British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell is “open-minded” when it comes to selecting France-based players, including son Owen, for the upcoming tour of Australia.
Farrell has suggested 75 players are in contention to make the squad, which will be announced on 8 May, including several France-based players, even though the Top 14 final would rule them out of the Lions’ opening two fixtures, against Argentina in Dublin on 20 June and the Western Force in Perth eight days later.
READ: Farrell — 75 players still in Lions contention
Toulouse duo Blair Kinghorn and Jack Willis are the most likely to be involved in the Top 14 showpiece, while former England captains Owen Farrell and Courtney Lawes are also now with French teams.
“We’re open-minded about all of that,” Farrell told reporters on Wednesday. “We could have a conversation with some clubs over there (France), they might release them. These things will be ongoing.”
Owen Farrell is already a three-time Lions tourist but the flyhalf’s first season at Racing 92 has been hampered by a groin injury. Asked about selecting his son for the tour, Andy Farrell replied: “Same as everyone else. He’s just coming back from injury. You keep an eye on everything.”
England’s Maro Itoje and Ireland’s Caelan Doris are the leading contenders to captain the Lions.
“Obviously (the captain) has to have the respect, not just as a player and not just as a leader within the changing room, but as a leader in the way that he handles himself in the entirety of what a Lions captain should be,” Farrell said.
PLUS: Lions confirm ‘versatile’ coaching team
Lions 2025 schedule:
Saturday 28 June: vs Western Force, Optus Stadium, Perth
Wednesday 2 July: vs Queensland Reds, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Saturday 5 July: vs New South Wales Waratahs, Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Wednesday 9 July: vs ACT Brumbies, GIO Stadium, Canberra
Saturday 12 July: vs Invitational Australian and New Zealand XV, Adelaide Oval
Saturday 19 July: vs Wallabies, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Tuesday 22 July: vs Melbourne Rebels, Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Saturday 26 July: vs Wallabies, Melbourne Cricket Ground
Saturday 2 August: vs Wallabies, Stadium Australia, Sydney
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Photo: Franco Arland/Getty Images
The post Lions coach Farrell ‘open’ to picking son Owen appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell is “open-minded” when it comes to selecting France-based players, including son Owen, for the upcoming tour of Australia.
The post Lions coach Farrell ‘open’ to picking son Owen appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
