a proud nation which loves the Lions more than any other. Alex Lowe, O2 Arena Timing in sport, as poor Caelan Doris has found to his cost this past weekend, is everything. This is now surely Maro Itoje's time. Itoje was made the Saracens captain at the start of the season and then appointed England captain in January, before the Six Nations. In contrast to Doris, Itoje improved with all the added responsibility. He has proved Eddie Jones to be wrong and is now playing at the peak of his powers, not only wearing the leadership responsibilities lightly but revelling in them. • Alex Lowe: This is Maro Itoje's time to thrive as British & Irish Lions captain Will Kelleher, O2 Arena No he does not, and no he will not, if he does not think they warrant selection. Farrell made it clear in March that there would be no 'token' picks. However, the awkward scenario of this being a three-country team should be avoided as the likes of Morgan and Tomos Williams are prime contenders to go. Taulupe Faletau's case has been strengthened after the injury to Doris, as even at 34 the three-times Lion is performing well for Cardiff. • A place for Henry Pollock but no Welshmen? Key Lions questions Elgan Alderman It feels as if the second row is the spiritual home of Lions captains, making Maro Itoje a fitting choice. Four years ago, in the hazy post-lockdown days, I pulled together a graphic that showed how the Lions touring XVs had changed over the years. One thing that stood out was the longevity of various locks in the position. Please enable cookies and other technologies to view this content. You can update your cookies preferences any time using privacy manager. Willie John McBride, the 1974 captain and most experienced Lion of all with 17 caps, across two tours partnered Gordon Brown, who started alongside Bill Beaumont, who started as captain in 1980 alongside Maurice Colclough — experienced men all. Martin Johnson emerged in 1993 and was a totem for three tours, including as captain in 1997 and 2001. After Johnson came Paul O'Connell, the 2009 captain, who started alongside Alun Wyn Jones, a veteran of four tours and the captain in 2021. Jones retired with ten Lions starts overseas, of which the final five were alongside Itoje. Only the selection of George Kruis in the first Test of 2017, with Itoje (the youngest member of the squad) as a replacement, has prevented the England lock from being ever-present in touring XVs. Elgan Alderman There will be a lot of dismayed rugby players today if their name is not read out — but that does not mean that their Test hopes are over. Lions lore is full of players who missed out, turned up as replacements and ended up forcing their way into the XV, such are the slings and arrows. The first one that always springs to my mind is Ryan Jones. The young back-rower — at the end of a season in which he was at a new club because the Celtic Warriors had gone bust, made his international debut and won a grand slam — was playing for Wales in North America when he was summoned to New Zealand. He was superb against Otago and immediately forced his way into the Test squad. Following Richard Hill's injury, Jones played most of the game and was outstanding, and wore No8 for the rest of the series. Simon Easterby and Mark Cueto also went from outsider to Test Lion that year. Four years ago, Kyle Sinckler replaced the injured Andrew Porter before the tour began, having spoken emotionally after a Gallagher Premiership fixture about his initial omission, and won three caps off the bench. Adam Beard, called up as cover after Alun Wyn Jones's dislocated shoulder, joined him among the third-Test replacements. The last time the Lions were in Australia, Alex Corbisiero was a vital cog at loose-head prop. He wasn't in the original squad, but Cian Healy's injury against Western Force opened the door. Tom Croft is synonymous with the 2009 tour, starting in the back row twice and scoring a brace in the first Test. He was only in South Africa because of Alan Quinlan's ban for eye-gouging in the Heineken Cup. Ross Ford and John Hayes also played in Tests after missing out at first, while James Hook was an unused substitute in the finale. In 2001, a trio of call-ups (Gordon Bulloch, Dorian West and Andy Nicol) sat on benches against Australia, four years after Paul Wallace and Mike Catt made delayed journeys into the Test team. Their captain in South Africa, Martin Johnson, played against the All Blacks in 1993 after he took Wade Dooley's place on tour (Dooley had left because his father died, and was prevented from returning). Another 1997 alumnus, Jeremy Guscott, made his debut in 1989 following Will Carling's withdrawal. Will Kelleher, O2 Arena Maro Itoje is set to be unveiled as the British & Irish Lions captain, the first Englishman to be chosen for the role since Martin Johnson. Itoje, 30, emerged as the prime candidate after injury struck Caelan Doris, the Ireland No8. Doris had surgery this week on his shoulder, which he hurt during Leinster's 37-34 defeat by Northampton Saints last Saturday, leaving Itoje as the top captaincy choice for Lions head coach Andy Farrell. • Maro Itoje to be named British & Irish Lions captain for Australia tour Will Kelleher, O2 Arena Here we go then! 'It's Christmas Day!' one of the presenters said to me as I came into the O2 Arena for the British & Irish Lions squad announcement event — and that's about right. Just for rugby fans — around 2,000 of which will be here in the Indigo at the O2 today — this is a day of excitement and trepidation, let alone for the players nervously waiting for their names to be read out from 2pm by Ieuan Evans. Around 40 players will be Lions by about 2.30pm, their dreams made, and a whole load of others will have theirs dashed — for now. Rugby's ultimate fantasy game day is upon us. The Times will have you covered throughout, with this live blog, then pieces later from Alex Lowe, Owen Slot and me — and then a Ruck podcast special for your Friday morning commute! Will there be a spot for Owen Farrell, Henry Pollock or any Welsh players? It's not long now until head coach Andy Farrell finally reveals his hand. Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the British & Irish Lions squad announcement. Andy Farrell will name his selections for this summer's tour to Australia from 2pm at the O2 Arena in London in front of 2,000 paying supporters and about 200 journalists. Stay tuned for updates from Alex Lowe, Owen Slot, Will Kelleher and Elgan Alderman.
Times
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Times
What Owen Farrell and Jack Willis can learn from history of Lions bolters
W hat's the French for bolter? With one day left until the British & Irish Lions squad is announced, bolt-flation is at a record high. The 2025 edition has the added glaze of British stars strewn over the Channel in various forms of exile. There have been France-based players on every tour this century, but these were Celtic, not Anglo-Saxon. The RFU's policy, disqualifying Top 14 talent from representing their country, animates the surge. Pre-eminent are two former England captains in Owen Farrell and Courtney Lawes. Farrell suffered a head injury at the weekend in a season plagued by issues and defeats. One has the feeling that even if you interviewed him on the field during an actual Lions Test, he wouldn't admit he had
