Owen Farrell’s British & Irish Lions call-up likened to ‘Geography 6’ as head coach accused of ‘nepotism’
British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell and an inset of fly-half Owen Farrell.
Owen Farrell’s call-up to the British and Irish Lions squad has polarised fans and journalists alike.
The former England captain has not played international rugby since the 2023 Rugby World Cup but has earned a call-up to the touring squad following Elliot Daly’s injury in the victory over the Queensland Reds.
Daly has subsequently been ruled out for the remainder of the tour and head coach Andy Farrell has turned to his son to fill his void in the squad.
Farrell has endured a tough season in France with injuries hampering his involvement, with his time at Racing 92 cut short after Saracens confirmed his return to the Premiership club after just one season away.
Fans react to Owen Farrell’s call-up
The Lions boss explained that the experienced playmaker did not make the initial squad as he lacked fitness when the touring party was announced but has now turned to the England great following the first injury in the backline.
Farrell’s lack of form and the cover at fly-half already in the squad in the form of Fin Smith, Finn Russell and Marcus Smith has led to outrage from fans who have accused the Lions boss of nepotism.
“Nepotism at its finest. Owen Farrell has had a superb career one that we can only dream of but wouldn’t be on his way to Australia if his dad wasn’t the coach,” journalist Neil Fissler wrote on social media platform X.
He was not the only one to hold this view, as many feel the same.
“This version of Owen Farrell should not be getting a Lions call up – no form in 24/25 + injury issues – Plenty of options at 10/12 – no international rugby since 2023 – not a like for like swap with Daly (FB covered may be needed) How can Andy Farrell justify this?” Will Slattery remarked.
Another fan added: “Including Owen Farrell is a bizarre selection ahead of say Tom Jordan. They really didn’t need another 10 in the squad. Nice having your old man as coach.”
There were plenty of posts that agreed, with one reading: “The selection of Owen Farrell is based on nepotism not form – appalling.”
“Terrible call for litany of reasons – hasn’t played, not a replacement for Daly, undermines your captain, tells Marcus Smith he’s surplus to requirements, reeks of nepotism,” a fan remarked.
Snubs
His call-up means that the likes of Darcy Graham, Tom Jordan and George Ford miss out again, three players many believed should have been in the running.
“A penny for Tom Jordan’s thoughts? Surely his versatility is just what Andy Farrell needs if Elliot Daly is out with a suspected broken arm,” Jon Evely wrote online.
Another post added: “Farrell for Daly makes zero sense. Jordan for Daly, on the other hand, makes total sense. And if they have a fly-half injury, George Ford should be called up every single day of the week.”
One fan wrote: “What a kick in the teeth Owen Farrell’s Lions call up is to guys who have been knocking their pan in at international level over the past season. Only good thing is it might hasten the decline of a long flawed concept in a professional rugby era.”
There were also statements from fuming fans that believe that his inclusion “makes a joke of the tour” with one stating that it is “Right up there with the Geography 6”, referencing the players Warren Gatland added to his squad in 2017, with those call-ups benefitting from touring near New Zealand at the time.
Opposing views
While there was a ton of anger around Farrell’s call-up, there were those who celebrated too, as the ex-England captain joins an exclusive club of just five players to have gone on more than three tours.
Willie John McBride and Mike Gibson have represented the team on five tours, with Farrell joining Brian O’Driscoll and Alun Wyn Jones on the list of four-time tourists.
“Delighted to see Owen Farrell become a 4 time @lionsofficial. A legend of the game,” respected Irish pundit Bernard Jackman wrote.
Meanwhile, journalist Matt Hardy pointed to the success that Farrell has enjoyed with the Lions that no other tourist boasts.
“Owen Farrell will be the only member of the playing squad who has actually won a Lions series btw… With so many fans and others writing off Australia pre-tour, it might be a good thing for the team to have a player to remind them how to win a Lions series,” his post read.
One supporter agreed: “The comments about Owen Farrell are ludicrous. 12 is a problem position – it’s clearly not a like for like replacement Owen Farrell is a test match animal & brings so much experience. ‘Devaluing the brand’ when the team is full of Southern hemisphere players is a load of s**t.”
READ MORE: Waratahs team v British & Irish Lions: Tongan Thor part of strong Wallabies presence for tour clash
