Owen Farrell ruled out again – Lions call-up turning into a nightmare
Rugby NewsSunday, 06 July 2025 at 12:46
It’s gone from bad to worse for Owen Farrell, with the veteran playmaker
possibly ruled out of the Lions’ next two matches as he continues to recover from a concussion suffered back in May.
Farrell, who copped a heavy knock during Racing 92’s Challenge Cup semi-final loss to Lyon on May 4, still hasn’t cleared the return-to-play protocols according to reports – and may not be available for another week at least.
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That means he could miss both upcoming tour clashes: against the Brumbies and the ANZ Invitational XV. A bizarre turn of events.
It gets worse. Farrell’s stint in France was already plagued by a groin issue that limited him to just 17 appearances for Racing before his return to Saracens – the club he called home for 16 seasons before his surprise Top 14 switch.
His father and Lions boss Andy Farrell had already hinted Owen would likely sit out the Brumbies game due to jet lag.
But if he also misses next Saturday’s fixture, Farrell will have logged zero minutes of game time before the first Test against Australia.
Not exactly the dream comeback he – or the Lions – were hoping for.
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“Test dreams in tatters” – 5 Lions flops who’ve fallen flat on tour
Four matches in, and the Lions tour is already separating the contenders from the pretenders. While some players are pushing hard for a place in the Test XV, others have gone missing when it mattered most.
Whether it’s rust, nerves, or just being outplayed, these five Lions have done themselves no favours – and could be heading home with regret.
Fin Smith – Under pressure, underwhelming
All eyes were on Fin Smith to make a statement with Owen Farrell still looming over the fly-half conversation. But instead of stepping up, he produced a performance that did little to settle nerves.
Smith failed to make a major impression in the tour opener against Argentina, looking tentative and overly conservative in key moments.
Things didn’t improve much in his second outing against the Waratahs, where he tried to force the issue in the second half—only for the mistakes to pile up and the game to slip further away from him.
? Test chances: Fading fast. He’s no longer a clear bench option, and others are circling.
Hugo Keenan – Off the boil
After being made to wait for his chance, Keenan finally got his shot against the Waratahs—and it couldn’t have gone much worse.
He opened with a dropped ball under little pressure and followed it with a missed tackle that directly led to a try. Normally so composed and reliable, Keenan looked rattled from the off and never quite found his rhythm or influence on the game.
? Test chances: This was a golden opportunity to nail down a claim. He let it slip through his fingers—literally.
Pierre Schoeman – Scrummaged into trouble
The Lions scrum was meant to be a weapon—but against the Force, it was anything but. Schoeman struggled to hold his ground and was part of a front row that got manhandled far too often.
With Ellis Genge putting in a dominant shift last week, Schoeman’s underwhelming showing couldn’t have come at a worse time. The raw power and aggression he’s known for were notably absent.
? Test chances: He’s still in the mix, but firmly behind the frontrunners now.
Tom Curry – A shadow of his best
This tour was supposed to be Curry’s return to dominance, but so far he’s looked anything but. Against Argentina in the opener and again versus the Reds, Curry seemed a step behind play.
His trademark defensive tenacity was muted, and while he rallied late on with a few solid tackles, the damage was already done. His lack of synergy with the back row around him was noticeable—and concerning.
? Test chances: Still respected, but form has to match reputation. Right now, it doesn’t.
Duhan van der Merwe – Rusty and out of rhythm
The big winger has been one of the Lions’ most electric weapons in recent years, but injuries have clearly disrupted his build-up.
He’s looked off the pace, lacking sharpness both with ball in hand and in defensive positioning. Meanwhile, James Lowe has seized every chance to impress. Duhan’s physicality remains a threat, but his edge seems dulled for now.
? Test chances: Slipping away quickly. Needs a statement game—and soon.
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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