Andy Farrell: Owen decision is ‘not just my call’ as British & Irish Lions boss explains controversial inclusion in extreme detail
British and Irish Lions fly-half Owen Farrell and head coach Andy Farrell.
British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell has explained his decision to call up his son Owen to the squad in Australia.
The former England captain endured an injury-stricken season with Racing 92 and hasn’t played any international rugby since the World Cup in 2023 after opting to step away from Test rugby.
However, he was the man whom the Lions coaches turned to following the injury to his club and country teammate Elliot Daly.
The call has been made all the more controversial for some when one considers that Owen’s father is the head coach.
Following the announcement of the Lions’ 23 tackle the NSW Waratahs in the touring team’s third game, the press conference was dominated by questions on the latest addition to the squad.
“It’s not just me”
The head coach addressed the concerns of the reporters in attendance, with Andy explaining that while the final decision lies with him, Owen’s call had been widely discussed among the coaches.
“There are other coaches in the conversation; it’s not just me,” Farrell said.
“Obviously, I make the final call, and I’m happy to do that, but these conversations have been going on in the background all the time about all sorts of players, and that’s the call we’ve come to.”
Daly, who broke his forearm, which ended his tour, covered multiple positions in the squad, including full-back, wing and centre, while Farrell is set to feature at fly-half and inside centre.
Farrell explained that there is sufficient cover in the outside backs and at number 13, meaning that there was more of a need for cover at fly-half and number 12.
“What we need for the squad in the here and now with Elliot going and Blair coming in, and the options we’ve got at 15 and the plenty of options we’ve got at 13 and wing, etc. We are a little bit vulnerable at 12, and obviously, he can play 10 as well, when you look at the experience that Elliot brought,” the head coach said.
“The experience isn’t just the playing side, it’s how you make the group feel, the little chats that you have around the place to make sure everything gels together. Owen obviously brings a lot of that into the group.”
He added: “He is the right man for us at this moment in time and we know how well he looks after himself and prides himself on keeping himself in good nick anyway. At this stage, there are plenty of players who haven’t played in a while and experience helps in knowing what you can do [to be ready].”
Farrell is fit and ready to go
As mentioned above, Owen Farrell’s recent injury record and lack of match time is a concern but the head coach is confident that he is ready to go for the Lions with the only caveat being how well he travels.
“Well, he’s fit or else he wouldn’t be picked,” he added.
“I know that the guys have been keeping in close touch with him and others regarding that, and he’s been training full ball for quite some time now.”
Farrell joins an exclusive club of just five players who have featured on more than three Lions tours as he is set to pull on the famous red jersey for the second time in Australia.
Brian O’Driscoll and Alun Wyn Jones went on four tours with the B&I Lions, while only Willie John McBride and Mike Gibson have been on five.
“He should be proud of himself, obviously, but it’s what we do in the here and now that counts, doesn’t it? He flies in here late Friday night, so I’m sure he’ll be dying to get at it,” Andy remarked.
But does Owen have a chance of featuring in the Tests against the Wallabies? In the head coach’s view, there would be no point in calling him in if he wasn’t vying for a place in the matchday squads to face Australia.
“Well, if he didn’t have a chance, then what’s the point? Everyone in the group should be competing; that’s what everyone would want,” the Lions boss said.
“Along with that, obviously, the experience he brings is the support that you need for the group.”
Bittersweet
The inclusion of the ex-England skipper comes at the expense of Daly, who was in red-hot form for the Lions in the opening three matches.
The same was true for Welsh scrum-half Tomos Williams, who was also outstanding for the side before a hamstring injury ended his tour.
“I sure hope it’s not a trend,” said Farrell.
“But the reality is that it’s the sport that we all sign up for and play, and we know the history tells us that these things happen constantly on a tour like this, especially when the games are coming thick and fast.
“You think that you’re going okay as far as injuries are concerned, and we actually are across the board, but it’s just unfortunate over the last two games that we’ve lost two of our teammates. So, everyone else has pulled through okay.”
The head coach added that the news was bittersweet for Saracens teammates Farrell and Daly.
“They are best mates, so they’re devastated,” he said.
“It does show what kind of bloke Elliot is when he realised it was Owen that was coming in for him, he was actually delighted for him.”
After injury denied Zander Fagerson the opportunity to play for the British and Irish Lions, Farrell divulged the pleasure of making a phone call to Finlay Bealham informing him of his call-up.
While the Irish prop was overcome by emotion, the phone call to his son was far more formal and to the point.
“Well, he didn’t cry like Finlay,” the Lions coach revealed.
“I suppose that’s what happens when it’s your fourth tour. He’s delighted like everyone else. It was just a very short conversation, as in ‘yep I can get ready, get packed, ready to go’.”
