"Genuine concern" - Sir Clive Woodward slams Andy Farrell's glaring mistake

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The Scotland star lasted just 25 minutes in Canberra before being forced off, replaced by Marcus Smith after a Brumbies player landed awkwardly on him. Kinghorn tried to play through the pain but had to concede defeat.

Woodward, who had Kinghorn locked in as his starting Test fullback, now fears the Lions are staring at a major hole in their back three.

“Everyone connected with the Lions will be hoping the injury which forced Blair Kinghorn from the field against the Brumbies on Wednesday isn’t too serious," wrote Woodward in his column for the Mail Online.

"The Scotland star has long been pencilled in as my starting full back for the Tests with Australia, despite him arriving late on tour after winning the Top14 with Toulouse. That hasn’t changed, but the Lions and coach Andy Farrell will be sweating on his fitness now. If Kinghorn isn’t fit to take on the Wallabies, I think the Lions have a big gap at No 15. Such a scenario would also bring Owen Farrell’s call-up further under the microscope.”

With Elliot Daly ruled out last week with a broken arm, Woodward believes Farrell took a big risk by calling up son Owen — who can only play fly-half or centre — rather than reinforcing the fullback position.

“I do have genuine concerns about the 15 shirt. When Elliot Daly was forced home with a broken arm just seven days ago, after playing the first two games Down Under at full back, Andy Farrell clearly felt he had enough back-field cover in Kinghorn, Hugo Keenan and Marcus Smith. Tommy Freeman can also play there.

"That’s why he got on the phone to his son. There has been a lot written and said about Owen’s selection. As the man in charge, Andy Farrell was entitled to pick whoever he wanted and there can be no doubting Owen’s international pedigree. Some questioned his form and fitness, and that had merit. However, the bigger issue here is that going for Owen Farrell – who can only play fly-half or centre – ran the risk of leaving the Lions exposed at full back.”

With Kinghorn now a major doubt for the opening Test, that risk looks very real.

“I had no issue with selecting Owen, but I think it was a mistake not to call up a specialist No 15 as well as Farrell Jnr.”

It’s a tough lesson in squad planning — and one Woodward says any experienced coach should have seen coming.

“Hindsight, of course, is 20:20. If Kinghorn hadn’t limped off in Canberra, would we be having this debate? The answer is no. But as a coach, you have to be prepared for everything.”

Now, with the Test series looming, Andy Farrell’s back-three blueprint is under serious scrutiny.

Here are the players that Ruck and other media outlets believe failed to impress against the Brumbies:

Despite scoring a try, Lowe had a disappointing performance marred by uncharacteristic errors. He botched an early try-scoring opportunity, threw loose passes, overhit kicks, and lacked confidence throughout. Though he made over 50 metres with ball in hand, his overall impact was minimal before being subbed off in the 63rd minute.

RUCK 5/10: "A game to forget for Lowe. Yes, he got a try but he was off the pace all match, before he got replaced by Hansen in the 63rd minute. His kicking game is an asset to the Lions but Lowe seemed to lack a lot of confidence, best shown by a botched try as he tried to step back instead of diving for the tryline. Hopefully, he can come back stronger."

Rugby Pass 5/10: "It was all going horribly wrong for the winger until he strolled home just before the half-hour mark after a sweet handling move. Before that, he’d blown a relatively easy try-scoring opportunity when he failed to ground the ball, and been guilty of a litany of errors, including throwing wild passes, being tackled into touch and over-hitting kicks."

Planet Rugby 5/10: "Did fantastically well to blunder a try in the first half, which was frankly embarrassing for a player of his quality. Did get over the line when there was no one in front of him soon after to make amends. He got his hands on the ball plenty and gained over 50 metres, but it was far from a compelling shift, which included two turnovers conceded."

Scored a try and assisted another but looked hesitant in the Lions jersey. Given a golden opportunity to push for the Test full-back spot after replacing Kinghorn early, Smith showed flashes of brilliance but failed to make a compelling case.

Rugby Pass 5.5/10: "Hopefully, the Quins man will take confidence from scoring a try and coming up with an assist, but looks strangely hesitant in a Lions’ jersey. Had a great opportunity to press for the Test No.15 jersey after getting just under an hour as a replacement for Kinghorn, but didn’t really do enough to silence the doubters."

FLORUGBY 6/10: "Defensively, Smith remains a mile off the mark at fullback, but you can see what the coaches like with his attacking game as a second distributor. The question will be, can the Lions work a way to negate his frailties in the backfield? Unfortunately, his lack of game time at ten feels set to be a deciding factor that could drop him out of contention."

A mixed performance from Curry, combining high work-rate and a key assist with costly errors. While he defended well with eight tackles, his game was marred by turnovers, penalties, and a poor second-half spell. Removed after 50 minutes, he didn't strengthen his Test selection claims.

FLORUGBY 5/10: "Reverting back to his favoured position of openside, the England backrow was industrious but lacked the clinical edge that he is renowned for. Clearly acknowledging that he is playing catch-up on Josh van der Flier and Jac Morgan for a starting role, Curry forced his hand a few times, notably in the 41st minute, which killed a Lions attack and sent the Brumbies on their way for a long-range attack. Replaced in the 50th minute, having made 10 tackles (2 missed) and 4 carries, and 1 carry was not the momentum-shifting performance he would’ve hoped for."

Telegraph 6/10: "A mixed bag. Curry was busy and bustling and set up Marcus Smith’s score. However, he also coughed up possession twice and shipped a needless penalty."

BALLS 6/10: "His work-rate was crucial in creating some overloads in attack. One knock-on, over on the right wing. Good offload for Smith's try. Threw an intercept, then scrambled over and conceded a penalty for playing the 9 (Lonergan) at the breakdown. Stuck eight tackles but missed two, and made little ground on his carries."

Planet Rugby 4/10: "Compounded a loose pass in the second half by conceding a penalty when the Brumbies broke away on the counter for a massive territorial deficit. He conceded another turnover in what was an underwhelming shift that included two missed tackles, too. In a congested loose trio, he did his chances of a Test start no favours in arguably his best position and was removed after 50 minutes."

An unfortunate outing for Kinghorn, who suffered a leg injury just minutes into the match and was forced off after 25 minutes. Dropped an early high ball and made some basic errors before exiting, missing his chance to stake a claim for the full-back role.

Planet Rugby 5/10: " A gutting setback. Today was his game to nail down the starting Lions full-back role and was forced off after just 25 minutes. He entered the line nicely to combine with Russell, but didn’t really get a chance to impress. A crushing blow if that’s the end of his tour. It did not look good."

Express 5/10: "Down with knee injury after nine minutes and off after 25 and didn’t look good"

Rugby Pass 4/10: "A disappointing outing for the Scot, who picked up a knock to his leg eight minutes in. Struggled on manfully before being replaced by Marcus Smith at the start of the second quarter. Dropped an early high ball before the injury in what was a night to forget."

BALLS 4/10: "Spilled an early high ball then went offside as the Lions were under early pressure. Was down for treatment before the 10-minute mark. Could have held his pass to Lowe (for the non-try) a beat longer. Lasted 25 minutes before hobbling off. "

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