Latest news with #Horwill
Perth Now
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
How Lions are playing into Wallabies' hands: Horwill
James Horwill thinks the British and Irish Lions' plans to play running rugby could bite them in Australia. The towering lock was captain of a Wallabies team ranked No.2 in the world that lost 2-1 the last time the tourists visited in 2013. Ahead of the first Test in Brisbane on July 19, Australia are now ranked eighth in the world, narrowly ahead of Fiji, Italy and Georgia. The third-ranked Irish boast 15 players in the squad but, with question marks over the Wallabies' scrum and lineout, Horwill thinks that could ironically play into the Wallabies hands. "We can win it," he told AAP. "They haven't picked as big a side in the back row that they could have. "That gives you an idea they want to move the ball more, which we're seeing in Ireland lately." Wales' three-time Lions back-rower Taulupe Faletau, outstanding Englishman Jack Willis, big-bodied No.8 Tom Willis and 205cm lock Adam Beard were among the noteworthy omissions. Coach Andy Farrell has instead included 20-year-old Henry Pollock, the compact Jac Morgan and versatile Ben Earl among his back row options. Farrell will also leave son and veteran playmaker Owen at home, preferring England pair Marcus and Fin Smith and Scottish co-captain Finn Russell as his No.10s. "All of their ball players want to play; they're not your traditional kick-first No.10s," he said. "That's another indication of their intent. "Then probably (Irish scrumhalf) Jamison Gibson-Park in the No.9, he's a huge chance to start and he wants to run the ball. "So you'll see a bit more ball movement than we've seen from northern hemisphere sides in the past." It comes as Schmidt prepares to name his squad this week and the Lions prepare for a one-off Dublin Test against Argentina on Friday before jetting to Australia. The tour includes five lead-in games before the first of three Tests, beginning in Perth against the Western Force on June 28. A sea of red is expected to follow them around the country, Lions fans hungry for action after none travelled on their last tour of South Africa during COVID-19 restrictions. "It's a big occasion ... you're not going to be able to be in the city and not know it's on," Horwill said. "In 2013 we were front and back page of the paper every day of that tour. "There's a big opportunity there. We can see some new heroes built."
Sydney Morning Herald
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Would you pay $135 to watch a squad get named? Welcome to Lions mania
Former Wallabies captain James Horwill, who skippered Australia against the Lions in 2013, was playing for Harlequins in London when the 2017 squad was named. 'So we were all sitting there in the team room watching the TV with the guys who are hoping to make it, or being talked about as possibilities,' Horwill said. 'We had lots of England guys, and they were doing well at that stage. And Jamie Roberts as well. But he didn't get selected, and a few others didn't as well. It's pretty brutal. You're just there as a teammate and giving congratulations to some guys, and being there to support others.' Australian fans can watch on the Lions' YouTube channel from 10.30pm. How is the squad selected? Lions coach Andy Farrell and his staff will lean heavily on performances in the most recent Six Nations, but plenty of weight will also be given to form and combinations that have been delivering at Test level for the past few years. Farrell, who took over from Joe Schmidt as head coach of Ireland, has a mix of assistants from the unions: John Dalziel (Scotland), Simon Easterby (Ireland), John Fogarty (Ireland), Andrew Goodman (Ireland), Johnny Sexton (Ireland) and Richard Wigglesworth (England). But most expect the dominance of Irish figures on his staff to be mirrored in the squad, which is likely to contain 37 players, in the first instance. Ireland finished third in the Six Nations this year, behind France and England, but they won in 2023 and 2024 and were also ranked No.1 in the world at times during those two years. 'They have still been the best team in the home nations over the last four years,' Horwill said. 'And four of Farrell's assistant coaches are Ireland guys … so I still think there is going to be a strong green tinge to the squad. Wales will be lucky to have more than one or two, and Scotland will have a decent handful. 'But the majority of the squad will be English and Irish, is my gut feel.' It is also essential for Farrell to consider players who are good tourists, who can create a happy camp alongside their ability to compete for a Test spot. Are there any 'Aussie' Lions? There have only been six Australian-raised players selected for the Lions since 1889: Alec Timms (1889), Tom Richards (1910), Ian Smith (1924), Brent Cockbain (2005), Nathan Hines (2009) and Tom Court (2013). But four more could be named in this year's squad. Former Melbourne Rebels centre Sione Tuipulotu is considered a lock by most pundits. Now Scotland captain, Tuipulotu missed the Six Nations after tearing a pectoral muscle but is due back on the field shortly. Brumby-turned -Ireland winger Mack Hansen is also a strong chance. Former Wallaby and now Scotland flanker Jack Dempsey is an outside shot to win selection, and Canberra-raised Ireland prop Finlay Bealham is also in the conversation. The topic of foreign-born or raised players in the Lions squad is sure to get some airtime in coming months. There could be a record number of Lions players who are eligible for their nations via grandparents or residency: James Lowe (Ire-NZ), Jamison Gibson-Park (Ire-NZ), Bundee Aki (Ire-NZ), Pierre Schoeman (Sco-SA), Duhan van der Merwe (Sco-SA), David Ribbands (Eng-SA) and the aforementioned Aussies. Will there be any bolters? There is always a classic bolter in a Lions squad, and the name on everyone's lips is Henry Pollock, a flashy young back-rower at Northhampton who has caught fire at exactly the right time. The Saints rookie has been scoring tries befitting a winger, and was outstanding in their Champions Cup semi-final win over Leinster last week. Another 'bolter' at the centre of much discussion is at the other end of the experience scale: Owen Farrell. Though Farrell retired from Test rugby for England, the 33-year-old is still playing for Racing 92 in France and many believe he will get a call up from coach – and dad – Andy Farrell. Loading Who will be the captain? The consensus was Farrell would make his choice for captain between Ireland skipper Caelan Doris and England veteran lock Maro Itoje. That pick appears more straightforward now, however, after news emerged this week that Doris injured a shoulder for Leinster and requires surgery. He hasn't yet been ruled out, but the prognosis isn't good, and Itoje should now be a walk-up start for the captaincy.
The Age
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Would you pay $135 to watch a squad get named? Welcome to Lions mania
Former Wallabies captain James Horwill, who skippered Australia against the Lions in 2013, was playing for Harlequins in London when the 2017 squad was named. 'So we were all sitting there in the team room watching the TV with the guys who are hoping to make it, or being talked about as possibilities,' Horwill said. 'We had lots of England guys, and they were doing well at that stage. And Jamie Roberts as well. But he didn't get selected, and a few others didn't as well. It's pretty brutal. You're just there as a teammate and giving congratulations to some guys, and being there to support others.' Australian fans can watch on the Lions' YouTube channel from 10.30pm. How is the squad selected? Lions coach Andy Farrell and his staff will lean heavily on performances in the most recent Six Nations, but plenty of weight will also be given to form and combinations that have been delivering at Test level for the past few years. Farrell, who took over from Joe Schmidt as head coach of Ireland, has a mix of assistants from the unions: John Dalziel (Scotland), Simon Easterby (Ireland), John Fogarty (Ireland), Andrew Goodman (Ireland), Johnny Sexton (Ireland) and Richard Wigglesworth (England). But most expect the dominance of Irish figures on his staff to be mirrored in the squad, which is likely to contain 37 players, in the first instance. Ireland finished third in the Six Nations this year, behind France and England, but they won in 2023 and 2024 and were also ranked No.1 in the world at times during those two years. 'They have still been the best team in the home nations over the last four years,' Horwill said. 'And four of Farrell's assistant coaches are Ireland guys … so I still think there is going to be a strong green tinge to the squad. Wales will be lucky to have more than one or two, and Scotland will have a decent handful. 'But the majority of the squad will be English and Irish, is my gut feel.' It is also essential for Farrell to consider players who are good tourists, who can create a happy camp alongside their ability to compete for a Test spot. Are there any 'Aussie' Lions? There have only been six Australian-raised players selected for the Lions since 1889: Alec Timms (1889), Tom Richards (1910), Ian Smith (1924), Brent Cockbain (2005), Nathan Hines (2009) and Tom Court (2013). But four more could be named in this year's squad. Former Melbourne Rebels centre Sione Tuipulotu is considered a lock by most pundits. Now Scotland captain, Tuipulotu missed the Six Nations after tearing a pectoral muscle but is due back on the field shortly. Brumby-turned -Ireland winger Mack Hansen is also a strong chance. Former Wallaby and now Scotland flanker Jack Dempsey is an outside shot to win selection, and Canberra-raised Ireland prop Finlay Bealham is also in the conversation. The topic of foreign-born or raised players in the Lions squad is sure to get some airtime in coming months. There could be a record number of Lions players who are eligible for their nations via grandparents or residency: James Lowe (Ire-NZ), Jamison Gibson-Park (Ire-NZ), Bundee Aki (Ire-NZ), Pierre Schoeman (Sco-SA), Duhan van der Merwe (Sco-SA), David Ribbands (Eng-SA) and the aforementioned Aussies. Will there be any bolters? There is always a classic bolter in a Lions squad, and the name on everyone's lips is Henry Pollock, a flashy young back-rower at Northhampton who has caught fire at exactly the right time. The Saints rookie has been scoring tries befitting a winger, and was outstanding in their Champions Cup semi-final win over Leinster last week. Another 'bolter' at the centre of much discussion is at the other end of the experience scale: Owen Farrell. Though Farrell retired from Test rugby for England, the 33-year-old is still playing for Racing 92 in France and many believe he will get a call up from coach – and dad – Andy Farrell. Loading Who will be the captain? The consensus was Farrell would make his choice for captain between Ireland skipper Caelan Doris and England veteran lock Maro Itoje. That pick appears more straightforward now, however, after news emerged this week that Doris injured a shoulder for Leinster and requires surgery. He hasn't yet been ruled out, but the prognosis isn't good, and Itoje should now be a walk-up start for the captaincy.
