All sports streaming channels, bookmakers, and rugby fans at https://ggbetlatvia.com now have their attention on the First Australian Test and its updates. One quite shocking news nowadays in the rugby community is that Owen Farrell is set to miss out completely on the Lions’ matchday squad for Saturday’s clash against Australia in Brisbane, with Marcus Smith expected to claim a place on the bench.
According to The Telegraph, the former England skipper won’t feature in the 23-man lineup, nor will breakout talent Henry Pollock. In a bold move, head coach Andy Farrell looks set to back Smith over his son, opting for fresh energy over family ties.
So, What Happened?
Just weeks after catching flak for naming his son Owen in the squad, Andy Farrell now appears ready to leave him out entirely for the Lions’ opening Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane.
The 33-year-old hasn’t played international rugby since the 2023 World Cup, stepping away from England duties last year before signing with Racing 92 in France, making himself ineligible for national selection.
After a tough season marked by injuries and his Paris club’s struggles, Farrell has missed out on selection as one of the three fly-halves. Instead, Scotland’s Finn Russell and England’s Fin and Marcus Smith have been chosen ahead of him.
The two playmakers will face off against rising Wallaby talent Tom Lynagh, who The Roar confirmed will wear the No.10 jersey, with Ben Donaldson coming off the bench.
Farrell also looks set to hand the No.7 jersey to Tom Curry, forming a well-rounded back row with Tadhg Beirne and Jack Conan. Ollie Chessum is tipped to offer support from the bench.
As expected, Andy Farrell looks set to roll with the all-Scottish midfield duo of Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones. With Garry Ringrose ruled out of the opener, Jones has stepped in at No.13, well-deserved given the form he has been in.
That swap means Finn Russell is expected to start at fly-half in the No.10 jersey, with Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park at scrum-half and Hugo Keenan at fullback. In the centres, Russell will be joined by his fellow Scots, Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones.
However, rising flanker Henry Pollock, who made his England debut earlier this year, has reportedly missed out on a place on the bench.
Tom Curry also seems to have won out in a highly competitive group of No.7s, beating out the in-form Jac Morgan from Wales, former World Rugby Player of the Year Josh van der Flier, and the versatile English duo of Ben Earl and Henry Pollock.
“He’s a machine,” Farrell said. “His work rate and the things he does off the ball are huge. That’s the stuff that makes teams tick. He’s super fit, plays with real intent, and brings physicality every time. I actually think he’s started the tour pretty well.”
Owen Farrell, meanwhile, wasn’t even on the original tour list when the Lions touched down in Australia. Still, with his experience and ability to cover both 10 and 12, not to mention his solid performance against the AUNZ side last weekend, plenty thought the former England captain might sneak into the squad for the first Test. Turns out, not this time.
Instead, it looks like Farrell has put his trust in Marcus Smith, the energetic England playmaker who’s played more at fullback than fly-half during this tour, as his backup option.
This move was predicted by former England and Lions scrum-half Ben Youngs, who believed his old teammate wouldn’t be thrown straight into the action, even with his strong late showing.
“Owen hasn’t played Test rugby in over a year, but he’s one of those players you know will deliver,” Youngs said on “The Roar Rugby” podcast Tuesday.
“When the Lions lost Elliot Daly, Owen was the obvious choice. He’s got the experience and can step in from day one, fully switched on.
The choice to put Marcus Smith on the bench may have a lot to do with his ability to cover fullback, a position that’s become a headache for the Lions lately with Hugo Keenan out sick and both Blair Kinghorn and Mack Hansen dealing with leg injuries.
