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‘Cried like a baby didn’t ya?’ – Watch Andy Farrell embarrass Ireland star over reaction to Lions call-up


FINLAY Bealham may not thank him for it, but Andy Farrell revealed he “cried like a baby” upon being called up to the Lions squad.

The Connacht prop was a late replacement after Scot Zander Fagerson sustained a calf injury while lining out for Glasgow Warriors.

Man in dark polo shirt congratulating Finlay.
@IRISHRUGBY

Bealham might not thank the Irish rugby social team either[/caption]

Rugby players in red jerseys sitting in a room.
@IRISHRUGBY

He was the butt of the joke as his Lions teammates laughed at his expense[/caption]

16 June 2025; Finlay Bealham during the British & Irish Lions rugby squad training at the UCD Bowl in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Bealham is an Australian native like fellow tourist Mack Hansen
18 June 2025; British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell during a British & Irish Lions media conference at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Farrell went on sabbatical from his role with Ireland in November

Now, in an access all areas clip, fans have got to see Farrell congratulate Bealham in front of the whole squad – while simultaneously teasing him for getting so emotional.

In it the Wigan native says: “A huge congratulations to Finlay on being added to the squad full-time.”

He then somewhat unnecessarily adds: “Honestly, he’s cried like a baby too (upon hearing).”

The Ireland head coach then prods the 33-year-old by putting it to him: “Didn’t ya?!”

After a pause Bealham sheepishly replies “…yeah” which prompts laughter all around the room.

Farrell’s charges begin their 10-game slate against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow before heading Down Under. Yesterday saw him name his starting XV for the 8pm kick-off.

The headline item from it was that Tadhg Furlong looks set to be handed a chance to prove his fitness, albeit off the bench.

The prop has not played since Leinster’s Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton because of a calf injury.

He is joined in the replacements by Rónan Kelleher, the only other Leinster player involved because they were involved in the URC final win over Bulls at the weekend, in which the hooker came off the bench.

There are still three Irish players in the starting XV with 2021 tourists Bundee Aki of Connacht and Munster’s Tadhg Beirne included, along with Bealham.


Aki and Bealham’s provincial teammate Mack Hansen is also included among the replacements.

Farrell has not included any Bath representatives with the side involved in the Premiership final against Leicester Tigers on Saturday.

Lions captain Maro Itoje will skipper the side for the first time and Farrell said: “It is a truly special moment and one that very few players ever get to experience.

“Maro has led the group well during our time in Portugal and then Dublin this week. This is also our first opportunity to show what the 2025 Lions are about and what we want to stand for as a team.

“We know that Argentina will challenge us up front and out wide – so Friday night will be a tough contest, but also a great occasion for all the fans.”

After their first outing on Irish soil, the Lions will travel to Australia ahead of the three-Test series against the Wallabies.

Lions: M Smith (England), Freeman (England), Tuipulotu (Scotland), Aki (Ireland), van der Merwe (Scotland), F Smith (England), Mitchell (England), Genge (England), Cowan-Dickie (England), Bealham (Ireland), Itoje (England), Beirne (Ireland), Curry (England), Morgan (Wales), Earl (England).

Replacements: Kelleher (Ireland), Schoeman (Scotland), Furlong (Ireland), Cummings (Scotland), Pollock (England), Williams (Wales), Daly (England), Hansen (Ireland).

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