Andy Farrell fielded a team that was a mix of candidates for at least a bench spot in Saturday’s second Test against Australia, some tour veterans who won’t be playing in that match, and a handful of temporary makeweights who won’t be needed again on this trip.
But the more pressing matters were which players, including the 33-year-old Farrell junior himself, might be seen again in the weekend’s main event across town at the MCG.
Blair Kinghorn
Kinghorn is a class act valuable to the Lions, especially with Mack Hansen struggling with injury, and Test full-back Hugo Keenan not impregnable.
So while Test wings Tommy Freeman and James Lowe had ups and downs last Saturday, they should be given another go.
Marcus Smith, a possible full-back cover, went off for an HIA but passed it.
Verdict: A tight call on Kinghorn who might have been on the bench for the first Test until he damaged a knee. He can also fill in at fly-half if something happens to Finn Russell.
Ollie Chessum could be a direct replacement if needed, and then the scrutiny here fell on starting second rows James Ryan and Scott Cummings, and trying to work out if Cummings playing 80 minutes, and Ryan coming off after 53 meant anything significant.
Read Next
square RUGBY UNION Sport AnalysisRusty Lions expose Australia’s sad decline in opening Test win
Read MoreCummings has responded very well to an early iffy performance on tour.
The focus then turns to who might fill a Chessum vacancy among the subs, and both Jac Morgan and Josh van der Flier went well here, several times in tandem in doubles to halt a highly physical FNP side.
If Earl’s mixed effort from the bench in the first Test raised any concerns, he produced a big carry to give the Lions an exit from their own 22 here, and keeps offering the gainline threat in midfield off line-outs.
Henry Pollock made two turnovers in this match including a crucial one late in the piece, but the young Englishman also committed a daft offence grabbing an opponent’s scrum-cap in a maul, which could easily have been punished by a yellow card and would be viewed dimly if repeated in a tight Test match.
Verdict: Two out of three of Morgan, Van der Flier and Earl to be replacements on Saturday, if McCarthy does not make it and Chessum stokes the heart of the engine room alongside captain Maro Itoje.
Jamie George
Later threw a poor pass, ruining a possible try for Duhan van der Merwe, for which he apologised.
Played 73 minutes and would surely not let anyone down if he benched on Saturday.
There will be no change of starting hooker in Dan Sheehan but reserve Ronan Kelleher shared in the general mish-mash produced by the eight subs as a collective last Saturday, so a new-old face could be seen in the No 16 jersey.
Verdict: Luke Cowan-Dickie is on track to be fit again after his return-to-play protocols, and is vying with George to nudge Kelleher off the pine.
Garry Ringrose
A tantalising one, this, as Ringrose was expected to start the first Test only to be unavailable and see Huw Jones fill the role with aplomb.
Verdict: Ringrose, a magnificent defender, is a strong bench option, or could even start although that would be harsh on Jones.
Ben White
Alex Mitchell has been the go-to back-up for first-choice Jamison Gibson-Park up to now, but White is putting the pressure on.
Verdict: Oh to be a fly on the wall when the Lions coaches have their selection meeting on Wednesday morning, with Andy Farrell saying the team will be picked in the evening. Mitchell has done most of what has been required of him in a busy tour, but White has persuasive form and might get the shout.
Owen Farrell
In his 21st Lions appearance across four tours, that have included six Tests, Farrell started at No 12 outside Fin Smith, then moved to fly-half when Smith was substituted after 66 minutes – so, the two positions he has occupied in his long Test career and which he could cover from the bench on Saturday.
An early scuffle in support of a team-mate getting a clout, and a couple of interventions at first receiver, with Smith lying deeper or looping round behind him, were reminders of the options Farrell offers, as was a left-footed chip that ended with an eighth-minute try for Osborne.
Possible Lions 23 for the second Test against Australia
Hugh Godwin’s preferred Lions team for the second Test (Graphic: The i Paper)Starting XV: Hugo Keenan; Tommy Freeman, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, James Lowe; Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park; Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje, Ollie Chessum, Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry, Jack Conan.
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Andrew Porter, Will Stuart, Jac Morgan, Ben Earl, Ben White, Garry Ringrose, Blair Kinghorn.
Owen looked like he might have been labouring when chasing back at the end of the first half, and only he will know how his fitness held up.
Whatever happened tonight, Farrell junior as a No 12 could not be more different to the Lions’ incumbent Sione Tuipulotu, so if he is to oust Bundee Aki or Marcus Smith from the existing Test bench, it would either be to change tack during a match or act as insurance against something the Lions think is a new danger from Australia.
Verdict: The Lions really should not need Farrell to beat Australia on Saturday, unless his father thinks things will get tough in the second half and they will be in need of a renowned warrior spirit. Many observers are convinced “Little Faz” is destined for the 23.
Hence then, the article about seven lions players who pressed test claims and how owen farrell rated was published today ( ) and is available on inews ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Seven Lions players who pressed Test claims – and how Owen Farrell rated )
Also on site :
- GCE Global Solutions Corp. Announces Strategic Acquisition of GCE Payroll Advisers Inc. to Strengthen Global EOR and Payroll Platform
- Trump Wants To”Unleash Hell” In 2026; POTUS Tries To Go Full Maximus With A Misguided ‘Gladiator’ Flex
- Parents of Campbell Hall student killed in the school’s parking lot file wrongful death suit