Owen Farrell and Kyle Sinckler secure new jobs ahead of Lions tour
Owen Farrell and Kyle Sinckler secure new jobs ahead of Lions tour
Neither Owen Farrell nor Kyle Sinckler were selected to go on the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia this year, but this hasn’t stopped either player from being involved.
Both England stars will be heading over the metaphorical media line this summer, joining the Sky Sports punditry team as part of their British and Irish Lions coverage. This will be Farrell’s first major role behind the mic after years of performing in front of the media and fans.
Farrell’s career is far from over, however, with the former England captain still very much in contention for a spot in the Lions squad if his return to fitness goes as planned.
Rumours of his arrival into the squad are building, boosted now by the knowledge that the 33-year-old is only contracted to work the Argentina match, leaving him free to join the players as they head to Australia – should dad Andy choose to include him.
Kyle Sinckler – The geography one
Many will remember the infamous geography six of 2017, when Finn Russell, Allan Dell, Kristian Dacey, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill and Gareth Davies all travelled the ‘short’ distance to New Zealand to join the Lions tour following a spate of injuries.
Well, with Sinckler now confirmed as a pundit in Australia, is the former England prop likely to be used as an injury replacement amid the existing “tighthead disaster” – as recently put by well-known rugby journalist Stephen Jones?
Posting on the social media platform, X recently, Jones said: “Near-catastrophe for Lions as Zander Fagerson withdraws – Tadhg Furlong fitness very suspect – they’ve called up Finlay Bealham who is not in same class and also on standby is Opoku-Fordjour, who struggled badly for Sale against Tigers on Saturday,”
The 32-year-old Sinckler, whilst contracted to Sky Sports, will certainly have an eye on his phone in case Andy Farrell comes calling.
Sky Sports punditry team
Joining the already star-studded punditry setup will be former Lions coaches, Warren Gatland and Sir Ian McGeechan, along with former Lions players, Dan Biggar, Ronan O’Gara, Will Greenwood, Sinckler and Conor Murray.
Former internationals, John Barclay and Nolli Waterman will also be regular, on-screen, presences in the months to come.
Two-time Lions captain Sam Warburton will run Sky’s state-of-the-art studio where he will provide in-depth analysis for viewers, while Alex Payne will run the show from the front.
On the ground, the experienced commentator Miles Harrison will provide all the live coverage as he looks to bring the atmosphere and the energy to the TV screens back home.
