Farrell called up as Lions lose Daly to injury

OWEN Farrell received a shock British and Irish Lions call-up yesterday after utility back Elliot Daly was ruled out of the Australia tour, with his father, head coach Andy Farrell, citing experience in defending the decision.

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The 33-year-old former England captain, a three-time Lions tourist, earned the last of his 112 Test caps at the 2023 World Cup and has not played any rugby for nearly nine weeks after suffering a concussion.

But the fly-half is a proven international performer, and his father said the call-up was justified.

“When you look at the experience that Elliot’s had — I mean, the experience isn’t just the playing side — it’s how you make the group feel, the little chats that you have around the place to make sure that everything’s gelled together,” he said.

“And obviously Owen would bring a lot of that into the group.”

While Finn Russell is the clear favourite to start the three-Test series against the Wallabies at fly-half, Farrell can also operate in the centre and has a trusty boot for goal-kicking.