Owen Farrell's return questionable: Playing on the brink ahead of Brumbies?

Owen Farrell's return questionable: Playing on the brink ahead of Brumbies?

In the latest developments surrounding the British and Irish Lions, Andy Farrell, the team's coach, has expressed concerns that his son Owen Farrell may not be ready in time for the upcoming game against the Brumbies. Owen was called up as a replacement for Elliot Daly, who injured his arm against the Queensland Reds. Despite his arrival in Australia, there are significant doubts about his fitness to play, particularly as Owen has not played a game due to concussion since May 4, when he played for Racing 92 against Lyon. Andy Farrell explained that Owen still needs to go through the return protocols before he can play again. This means Wednesday's game in Canberra may come too early for him, not just because of jet lag but also because of the formal procedures required regarding his availability.

Meanwhile, Owen Farrell already has an impressive career behind him. He has won 112 caps for England, but took a break from international rugby after the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Andy Farrell also reported that Owen was booed on the big screen at the Allianz Stadium during the last meeting, underlining the challenges facing the player.

Composition of the Lions team

The British and Irish Lions have announced their 38-man squad for the tour to Australia. Owen Farrell was considered for the squad but did not make the final selection. Instead, Finn Russell, Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were introduced as the selected fly-halves. In an interview, Andy Farrell made it clear that Owen is continuing to work on his fitness and could potentially be included in the discussion for a nomination again at a later date.

The selection of 38 players, consisting of 21 forwards and 17 backs, deserves special mention. The selected forwards include well-known names such as Maro Itoje (captain), Tom Curry and Jack Conan, while the back names include Bundee Aki and Hugo Keenan. These structures provide a balanced team that is tailored to different playing styles, like Andy Farrell отметил.

Preparation for the tour

The 2025 Lions tour will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, including all three Tests and six pre-season games. Selection and fixture lists are crucial to shaping preparations for this competitive tour. The discussion surrounding possible late nominations also remains an interesting topic in light of Owen's return and general team dynamics.

The Lions' health is positive, particularly after a solid 21-10 win over the Waratahs, although Henry Pollock had to be pulled out at the last minute due to a tight calf muscle. However, these reports are only a small part of the current challenges that the team has to overcome before the Australian tour.

How the situation surrounding Owen Farrell will develop remains to be seen. Next week could be crucial in determining whether the veteran player returns to the arena or whether the Lions have to choose another path.