Stephen Jones bemoans British and Irish Lions ‘near-catastrophe’ and slams Andy Farrell’s ‘odd selections’
Stephen Jones has hit out at Andy Farrell's call-ups.
Prominent British journalist Stephen Jones has hit out at Andy Farrell’s decision to call up Ireland prop Finlay Bealham and England’s Asher Opoku-Fordjour.
Scottish tighthead prop Zander Fagerson was ruled out of the British and Irish Lions tour earlier this week, with the front-rower sidelined through injury.
Meanwhile, two-time tourist Tadhg Furlong remains a doubt as the veteran prop continues to struggle with injuries that has seen him play just nine times for club and country this season.
Backlash from Bealham call-up
The front-rower continues to struggle with a calf injury, with Leinster stating that he will be assessed further ahead of the United Rugby Championship (URC) final against the Bulls.
Jones believes that the Lions are in a disastrous situation with the tighthead prop stocks and believes that Bealham is not of the same standard as the other front-rowers.
Additionally, he bemoaned Opoku-Fordjour being on standby after his struggles against Leicester Tigers in the Premiership semi-final.
“Tight-head disaster. 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,” he posted on social media platform X.
“Bad luck. Odd selections.”
He further slammed Farrell’s selection of Bealham in a reply to a comment that read: “Bealham has performed well when needed for club and country time and time again.”
Jones’ reply stated that Bealham is ‘bang average’ and added in another reply that uncapped England forward Afolabi Fasogbon should have been in the squad from the start.
British & Irish Lions suffer setback as ‘explosive prop’ forced to withdraw from Australia tour
England hooker Jamie George has also been added to Farrell’s squad for the training camp in Portugal.
The 34-year-old, a two-time tourist, links up with the Lions ahead of the clash against Argentina to provide cover because of Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher’s involvement in the URC Final.
Players from Bath, Leicester Tigers and Leinster, who are involved in the Premiership and URC finals respectively, are set to join the squad in Ireland next week.
Meanwhile, Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has named 11 uncapped players in his 32-man squad, which is void of several Top 14 players.
