Owen Farrell’s exclusion from the initial 38-man British and Irish Lions squad for their summer tour to Australia raised many questions. However, the veteran fly-half has left the door open for a potential call-up by stepping down from his punditry role with Sky Sports. Farrell, who worked as a pundit during the Lions’ opener against Argentina, has now decided to step aside from this role for the remainder of the tour, keeping himself available should a spot become vacant. Despite being left out, Farrell’s long-term experience and proven leadership qualities have left many wondering if he could yet be called upon.
Farrell, 31, has been a key figure for both England and the Lions in the past. He has represented the Lions on three previous tours (2013, 2017, and 2021) and earned six Test caps. His pedigree as a fly-half, coupled with his leadership and experience, has always been seen as a significant asset to the squad. Despite this, Farrell’s recent struggles with injuries and his time spent in France with Racing 92 raised concerns about his fitness and readiness for the summer tour. Farrell made just 17 appearances for the Top 14 side during his time in France, and his role as England’s fly-half was taken over by Marcus Smith, with George Ford and Fin Smith also in contention. Farrell’s absence from the squad was seen as a result of these concerns.
Despite the initial exclusion, Farrell’s former teammate, Danny Care, has expressed optimism that Farrell could still make a return to the squad this summer. Speaking to the Mail Online, Care shared his “funny feeling” that Farrell could yet find his way back into the Lions fold. Care commented, “It’s quite a young and youthful Lions squad, especially in that backline. There aren’t many lads, barring Finn Russell and a couple of others, who have played for the Lions before and experienced it.” Care continued, “I know Owen is the ultimate competitor, and it’s brilliant to have him back in the Premiership. I just have a funny feeling that we might see him in a red shirt at some point this summer.”
Farrell’s father and Lions head coach, Andy Farrell, had previously made the decision not to include his son in the initial squad, but has not ruled out a potential call-up should the need arise. The Lions’ head coach confirmed that there were still open spots on the squad and that players like Owen, with his vast experience, would be considered if required. “There’s 38 picked, which leaves a couple of slots open for us during the track if and when needed, and Owen, like a few other guys as well, would be in that type of bracket,” said Andy Farrell.
While the exclusion initially left many surprised, it was made clear that Farrell’s fitness was still a concern for the Lions’ management. “He was in the conversation, obviously, an experienced player like that who is going for his fourth tour. But we got to a point where, like a few other players as well, we feel that Owen’s still trying to find his way a little bit back to fitness,” Andy Farrell added.
Despite his absence, Farrell’s presence in the Premiership with Saracens has brought his name back into contention for a place in the Lions squad. His recent performances for Saracens have shown that he is getting back into shape, and his leadership is something that could be invaluable should an injury or other situation create an opening. Farrell’s competitive spirit has never been in doubt, and his drive to make a return to the international scene is evident.
The Lions’ tour to Australia is underway, with the first Test scheduled for July 19. The squad, despite Farrell’s absence, is full of exciting talent, but a player like Farrell would bring vital experience to the team, especially in tight situations. The Lions are set to face a challenging Australian team, and the coaching staff will be keeping a close eye on how the match unfolds. Should the need for additional leadership or experience arise, Farrell could still be called upon to fill that role.
Farrell’s potential return to the Lions squad is still very much on the table. As the tour progresses and the need for experienced players becomes more pressing, Farrell may well be recalled. The situation remains fluid, and Farrell’s commitment to improving his fitness and being available for selection gives him a real chance of making an impact on the Lions’ summer tour.
Owen Farrell’s journey with the Lions might not be over yet. As the squad continues to battle through their tour, the hope remains that Farrell could step in and bring his wealth of experience and leadership to a team that could greatly benefit from his expertise. Whether or not he returns to the fold remains to be seen, but one thing is sure: Farrell’s competitive nature will keep him ready for any opportunity that may come his way.
