OWEN FARRELL will join up with the Lions in Australia today after a sensational SOS from tour boss and dad Andy.
The former England captain, 33, replaces Elliot Daly, who broke his arm in Wednesday’s 52-12 win over the Reds in Brisbane.
Owen Farrell is making a surprise return to the British and Irish Lions squad[/caption]
Coach Andy Farrell is confident his son will have a part to play[/caption]
Farrell Jr, who is making his fourth Lions tour, is not a straight swap for full-back/wing Elliot Daly but will compete for the No 10 and 12 shirts.
However, Faz has not played for England since the 2023 World Cup and has just signed for old club Saracens again after a disastrous season in France with Racing 92.
And he has also not seen any action for two months because of concussion.
Farrell Sr defended his son’s shock call-up and insists he is in contention for a Test spot.
He said: “If he didn’t have a chance then what is the point?
“Everybody should be competing and that is what everyone in the group would want.
“Along with that, the experience he brings, the support that you need for the group and how you make the room feel.
“He’s the right man at this moment in time. We know how much he looks after himself and prides himself on keeping in good nick.
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“At this stage there are plenty of players who haven’t played for quite some time and experience — knowing what you can do — helps in that.
“It’s what we do in the here and now that counts, isn’t it?
“He flies in and gets here late on Friday night. I’m sure he’ll be dying to get at it.”
Faz, who has 112 England caps, joins Brian O’Driscoll and Alun Wyn Jones among modern greats to go on four Lions tours.
He is highly respected for his leadership and winning mentality.
And his dad added: “The person’s still the person, the character’s still the character and the player inside is still the player inside if he is fit and well and ready to fire.
“We see all the hunger that has always been there. We see him adding to the group and injecting a bit of life and experience.
“There are other coaches in that conversation, it’s not just on me.
“I make the final call and I’m happy to do that but these conversations have been going on in the background about all sorts of players and that’s the call that we came to.”
Daly, 32, said an emotional goodbye to the squad last night as they prepare for tomorrow’s clash with the Waratahs here.
Head coach Farrell said: “It is heartbreaking for the group that Elliot’s tour is over. He is a Lions legend.”
There are 14 changes to the starting line-up with Irish lock Tadhg Beirne leading the side as skipper Maro Itoje is rested.
Scot Blair Kinghorn is set for his first start on the wing while Ireland’s Hugo Keenan, who was ill and replaced by Daly, makes his Lions debut at full-back.
