Almost a week after touching down in Australia, Owen Farrell will get the chance to prove his worth ahead of the three-match series against the Wallabies after being selected in the Lions side to take on the AUNZ Invitational clash in Adelaide.
Farrell, 33, has been selected on an England-heavy bench alongside his former Test teammates Alex Mitchell and Marcus Smith. Fin Smith – the rising England playmaker, who started much of the Six Nations in the No.10 jersey – will start a week after struggling to make an impression against the Waratahs.
With Andy Farrell resting his entire first-choice XV following their scratchy 36-24 win over the Brumbies on Wednesday evening, time is running out to make an impression ahead of the July 19 opener in Brisbane.
Farrell has gone in with a Scottish heavy backline, with Ben White earning his first start alongside Smith in the halves.
Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones form the midfield, with their compatriot Duhan van der Merwe on the wing.
The Scottish trio are joined by Irish duo Hugo Keenan at fullback and Mack Hansen on the other wing.
Owen Farrell will play his first minutes for the Lions against the AUNZ Invitational side in what is his fourth campaign. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
Up front, Tadhg Beirne captains the side in the second-row and will pack down alongside his Irish teammate James Ryan.
It’s a mobile and dynamic back-row, with Henry Pollock teaming up with Jac Morgan and Ben Earl. But AUNZ coach Les Kiss will hope to exploit the Lions’ lack of height at the lineout.
Up front, Luke Cowan-Dickie will pack down in the front-row alongside Pierre Schoeman and Will Stuart.
Farrell, who was confident his side were on track to hit the ground running in Brisbane next week, reiterated his comments following Wednesday’s win in the nation’s capital.
“We are in a great position just over a week out from the first Test,” Farrell said.
“The players now have another chance to put in a strong team performance and put a hand up for selection for the Test matches against the Wallabies.
“Les Kiss has assembled a strong squad with lots of international experience and we know that he will have them well organised and they will bring a lot of physicality to the contest.”
Like Joe Schmidt, who will have eyes on Tane Edmed, Farrell will be interested to see how his son, Owen, goes after his late call-up.
The England great’s call-up divided opinion, with many accusing him of nepotism after Farrell’s stop-start season in the French Top 14, which ultimately saw him leave Racing 92 after just one season to return to Saracens.
Farrell, who is in his fourth Lions campaign and last played a Test in England’s third-place win over Argentina at the 2023 World Cup, also hasn’t played since May.
Lions (1-15): Pierre Schmoeman, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Will Stuart, James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne (c), Henry Pollock, Jac Morgan, Ben Earl, Ben White, Fin Smith, Duhan van der Merwe, Sione Tuipulotu, Huw Jones, Mack Hansen, Hugo Keenan
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Finley Bealham, Scott Cummings, Josh Van der Flier, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Owen Farrell
AUNZ Invitational side (1-15): Aidan Ross, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Angus Blyth, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Shannon Frizell, Pete Samu, Hoskins Sotutu, Folau Fakatava, Tane Edmed, Marika Koroiete, David Havili, Ngani Laumape, AJ Lam, Shaun Stevenson
Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Josh Fusitu’a, George Dyer, Matt Philip, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughin-Phillips, Jock Campbell
