Andy Farrell to reveal British and Irish Lions squad for Australia on May 8
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British & Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell during the press conference at Canterbury's Offices, London, on March 26 to announce his assistant coaches for the tour of Australia.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Andy Farrell will provide answers to some of the most widely discussed questions in rugby on May 8 when he reveals his British and Irish Lions squad to tour Australia.
Has extraordinary 20-year-old England flanker Henry Pollock done enough to force his way into the hyper-competitive back-row mix?
Will Marcus Smith’s versatility be enough to earn a slot when there are half a dozen fullbacks and fly-halves – including Farrell’s son Owen – now seemingly ahead of him?
Will Ireland’s Caelan Doris be fit to travel, and if not, does Maro Itoje assume the captain’s role? How many Welsh players will travel on the back of their appalling run of 17 successive defeats?
Farrell is on a sabbatical from his role as Ireland coach and, with his assistants showing something of a green tint, that nation is likely to have the most representatives in the party on the back of their dominant form in recent years.
He has not said how many players he plans to take, but it is almost certain to be fewer than the 41 Warren Gatland led to New Zealand in 2017 or the 37 for South Africa in 2021.
One thing known about the former dual code international is that he puts huge importance on personality and attitude, and in any 50-50 call, he will lean towards the man who has demonstrated “teamship” and is made of the right stuff.
That makes the possible selection of his son, a proven Test and Lions operator, a viable option at fly-half, despite stepping away from England duties after the 2023 World Cup. Scotland’s Finn Russell looks nailed on, with young duo Fin Smith and Sam Prendergast also in the mix for three slots.
The back three looks more open, with probably only James Lowe and Tommy Freeman on everybody’s list. Smith’s versatility could earn him a berth, but Farrell might prefer Scotland’s Darcy Graham and, if fit, Blair Kinghorn.
Duhan van der Merwe, who started all three Lions Tests in 2021, is battling to recover from ankle surgery and that might go against the Scotland winger.
Centre is not an area of great depth for the Lions, which means Scotland’s Sione Tuipulotu will probably travel even though a chest injury has kept him out of action for months.
In contrast, Farrell could probably perm any seven from a dozen high quality back rowers, with Jac Morgan probably Wales’ only guaranteed squad selection along with a probable scrum-half in Tomos Williams.
England alone could provide Tom and Ben Curry, Tom and Jack Willis, Ben Earl, Sam Underhill, Courtney Lawes and, in what would be a classic Lions bolter, Pollock.
Ireland could well provide two hookers in the shape of Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher, and two props in Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong.
The probable injury-absence of Doris makes Itoje hot favourite to be the captain, though half a dozen men could make a case to join him in the lock department.
All will be revealed at London’s 02 Arena on May 8, with ticketed fans at the event for the first time.
The Lions kick off with a game against Argentina in Dublin on June 20. They will have five tour games before the first Test in Brisbane on July 19. The second and third Tests are on July 26 and Aug 2. REUTERS
