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Irish Daily Mirror
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Five Lions v Australia talking points as major questions surround Irish stars
Lions boss Andy Farrell has made three selection changes from First Test to Second Test, two of them enforced and one by choice. Joe McCarthy and Sione Tuipulotu are unavailable through injury and sees Ollie Chessum and Bundee Aki step in while Andrew Porter swaps up from the bench with Ellis Genge, in turn, dropping down. The chance is there this Saturday for the tourists to kill off, to take a 2-0 lead in the best of three, series. The Lions are favourites to win even if a worrying drop off and taking some of the metrics from the last half-hour last week suggests the Wallabies could be set for ambush. We take at five key talking points surrounding selection and Saturday's game in Melbourne (11am Irish, Skysports). TADHG BEIRNE AND OLLIE CHESSUM SWITCH WAS BRAVE - AND WORTHY Tadhg Beirne has started five of the eight Tour matches so far including both international games - as a second-row against Argentina and no6 last week against the between he was blindside no6 for Western Force and Waratahs before lining up at second-row - and captain - against AUNZ. He has not been asked to sit on any which, by turn, backed up an idea that surfaced, as people took to making long-range guesses at Andy Farrell First Test XV, through 2023 and Beirne might not be the best no6 or one of the best two second-rows in the squad but Farrell would still want him in the side for his uber-efficient breakdown work and leadership which, in his case, were quantifiable 24, has been a breakout star on Tour, an 86 percent tackle, 57 percent gain-line carry success rate, alongside outstanding lineout work from no6, as Maro Itoje and Joe McCarthy dominated the second-row persistent foot injury saw him ruled for Saturday and Farrell, who doesn't use Beirme as a no6 for Ireland anymore, had a could put Chessum at no6 and Beirne at no5 or Beirne at no6 and Chessum at no5 which was slightly contra Tour logic to the latter - a worthy, brave call given the way the cards were dealt. WILL THE REAL JOE SCHIDT STAND UP? Joe Schmidt (Image:) Joe Schmidt has been taking his fair share of flak in Australia where there is discontent centring on the idea he has undercooked the Wallabies has focussed on three specific selection areas; out-half, scrum-half (not least as Schmidt was a scrum-half when he played) and 22 year-old Tom Lynagh in place of injured first-choice Noah Lolesio for his first start in just his fourth international was a gamble that simply didn't pay Reds no10 looked nervy as Australia lost their way earlier on. Moreover his performance surely wasn't helped by having Jake Gordon as his scrum-half and leaving his far more experienced Reds captain Tate McDermott on the it was even suggested Lynagh was such a rookie that irrepressible 35 year-old Nic White, who did so well for Force in the earlier match against the Lions, should have been there were front-row problems, albeit an area which has long been a bone of contention on the back of the suspicion their schools rugby is weak in coaching in this who felt the Lions would put a big emphasis on the front-row were for relying Taniella Tupou aka 'The Tongan Thor' at tight-head to combat this. Jettisoned early on by Schmidt, Topou came back with a big, big performance for First Nations & Pasifika against the Lions. As interestingly, he was taken in after 46 minutes which suggests he may now be a Third Test possibility. IT IS OVER A YEAR SINCE PORTER-SHEEHAN-FURLONG HAVE STARTED 1-2-3 ON THE SAME TEAM There has been concern about the Lions scrummaging from almost day one - all the more shocking as it had almost been taken as a given the touring side would have superiority were hardly settled either when Tuesday's starting front-row Schoeman-George-Bealham were given a hard time, their replacements Ashman-Sutherland-Clarkson it stands of Second Test selection Andrew Porter has been used sparingly to here, a sub against Force, starting against Reds, and then three further sub appearances against Brumbies, AUNZ and left the question as to whether he was carrying an injury, judged to be in poor form, or that Ellis Genge had simply been in irresistable form. Consider this oddity too; the selected Leinster/Ireland unit haven't been on a starting team at either Leinster or Ireland for over 12 months! The last time they wore 1-2-3 was against world champions South Africa in Pretoria on July 6, 2024. The Springboks won a hard fought game 27-20 with, some might say, two controversial TMO decisions going in their favour. WALLABIES BOUNCE BACK? Australia have made three changes to their starting line-up for Saturday's Second return of fit-again Brumbies back-row Rob Valetini, the John Earles/Australian Player of the Year medal winner in 2023 and 2024, was a no-brainer and seen as a terrific boost for the inclusion of the 33 year-old, six-foot-eight, 21-plus stone Will Skelton hasn't brought anything like that universal approval following an underwhelming season at underperforming La is a big unit but given the Lions high-tempo game, Jamison Gibson-Park's speed at the breakdown and the desire to get the ball to second-centre, full-back and wingers early and often it is hard work for has never particularly prospered against Leinster who work on moving him around and, as Ronan O'Gara pointed out midweek, there are question marks over his fitness as he is returning from third change sees hooker David Porecki, 32, return. A former Wallaby captain and one of those jettisoned after RWC 2023, he was recalled after an almost two year absence to play the warm-up game against Schmidt has opted to roll over the half-back partnership of Tom Lynagah and Jake Gordon despite their being overwhelmed last Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter; Tom Lynagh, Jake Gordon;James Slipper, David Porecki, Allan Ala'alatoa, Nick Frost, Will Skelton, Rob Valetini, Fraser McRight, Harry Wilson Replacements: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson Lions Garry Ringrose is tackled by Charlie Gamble of the First Nations & Pasifika XV (Image: ©INPHO/Tom Maher) RINGROSE - SURLY NO THIRD TEST, A LAY-OFF, A SABBATICAL, RETIREMENT? Garry Ringrose was on the verge of achieving the last of his schoolboy rugby dreams, Leinster, Ireland and, lastly, Test rugby for the despite being forced to withdraw from the First Test with concussion he was able to return last Tuesday to play and was inked in to start the Second Test..."Garry was actually selected and unfortunately in training today he's had to pull out," said Farrell. "It's head-related again."It was literally as I was walking off the field. He came to me and, once it's mentioned, that's that. There was no incident."He was feeling good, well in advance of Tuesday, and fit and ready to play (against the First Nations and Pasifika XV). No incident through the game at all, nothing yesterday and nothing this morning at all."But with these type of things, players are getting very good at telling the truth of how they feel, so it was a no-brainer to make the change straight away. It's very easy to keep it to yourself, lie and not be honest and open."Australia v British & Irish Lions, MCG, Melbourne, Saturday 26th July, 2025, KO: 11:00 BST/ IST15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/Ireland)14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints/England)13. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)12. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Ireland)11. James Lowe (Leinster/Ireland)10. Finn Russell (Bath/Scotland)9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster/Ireland)1. Andrew Porter (Leinster/Ireland)2. Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Ireland)3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Ireland)4. Maro Itoje (Saracens/England) captain5. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers/England)6. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Ireland)7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks/England)8. Jack Conan (Leinster/Ireland)Replacements:16. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Ireland)17. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears/England)18. Will Stuart (Bath/England)19. James Ryan (Leinster/Ireland)20. Jac Morgan (Ospreys/Wales)21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England)22. Owen Farrell (Saracens/England) 23. Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse/Scotland)
Evening Standard
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Evening Standard
How to watch Lions vs Australia: TV channel and live stream for first Test today
This year, Farrell has made some surprising calls in his first Test XV selection, including the likes of Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones in midfield, with Finn Russell ahead of them at stand-off to complete an all-Scottish midfield trio for the first time ever.
The 42
04-07-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Beirne gets big Lions honour as Keenan keeps his dinner down
SO WHERE EXACTLY does Tadhg Beirne fit in Andy Farrell's Test plans? Pre-tour, many people saw Beirne as Maro Itoje's most likely partner in the second row. That was the Lions' lock pairing for their opening game of the campaign against Argentina in Dublin. When Andy Farrell then moved Beirne to the number six shirt for the Lions' first game on Australian soil against the Western Force, you wondered if that was a big Test team hint. A lineout specialist on the blindside flank would make sense. Yet, there are others who feel that Beirne could miss out on the starting Test XV altogether given that Joe McCarthy made such a big impression against the Force and Itoje was at his best against the Reds on Wednesday. Tom Curry has worn the six shirt twice so far in this Lions campaign and his fellow Englishman, Henry Pollock, will be at blindside against the Waratahs tomorrow [KO 11am Irish time, Sky Sports]. Others like Jac Morgan, Jack Conan, and Ollie Chessum are also options at number six. Still, there is no doubt that Farrell appreciates Beirne's world-class qualities. The Munster skipper has been a key figure in Ireland's success under Farrell. He has delivered immense performances in games much, much bigger than warm-up fixtures against the Force and Reds. Beirne might not always be as eye-catchingly explosive as other back five forwards, but Farrell knows that he is a genuine force. His breakdown skills are among the best in the game, his lineout work is excellent, his handling is slick, and his work rate is ceaseless. Farrell has handed Beirne the honour of captaining the Lions from the second row for tomorrow's clash with the Waratahs in Sydney. This is Beirne's second Lions tour but his first time skippering the side. It's a major honour for the 33-year-old. 'It took him aback when I told him. That's exactly the type of reaction you want,' said Farrell. There is a growing sense that the Lions team for next Wednesday against Stephen Larkham's Brumbies – the strongest Aussie Super Rugby side – will be similar to the one Farrell names for the first Test against the Wallabies. Advertisement Tadhg Beirne scoring against Argentina. Tom Maher / INPHO Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO The likes of Beirne, Hugo Keenan, Josh van der Flier, Mack Hansen, and James Ryan might be hoping to back up their starts tomorrow against the Waratahs with another appearance against the Brumbies in a few days. But the guesswork continues after Farrell's latest team announcement yesterday in Sydney. 'I'm 100% open-minded to let people find their way,' said the Lions boss with regards to how he has an outline of plans for selection but has to roll with the punches of injuries, illness, and late arrivals. Even after three games, it doesn't feel like there is a huge crop of absolutely nailed-on Test starters. That might change with Farrell's selection for the Brumbies game, which takes place three days before the final warm-up against the AUNZ Invitational team. That AUNZ side has been boosted by the addition of three Australia internationals in wing Marika Koroibete, hooker Brandon Paenga-Amoso, and back row Pete Samu, who has been sensational for Bordeaux this season. All Blacks Hoskins Sotutu, Ngani Laumape, Shannon Frizell, Folau Fakatava, David Havili, and Shaun Stevenson are also part of the AUNZ squad, ensuring plenty of firepower. For now, Farrell and co. are focused on tomorrow's clash with the Waratahs, whose teamsheet is the weakest the Lions will face in Australia. The Wallabies have sent heavyweight tighthead prop Taniela Tupou and wing Andrew Kellaway back to the Waratahs to play against the Lions, but seven other players remain with Joe Schmidt's group. The Tahs have named other Australia-capped players in lock Rob Leota, wing Darby Lancaster, and centre Lalakai Foketi in their XV but overall, it is a callow selection to take on Lions. There are big worries locally that the tourists could run riot. Taniela Tupou will start for the Waratahs tomorrow. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Halfbacks Teddy Wilson and Jack Bowen are just 22 and 21, respectively, with Wallabies-capped out-half Tane Edmed surprisingly left on the bench. Replacement loosehead prop Jack Barrett – who will likely scrum against Tadhg Furlong in the second half – is a 21-year-old who has only one cap of Super Rugby experience. There is no doubt the Waratahs will deliver a proud, impassioned performance but the reality is that this should be an obvious mismatch. The Lions' matchday 23 is once again packed with quality and points of interest. Keenan belatedly making his debut at fullback after withdrawing from the Reds game due to illness will be fascinating. 'He has just had his dinner now, so hopefully that stays down,' joked Farrell yesterday evening in Sydney. There's another Lions debut on the left wing as Blair Kinghorn gets his Test bid going following his late arrival after playing in Toulouse's thrilling Top 14 final victory over Bordeaux. Scotland's 'Huwipulotu' centre pairing are reunited, Mack Hansen looks to build on his relentless performance against the Force, Ryan makes his first start in the second row, and Pollock bids to impact from the blindside. Farrell has also gone for a 6/2 bench split for the first time in this campaign. It's a possibility for the Tests given how much strength the Lions have in the back five of their scrum, as well as the flexibility of some of their outside backs, even without the cruelly unlucky Elliot Daly. With the impending arrival of Owen Farrell tonight throwing a cat among the pigeons, we're still waiting to see how all of this pans out for Beirne and the rest of the Lions.
Wales Online
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Lions player ratings as Jac Morgan 'puts down marker' and pundits left eating their words
Lions player ratings as Jac Morgan 'puts down marker' and pundits left eating their words The Lions ran out comfortable winners in their second match in Australia as they downed the Queensland Reds Jac Morgan of the British & Irish Lions celebrates after scoring their fifth try during the tour match against Queensland Reds (Image:) The British and Irish Lions made it back-to-back wins out in Australia after they thumped the Queensland Reds in Brisbane. Following a concerning defeat against Argentina in the warm-up in Dublin, Andy Farrell's side now appear to be up and running, backing up their triumph over the Western Force at the weekend with another positive display and a 52-12 win. As ever, though, with Farrell trying to piece together his Test XV in his mind, a number of players put their hands up. After Tomos Williams' tour-ending injury in the win over the Force on Saturday, Jac Morgan is the only man left flying the Welsh flag Down Under, however he stood up to the occasion on Wednesday with a well-taken try and a fantastic performance all round the park. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. He enjoyed the most carry metres (49m) of any Lions forward and was the top tackler with 21. He also picked up three jackal turnovers, too. And his performance was well received across the board with the British and Irish media, ramping up that competition for the seven shirt when Test No.1 comes around on July 19. "The race for seven is right on. He's been exceptional tonight and put pressure on the players playing on Saturday," said former Wales and Lions fly-half Dan Biggar after Morgan had been awarded the player of the match gong. Article continues below "He's put down a marker," added commentator Miles Harrison. The top mark came from The Telegraph, who handed Morgan a 9/10, saying: "Punchy and clever in the carry, scoring a try while plundering a hat-trick of jackal turnovers, too. A quiet evening against Argentina was banished brilliantly. "Right back in the conversation (to start a Test), despite fierce competition." RugbyPass said the Welshman enjoyed a "strong" performance, adding: "Made an excellent turnover early in the game and came up with two more. His effort couldn't be faulted in all aspects of the game. Hit a great line for his try in the second half." While it was a bitty first half, some reports in The Times said he was having a quiet first half. However, by the end of the match, the Ospreys star appears to have emerged as a Test contender. "Jac Morgan is named man of the match; impossible to find fault with that," wrote Stephen Jones in The Times. Will Kelleher also added: "Jac Morgan is the official man of the match. I take it back when I said he wasn't doing much in the first half. He's grown into this game, and the tour, really well and had a good night." "For the Tests it feels they'll still go for a 'big 6', so Ollie Chessum or Tadhg Beirne, with an out and out No7 either side of Jack Conan. So would you have Morgan, Tom Curry or Josh van der Flier having seen them all play properly now?" The Express said that Morgan sent a reminder to everyone of his talents, awarding him an 8/10 and saying: "Reminded everyone there is still a Welshman on tour with first half turnover and [ran a] banging line for his score." also believe Morgan's performance in Queensland has thrust him right into the Test conversation. Giving him a 7/10, they added: "Morgan placed his foot right into the argument for a Test start with a really strong showing in the 7 jersey. "He was his usual industrious self with the ball in hand, grabbing a try and adding his weight to shove Porter over in the first half. "In defence he was a menace in and around the breakdown which was a huge positive for the Lions." There was also praise from The Guardian, who said of Morgan: "He was brilliant. Now the only Welshman in the squad, he could be a starter for the opening Test if he continues to perform like this." Elsewhere, others also impressed. Captain Maro Itoje put in a big display and he got 9/10 in RugbyPass's player ratings. They wrote of the skipper: "Leading the Lions for the first time on Australian soil, Itoje proved a real nuisance at lineout time and showed real intent in defence and in the carry. Won every 50:50 and capped his performance with the Lions' first try. Much more like it." The Daily Mail also dished out a 9/10 for the second row, saying of his performance: "This was one of the captain's hallmark performances. A nuisance in defence, forcing spilt balls and messy rucks. Led from the front with his usual intensity." Finn Russell also received praise from the publication. "Showcased his vast range of passes to ensure the ball reached his wingers," they said. "Seamlessly linked up with (Jamison) Gibson-Park for a Test-ready half-back partnership. Wrap him in cotton wool until the Tests." Article continues below The Telegraph also gave Itoje 9/10, while they handed the same mark to wing Tommy Freeman. "Fumbled his first touch before recovering," they said of the Englishman. "Won back a restart and hunted involvements with typical hunger, scoring twice."
Irish Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Lions Squad selection: the backrow, blindside, openside and no8 in focus
The 2025 Lions squad to tour Australia this summer will be announced today, bringing an end to months of speculation, intrigue and, for the players, anxiety. Here Sports Journalist of the Year DEREK FOLEY takes a look at the contenders for the back-three slots, the obvious picks, the reasons why some players have gained an edge, and those calls that are closest of all. BACKROW: Once fit, Caelan Doris travels and once there will be the first-choice no8 on the Test XV, may be the Test XV captain. Am not in favour of him being named Tour Captain. He will be a rookie in the party and doesn't need the extra workload. There has only been one rookie Tour Captain in the modern era, Sam Warburton, who led the 2013 jaunt to Australia. Warren Gatland freely admitted later that as Warburton was only 24 at the time he felt it was a fair bet he could learn from that and lead the 2017 trip to New Zealand where, at 28, he was likely to be still in the Test XV. Doris is 27. Can't believe there are those suggesting Josh van der Flier won't be in the party, he was excellent against Northampton for instance. Jac Morgan who plays no6 for Wales and no7 at club level will be there too - even if the Wales representation is as low as one, it will be this one. England mixed-and-matched their back-rows position-wise through the Six Nations but Tom Curry was the best of them all, he travels. Scotland's Jamie Ritchie and Rory Darge are a good six-seven combination too, don't buy the theory that the latter's poor performance in the Champions Cup quarter-final against Leinster ruled him out. Lions selection comes from a six-month show reel not a one-off back-foot game. Ben Earl who is such an all-rounder and can play all the positions across the back-row should be ahead of Ben Curry who is an out-and-out no7. What They Are Saying: "Since I have been at Leinster, I don't think Caelan has ever ever left the field with an injury, replaced and subbed yes," says Leinster's double World Cup winning South African Jacques Nienaber. "He is a hard man generally, so that's not good. He saw a specialist and they are doing a procedure on it this week. "Fingers crossed they go in and there is not too much structural damage. My official knowledge is a little bit woozy but if there isn't structural damage, maybe four to six weeks. "If there is, it could go up to anything as big as six months." Should Doris be ruled out this early, that would bring Toby Faletau in with a chance of recall to Lions action despite playing only a dozen senior games since RWC 2023. 34 years-of-age and a veteran of three Lions Tours already, could a player who has yet to find a club for next season be the surprise selection? Of course, it could be simpler and under Andy Farrell's nose, call up Jack Conan who doubles at no8 for Ireland and Leinster when Conan is unavailable. He was, after all, the no8 for the three Lions Tests against South Africa four years back. ONE F says: T Curry (Eng), Darge (Scot), Doris (Ire), Earl (Eng), Morgan (Wales), Richie (Scot), van der Flier (Ire) Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
