Owen Farrell will start at inside centre for Racing 92 in Sunday’s EPCR Challenge Cup semi-final showdown against Lyon — his first appearance this season in the No.12 jersey.
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From fly-half to midfield maestro
The former England skipper has racked up 17 appearances this season for the Parisians across the Top 14 and Challenge Cup — every single one at fly-half. That’s the role he was brought in to play, after all. But this move is far from a gamble.
Farrell may have built his club reputation as a general at 10, but anyone who’s followed his international career knows he’s no stranger to the midfield. This is calculated, not chaotic.
Patrice Collazo reveals the plan
Head coach Patrice Collazo opened up on the decision to shift Farrell to 12, pointing to the long-term recovery plan following the England star’s surgery earlier this season.
“Bringing him into the centre was also to relieve him, especially from the kicking game that strains his adductors,” explained Collazo. “As he’s still recovering, we didn’t want to play him for 70 minutes or even 80, as was done when he returned, only for him to drop back in.
“So we’re going to work with him to build his return. We need him, the club needs him, the team needs him. It’s not out of the question that we’ll see him back at number 12, just as he could come in at number 10. For Owen, 10 or 12, there’s no problem.”
The Racing 92 XV to face Lyon
Starting XV:
- Eddy Ben Arous
- Diego Escobar
- Lee-Marvin Mazibuko
- Boris Palu
- Will Rowlands
- Maxime Baudonne
- Junior Kpoku
- Cameron Woki
- Nolann Le Garrec
- Dan Lancaster
- Donovan Taofifenua
- Owen Farrell
- Gaël Fickou
- Max Spring
- Tristan Tedder
Replacements:
16. Janick Tarrit
17. Guram Gogichashvili
18. Thomas Laclayat
19. Jordan Joseph
20. Kléo Labarbe
21. Antoine Gibert
22. Josua Tuisova
23. Romain Taofifenua
16. Janick Tarrit
17. Guram Gogichashvili
18. Thomas Laclayat
19. Jordan Joseph
20. Kléo Labarbe
21. Antoine Gibert
22. Josua Tuisova
23. Romain Taofifenua
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Jim Telfer names 12 England stars in Lions squad – Marcus Smith misses out
The former Lions coach, who famously delivered the spine-tingling ‘Everest’ speech on the 1997 tour, opted for three players per position in a balanced selection for Scottish Rugby News.
And while some inclusions were expected, Telfer hasn’t been afraid to raise eyebrows, especially with some bold calls in the backline.
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Genge leads the English charge up front
Ellis Genge is a nailed-on pick at loosehead, joining Ireland’s Andrew Porter and Scotland’s Rory Sutherland.
Despite fitness concerns, Luke Cowan-Dickie is also included at hooker. There’s no England tighthead in the squad — a rare omission.
In the second row, Maro Itoje and Ollie Chessum are both in, underlining their continued importance at international level.
Back-row packed with English muscle
Telfer has gone heavy on Englishmen in the back-row — naming Ben Earl and Tom Curry at blindside, with Ben Curry making the cut at openside alongside Josh van der Flier and Jac Morgan.
There’s no room for Zach Mercer, Sam Underhill, or Alex Dombrandt, despite all being part of the England conversation at various points.
Surprise call-ups out wide
Perhaps the biggest surprise is the selection of Tommy Freeman and Tom Roebuck on the wing, with both making huge impressions in the Premiership this season.
They’re joined by Fin Smith at fly-half and George Furbank, who has quietly impressed, as one of three full-back options.
Alex Mitchell is the sole English scrum-half picked, with no room for Danny Care or Harry Randall.
No Farrell, Marcus, or Steward
Shockingly, there’s no Owen Farrell, Marcus Smith, or Freddie Steward — three players who’ve carried the England backline for much of the last few years.
“Any selections should be based on the quality of the player,” Telfer told Scotland Rugby News.
“Not the name on the jersey. Some will disagree – but this squad can win in Australia.”
Full: Jim Telfer’s 45-man British & Irish Lions squad
Props
Loosehead: Ellis Genge (ENG), Andrew Porter (IRE), Rory Sutherland (SCO)
Tighthead: Tadhg Furlong (IRE), Finlay Bealham (IRE), Zander Fagerson (SCO)
Loosehead: Ellis Genge (ENG), Andrew Porter (IRE), Rory Sutherland (SCO)
Tighthead: Tadhg Furlong (IRE), Finlay Bealham (IRE), Zander Fagerson (SCO)
Hookers
Luke Cowan-Dickie (ENG), Dan Sheehan (IRE), Dewi Lake (WAL)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (ENG), Dan Sheehan (IRE), Dewi Lake (WAL)
Locks
Maro Itoje (ENG), Ollie Chessum (ENG), Joe McCarthy (IRE), Tadhg Beirne (IRE), Dafydd Jenkins (WAL), Scott Cummings (SCO)
Maro Itoje (ENG), Ollie Chessum (ENG), Joe McCarthy (IRE), Tadhg Beirne (IRE), Dafydd Jenkins (WAL), Scott Cummings (SCO)
Back Row
Blindside: Tom Curry (ENG), Ben Earl (ENG), Jamie Ritchie (SCO)
Openside: Josh van der Flier (IRE), Ben Curry (ENG), Jac Morgan (WAL)
Number 8: Caelan Doris (IRE), Jack Conan (IRE), Taulupe Faletau (WAL)
Blindside: Tom Curry (ENG), Ben Earl (ENG), Jamie Ritchie (SCO)
Openside: Josh van der Flier (IRE), Ben Curry (ENG), Jac Morgan (WAL)
Number 8: Caelan Doris (IRE), Jack Conan (IRE), Taulupe Faletau (WAL)
Scrum-halves
Jamison Gibson-Park (IRE), Alex Mitchell (ENG), Tomos Williams (WAL)
Jamison Gibson-Park (IRE), Alex Mitchell (ENG), Tomos Williams (WAL)
Fly-halves
Finn Russell (SCO), Fin Smith (ENG), Sam Prendergast (IRE)
Finn Russell (SCO), Fin Smith (ENG), Sam Prendergast (IRE)
Centres
Inside Centre: Bundee Aki (IRE), Sione Tuipulotu (SCO), Ben Thomas (WAL)
Outside Centre: Garry Ringrose (IRE), Huw Jones (SCO), Robbie Henshaw (IRE)
Inside Centre: Bundee Aki (IRE), Sione Tuipulotu (SCO), Ben Thomas (WAL)
Outside Centre: Garry Ringrose (IRE), Huw Jones (SCO), Robbie Henshaw (IRE)
Wingers
Right Wing: Tommy Freeman (ENG), Darcy Graham (SCO), Tom Roebuck (ENG)
Left Wing: James Lowe (IRE), Duhan van der Merwe (SCO), Kyle Steyn (SCO)
Right Wing: Tommy Freeman (ENG), Darcy Graham (SCO), Tom Roebuck (ENG)
Left Wing: James Lowe (IRE), Duhan van der Merwe (SCO), Kyle Steyn (SCO)
Full-backs
Hugo Keenan (IRE), Blair Kinghorn (SCO), George Furbank (ENG)
Hugo Keenan (IRE), Blair Kinghorn (SCO), George Furbank (ENG)
QUIZ: Can you name the 2013 British & Irish Lions squad?
12 years have passed since Warren Gatland’s men roared to a famous series win over Australia, but how well do you really remember the iconic 2013 British & Irish Lions squad?
From legendary leaders to surprise selections, we’ve lined up every player from that unforgettable tour. All you have to do is name them. No pressure, right?
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Take the quiz below and prove your rugby brain still bites.
? Scroll down and get cracking – how many can you get without cheating?
