Ex-England captain Farrell set to replace injured Daly in Lions squad

Owen Farrell, the former England captain, will be eligible for a remarkable call-up for the Australian tour of the British and Irish Lions.

Utility back Elliot Daly has been ruled out with an arm injury he sustained in Wednesday’s win over the Queensland Reds, and coach Andy Farrell will turn to his son in the interim.

After a difficult season in Paris with Racing 92, 33-year-old Owen Farrell recently made his Saracens debut.

Before taking a break from England duty after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, he won 112 caps for his nation.

There is no denying Farrell’s credentials because he was a Test Lion on the 2013 and 2021 tours.

However, his request is contentious.

After suffering a concussion while playing for Racing against Lyon on May 4, his final game for the Top 14 side, Farrell hasn’t played international rugby in nearly two years and hasn’t played at all in nearly nine weeks.

Other contenders have been training and getting ready for competitive rugby with their respective national teams, including Blair Murray from Wales and Tom Jordan from Scotland.

However, Andy Farrell confirmed that Owen, despite not having any international rugby, was in contention for a place in the Lions squad when he named them on May 8th.

The Lions’ midfield could change with Farrell’s inclusion, with the Saracens playmaker comfortable at both the fly-half and inside center.

Finn Russell, Bundee Aki, and Sione Tuipulotu are the clear favorites to start the Test series at fly-half, as of right now.

Marcus Smith had yet to have the opportunity to start in his preferred position of number 10, while Fin Smith had been scheduled to serve as Russell’s backup.

After the Lions defeated the Queensland Reds 52-12, Andy Farrell suggested even if Daly was ruled out, they still had “lots of full-backs.”

Hugo Keenan and Blair Kinghorn, who both arrived late following Toulouse’s Top 14 victory, have both struggled with injuries and illness, respectively.

Four days later, the Lions take on the ACT Brumbies in Canberra before hosting the New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday.