A Frosty Atmosphere in the Farrell Household: Owen Farrell Left Out of the British & Irish Lions' 2025 Tour to Australia 🇦🇺
History-making selection: Maro Itoje included in British and Irish Lions squad, while Andy Farrell's son, Owen, is overlooked at 24 years
Maro Itoje steps up as the first English captain of the British & Irish Lions in 24 years, but there might be tense vibes at home after Andy Farrell snubbed his son, Owen, from the touring squad.
At The O2 in London, Andy announced his squad for the Down Under expedition this summer, as 2,000 spectators cheered them on. With nine matches lined up, including a three-game Test series against the Wallabies, the tour will be action-packed.
talkSPORT will bring you the exciting coverage of the entire tour, with Eddie Jones contributing to the broadcast team.
With the injury of Ireland skipper Caelan Doris,Maro Itoje emerged as the leading contender for the captaincy. The Leinster number eight underwent shoulder surgery this week, sidelining him from the tour.
Itoje, who took over as England captain ahead of this year's Six Nations, becomes the first Englishman to captain the Lions since Martin Johnson in Australia in 2001.
The Welsh woes continue with just two players named in the squad. Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams are the only Welshmen heading to Australia, following a record-breaking 17-match losing streak that has left them at the bottom of the last two Six Nations campaigns.
IN THE NEWS
A Lil' Flashback: Eddie Jones' Potential Breakout Star ⚽️
As the Lions head to Australia, one might wonder who could sparkle in the team. According to Eddie Jones, the record-breaking England coach, one such contender could be Marcus Smith – a player with rave reviews, both on and off the field.
All-Star Lineup: talkSPORT's British & Irish Lions Tour Team 🌟
Eddie Jones joins talkSPORT's all-star lineup, eager to provide his expert insights during the tour. Other familiar faces joining the team include...
...
Sexton Facing Awkward Reunion After Criticism 🤦♂️
There might be some frosty moments between Johnny Sexton and Finn Russell during the tour – rivals since their last meeting before the 2021 tour. Since missing out on the squad four years ago, Sexton has been vocal about Russell's flashy play, calling it "showy" back in October.
...
British & Irish Lions Squad 🦁
Forwards:
- Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
- Ollie Chessum (England)
- Jack Conan (Ireland)
- Luke Cowan-Dickie (England)
- Scott Cummings (Scotland)
- Tom Curry (England)
- Ben Earl (England)
- Zander Ferguson (Scotland)
- Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
- Ellis Genge (England)
- Maro Itoje (C) (England)
- Ronan Kelleher (Ireland)
- Joe McCarthy (Ireland)
- Jac Morgan (Wales)
- Henry Pollock (England)
- Andrew Porter (Ireland)
- James Ryan (Ireland)
- Pierre Schoeman (Scotland)
- Dan Sheehan (Ireland)
- Will Stewart (England)
- Josh van der Flier (Ireland)
Backs:
- Bundee Aki (Ireland)
- Elliot Daly (England)
- Tommy Freeman (England)
- Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)
- Mack Hansen (Ireland)
- Huw Jones (Scotland)
- Hugo Keenan (Ireland)
- Blair Kinghorn (Scotland)
- James Lowe (Ireland)
- Alex Mitchell (England)
- Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
- Finn Russell (Scotland)
- Fin Smith (England)
- Marcus Smith (England)
- Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland)
- Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
- Tomos Williams (Wales)
Tour Kick-Off:The Lions will face Argentina in Dublin on June 20 before flying to Australia for their three-match Test series against the Wallabies and several warm-up fixtures against Super Rugby franchises and invitational teams[5].
[1] "Andy Farrell confirms 2025 British & Irish Lions squad: Here's who made the cut and who missed out", RugbyPass.com, https://www.rugbypass.com/news/british-irish-lions-andy-farrell-squad-australia-tour/
[2] "Owen Farrell: Abandoned England captain could miss out on British & Irish Lions selection", DailyMail.co.uk, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-8038119/Owen-Farrell-miss-out-British-Irish-Lions-Aussie-tour-selection.html
[3] "Finn Russell responds to Eddie Jones' comments: 'Ignore the noise, stay in your own lane'", The Telegraph, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2022/10/27/finn-russell-responds-eddie-jones-comments-ignore-noise-stay/
[4] "Finn Russell says Eddie Jones 'nothing more than an old man slagging me off'", The Scotsman,https://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby-union/finn-russell-says-eddie-jones-nothing-more-than-an-old-man-slagging-me-off-3718841
[5] "Everything you need to know about the Lions' 2023 tour of Australia", The Roar,https://www.theroar.com.au/rugby/2022/05/30/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-lions-2023-tour-of-australia/
- Maro Itoje's ascension as the first English captain of the British & Irish Lions in 24 years could be dampened by a frosty atmosphere in the Farrell household, as Owen Farrell, his father, was left out of the touring squad.
- Eddie Jones, the record-breaking England coach, has identified Marcus Smith as a potential breakout star for the Lions, praising his on-field prowess and off-field demeanor.
- In the upcoming British & Irish Lions tour, media broadcaster talkSPORT will bring comprehensive coverage, with Jones contributing to the broadcast team, alongside other familiar faces.
- Fin Smith, Marcus Smith's brother, is also part of the Lions squad for the 2025 tour, providing an opportunity for the family to both join and contribute to the sports event, despite Owen's absence.
