British and Irish Lions reporter notebook: Back-row conundrums, importance of power and Andy Farrell’s final words | Rugby Union News


Back-row conundrums, the importance of power in light of Wallabies injuries and Andy Farrell’s final message to his players. Just some of the multitude of talking points ahead of the British and Irish Lions’ first Test against Australia…

The time has almost arrived, with Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium playing host to a Lions Test in front of a stadium of fans for the first time in eight years – owing to the 2021 tour being confined to behind-closed-doors matches due to Covid.

Team selection, game-plans, key personnel and essential leadership are all in play as head coaches Andy Farrell and Joe Schmidt – a coach formerly at the helm of Ireland – lock horns.

British & Irish Lions Team to play Australia

Back-row conundrums: Have the Lions got it right?

If there was one area for the Lions positionally that was repeatedly discussed in the public domain and which varied wildly in terms of predictions for this opening Test, it was the back-row.

While blindside flanker had seemingly narrowed to a straight shootout between Tadhg Beirne and Ollie Chessum (and many had Chessum in ahead of Beirne), openside flanker was an open battle between four talented players in Tom Curry, Jac Morgan, Josh van der Flier and Henry Pollock.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell says his ‘hotly-contested’ back-row selection will give his side the right balance for the first Test against Australia

The point could even be argued that Ben Earl was in the openside conversation too as a fifth option, but with Jack Conan the only out-and-out No 8 on tour and Earl proving to have a superb impact off the bench in the warm-up fixtures in Australia, their squad places appeared to solidify the closer we got to Thursday’s squad announcement.

Many, many people had Morgan as the starter in the No 7 jersey. The only Welshman left on tour after scrum-half Tomos Williams’ serious hamstring injury following the opening fixture in Australia against Western Force in Perth, Morgan was superb against Queensland Reds.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Former Lions fly-half Dan Biggar has his say on Andy Farrell’s squad and believes Jac Morgan can feel hard done by to be left out

That day in Brisbane a fortnight ago, the 25-year-old Wales captain really displayed his breakdown capabilities and was named player of the match.

Van der Flier has been a stalwart of Farrell’s with Ireland and named World Player of the Year in 2023, so appeared a likely selection too, while Pollock has shown off his immense potential and superb skill in several displays.

In fact, perhaps the quietest openside performer on tour so far has been Curry, but it’s the England man who has been handed the shirt. Why? Of the four players discussed Curry is the most physical, and physicality looks to be a route the Lions can really profit from on Saturday.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Henry Pollock is another back-row player to miss out on the Lions squad for Saturday’s first Test, we look at the best of him on the 2025 tour so far

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

We take a look at the best of Morgan on the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour so far

Curry is also a breakdown nuisance and closer to Morgan in that respect than Van der Flier or Pollock. Beirne’s selection at No 6 is also most certainly with the breakdown in mind: Argentina and Australia’s Super Rugby sides have targeted the breakdown and had joy on tour so far, but the Ireland and Munster forward is an exceptional jackler.

Whatever back-row selection Farrell and his staff were going to make, two or three fantastic players were going to be sat in the stands in suits and ties. The Lions head coach will just hope he isn’t looking at Morgan, Van der Flier and Pollock and thinking: ‘If only.’

Tom Curry
Image:
Tom Curry has been named to start for the Lions against Australia in Saturday’s first Test and needs a big performance

Power game the difference maker?

Historically, and far more than against the other two of rugby’s southern hemisphere ‘big three’, South Africa and New Zealand, Australia have been a side to target in terms of the physical contest and at set-piece, particularly at scrum.

Thursday’s team news announcement brought this fact into even more acute focus with news the Wallabies’ back-to-back player of the year and statistical leading ball carrier for the last four years Rob Valetini and mammoth La Rochelle lock Will Skelton had both been ruled out of the opening Test due to respective calf injuries.

Australia’s two most powerful forwards and best carrying options have been wiped out and the Lions will sense opportunity. In the tight is where this game can clearly be won for them.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Australia head coach Joe Schmidt is hopeful Rob Valetini and Will Skelton will be fit to return for the second Test

Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy and Jack Conan are all big carriers in the forwards, while Maro Itoje, Beirne and Curry ooze confrontation in defence and attack.

Even the Lions’ backline looks big: Tommy Freeman, Sione Tuipulotu and James Lowe are three of the most impactful ball carrying backs at present.

Make it a game about power and the Lions should get on top, dominate possession and territory and score tries.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Former Lions captain Sam Warburton has his say on where the team is currently at as they prepare to take on Australia

At the scrum, Australia’s most powerful prop in recent years Taniela Tupou seems not to be fancied by Schmidt and has been overlooked again. Allan Alaalatoa and replacement Tom Robertson are not nearly as strong in the set-piece, though, while 36-year-old James Slipper starts at loosehead.

The Lions have romped forward at scrum-time consistently all tour and will expect to do so again, earning penalties for easy territory gains and more try-scoring chances.

Farrell to his Lions players: Make sure you have no regrets

Speaking to the written media at the Lions’ hotel in Brisbane on Thursday, Farrell was clear in terms of the message he would be giving his players among a climate of his side being talked up as hot favourites: “Have no regrets.”

Asked what the last thing he would say to his side before kick-off would be, he said: “I always think this: Make sure you have no regrets. Don’t get in your own way.

“You don’t want to come off the pitch and think: ‘I wish I had another chance to be myself.’ You’ve got to go and make it happen when it matters.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Lions head coach Andy Farrell’s former rugby league team-mates Terry O’Connor and Brian Carney share what he was like in the dressing room and as a leader

Farrell revealed he ran into former Australian rugby league legend Gorden Tallis in the street this week, engaging in a 20-minute chat.

Part of their conversation turned to the notion of favourites and underdogs in sport, with Tallis saying Queensland – whom he represented in State of Origin from 1994 to 2003 – were regularly considered underdogs, but the players themselves “never, ever saw it that way,” winning Origin titles in 1998 and 2001, and retaining the shield in 1999 and 2002 with series draws.

“Why wouldn’t we [embrace being favourites]?” Farrell added. “At the end of the day, you get asked questions like that, but internally you are just getting on with building your own belief and own confidence as a team.

“It’s about your preparation and how you get down to performing. That’s what really matters.

“There’s no overconfidence at all. It’s having an inner confidence in our group that we’re going to execute the plan when it matters.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Biggar gives his prediction for the first Test match between the Lions and Australia, claiming that it can be dangerous to underestimate the Wallabies

“There’s a realisation of what it is and what it means and how privileged we are etc, but again that doesn’t get in the way of how prepared we are to allow ourselves to be the best versions of ourselves.

“I haven’t played against many Australia sides that are considered underdogs. I’m sure they will want to prove a point.

“Australia are in a position where it comes down to this every 12 years to represent their county. They’ll be fighting tooth and nail.”

Watch the first Australia vs British and Irish Lions Test on Saturday on Sky Sports The Lions & Main Event from 10am (kick-off 11am).

British and Irish Lions tour of Australia on Sky Sports

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Watch the British and Irish Lions’ tour of Australia exclusively live on Sky Sports this summer

Sky Sports will exclusively show the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, with all three Tests against the Wallabies and seven warm-up matches to be shown exclusively live.

British and Irish Lions 2025 tour schedule

Date Opponent Venue
Friday, June 20 Argentina (L 28-24) Dublin
Saturday, June 28 Western Force (W 54-7) Perth
Wednesday, July 2 Queensland Reds (W 52-12) Brisbane
Saturday, July 5 NSW Waratahs (W 21-10) Sydney
Wednesday, July 9 ACT Brumbies (W 36-24) Canberra
Saturday, July 12 Invitational AU-NZ (W 48-0) Adelaide
Saturday, July 19 AUSTRALIA (first Test) Brisbane
Tuesday, July 22 First Nations & Pasifika XV Melbourne
Saturday, July 26 AUSTRALIA (second Test) Melbourne
Saturday, August 2 AUSTRALIA (third Test) Sydney

Howden Insurance – proud principal partner and front-of-shirt sponsor of the British and Irish Lions. Find out more here.

More From Author

If I were Nestory’s coach… How young Socceroos star can flourish in the Championship furnace

Ashok Leyland bonus shares get credited to demat accounts; stock drops marginally

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *