Owen Farrell is expected to be omitted from the British & Irish Lions’ squad for the opening Test against Australia at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday, July 19, according to coach Andy Farrell, despite a strong showing in tour matches. Instead, Marcus Smith is likely to be selected as versatile cover at fly-half and full-back.
Squad Decision & Back-Family Dynamics
Farrell came off the bench for 30 minutes in the recent warm-up win over the AU & NZ Invitational XV, contributing significantly to three tries. However, Andy Farrell appears ready to favor Marcus Smith, who offers flexibility across fly-half and full-back positions and has already taken kicking duties during that match.
According to The Times, this choice is part of a shift toward a more physically dominant gameplan, with a backline designed to emphasize power—seen in selections like Tom Curry, Tadhg Beirne, and Jack Conan—over versatility in positions where Farrell would have offered depth.
Strategic Considerations
- Marcus Smith provides dual-position cover and kicking capability, which is especially valuable given concerns over injuries to Blair Kinghorn and Mack Hansen.
- Andy Farrell is leaning into a “power-packed” lineup, prioritizing physicality in the midfield and back row, a strategy that leaves less room for Owen’s utility role.
What It Means
Owen Farrell’s omission highlights a strategic shift—a preference for adaptability and pure power over the barnstorming, multi-positional profile that Owen offers. While he remains in the squad and could be called up later, it’s likely he’ll have to wait for his first Lions Test cap of this tour.
