"He's in the conversation" - Andy Farrell explains why he left Owen Farrell out of the Lions squad

Andy Farrell selected the trio of Finn Russell, Fin Smith and Marcus Smith to be his designated fly halves, however the best laid plans can often go array between now and the opening match on June 20th. Fin Smith and Finn Russell are both in pursuit of silverware, with an assortment of high stakes matches in line before either man will pull on the famous red jersey.

Fin Smith is out to lead Northampton Saints to their first Champions Cup since 2011, whilst Finn Russell has his sights set on bringing the Premiership title and and Challenge Cup trophy back to Bath. The Lions head coach explained how Owen Farrell is undergoing his own recovery, after the Racing 92 man suffered a head injury in the Challenge Cup semi-final defeat to Lyon. The former England captain is on the mend to be ready for a late call-up to Australia, just in case his duties are required upon a fourth Lions tour.

"He's in the conversation, obviously. An experienced player like that, probably going for his fourth tour. You cover all bases, that's assured, that the leadership qualities and all of that. But we got to a point where, like a few other players as well, I feel like Owen is still trying to find his way back to fitness. Like others, there's 38 picked, which leaves a couple of slots open for us during the track, if and when needed. Owen like a few other guys as well, would be in that type of bracket."

"I think if you look at Finn and Finn two genuine out-and-out fly halves, they play a fantastic brand of rugby. Marcus, whether it be 10, 15, or 15, 10, (fly half or fullback) that type of blend is pretty important. Just going for three outs right fly halves, is a different type of balance, and we need to cover all bases in that regard."

The post squad announcement media conference then shifted to the first player that was confirmed for the Lions squad this Summer. It was 'leaked' earlier this week that Maro Itoje will captain the Lions in Australia, with the appointed skipper officially confirmed at the 02 Arena in front of the capacity crowd.

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Itoje spoke to the 'sea of red' that had washed up on North Greenwich, and shared the story of how he was first told the news. From recieving an call from an unknown Irish number, to have a faulty signal and a thick Wigan accent, the Lions' skipper's re-telling of the proceedings had it all.

"It means an awful lot. It's tremendous honor. It's something that has been very humbling." Itoje said. "It's been a bit of a surreal experience, to be honest. I found out in around 3:00pm or 4:00pm on Tuesday afternoon, when I got this mysterious Irish number calling me. When I picked up, it was a Wigan accent that I was hearing, and after a little bit of misunderstanding..."

Andy Farrell then interjected; "Not because of the accent, by the way, it was breaking up!". The Lions captain then continued "It's just been incredible, and I'm just very excited to get there."

Whilst it was smiles and adulations all round for Itoje, as the Saracens and England captain has added the honour of Lions leader to his resume, a thought was spared for Ireland star Caelan Doris. The Leinster back row suffered a shoulder injury that has written him out of the entire Lions tour, as the number eight was previously in contention to captain the side.

"I have (spoken with Doris). And as you can imagine he's devastated. He would have definitely been in the mix, such an experienced player and leader. It's devastating for people like that. But the stories are constant in every single tour and sport can be cruel sometimes. But Caelan will be back bigger and stronger."

Whilst Doris will not be on the tour, 12 of his Leinster teammates have been called up to Andy Farrell's touring side. Then add in the likes of Munster's Tadhg Beirne and Connacht duo Bundee Aki and Mack Hansen, and Ireland contribute a staggering 15 players to the 38-man squad. This sits as the biggest contribution from any one of the four Home Nations, with England adding 12, Scotland including eight and just two representatives joining the side from Wales.

It has been an unquestionably difficult period for Wales, having gone 17 matches without an official Test victory since the 2023 Rugby World Cup win over Georgia. Wales are enduring their worst ever run of form in their 144 year history, yet individual brilliance from the captain Jac Morgan and scrum half Tomos Williams has been recognised by the Lions head coach. Farrell expressed how he felt 'no pressure' to include any Wales players, with Morgan and Williams' inclusion on as much merit as any other player.

"I didn't feel any pressure at all. I think I spoke about this a few weeks ago in terms of selection, not just players but staff as well. After we selected the squad, Ieuan (Evans) and Ben (Calveley) came in, because everyone needed to know the answers for today.

"They were counting the numbers of the different countries. We honestly hadn't done that. It's not in our interest to do that. Everyone's an individual. It doesn't matter where you come from. The numbers are the numbers but the individuals deserve it."

"They're (Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams) obviously like the other 38. They've shone through in the talent that they've got and performed to the level that we think can perform when it really matters, under the pressure of a British and Irish Lions tour."

Sounding off the immediate fallout from the British & Irish Lions squad announcement, Farrell turned his attention towards his incoming Summer destination. The Lions are out to win back-to-back Test series against the Wallabies, to follow up on the famous 2013 triumph and 2-1 series win. Farrell explained how Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt has built Australia into fighting shape, with a lot of improvement throughout the men in gold since their 2023 Rugby World Cup pool stage elimination under Eddie Jones.

"As far as Australia is concerned, I think everyone can see with the Autumn series, the improvement, and then the flow of Super Rugby, the club sides over there. How they have progressed and are challenging for spot because the Lions is on the horizon. I'm sure, that it just shapes up for what we all knew in the first place, that is going to be a hell of a tour. 2013 was exactly the same, I think, with all the hype and all the tickets sold and the sheer size of what's going to happen when we get there, this is going to be a tour that's like no other."