Andy Farrell’s verdict on when Owen will play for the British and Irish Lions and update provided on Henry Pollock
British and Irish Lions backs Owen Farrell and Bundee Aki with an inset of Henry Pollock.
Owen Farrell was seen on the sidelines during the British and Irish Lions’ victory over the NSW Waratahs on Saturday.
Andy Farrell’s charges produced a clunky performance but still managed to defeat the Sydney-based outfit.
The Lions were without the services of Henry Pollock, who withdrew from the encounter through injury, causing a shuffle in the forward pack.
Henry Pollock’s injury and Farrell’s availability
The head coach explained that they opted not to risk the livewire back-rower and sat him out as a precaution.
“It was just a bit of an awareness on a calf strain that was tight enough this morning so, knowing what we knew, there was no need to risk him,” Farrell told reporters.
Following the injury to Elliot Daly, Farrell controversially called up his son Owen to the touring squad and while he expects the ex-England captain to challenge for a spot in the Test team to face the Wallabies, the head coach revealed that he is unlikely to pull on the famous red jersey immediately.
The playmaker joined the Lions in Australia on Friday evening and has to acclimatise and overcome any signs of jetlag before he is considered.
“He slept last night so hopefully the jet lag is not too bad,” coach Farrell explained.
“Probably not [be in the squad against the Brumbies].
“I don’t know, with jet lag etc., you’ve got to go through protocols. That normally takes a few more days than that I would have thought.”
The head coach was pleased that his side were able to come out on top against the ‘Tahs despite the unconvincing nature of the result, as it gives his coaching team a lot to work with.
Next up for the Lions is the Brumbies in Canberra, a match slated to be played in wet weather, something that pleases the Lions boss.
“It looks like there could be a bit of rain so that’s good for us, we need to play in that as well,” he added.
“But we also know that they’re top side in the Australian division, and we also know what happened as far as the Lions is concerned in 2013, so we know it’s a big day on Wednesday for us all.”
