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Owen Farrell hadn’t recovered from the impact of a long-haul trek to Australia in time to be part of the Lions squad to face the Brumbies here, but his chance will come on Saturday – and perhaps seven days later.
It appears that an opportunity could present itself for the former England captain to emerge as a late ‘bolter’ – albeit an experienced one – for a place in the match-day squad for the first Test against Australia in Brisbane on July 19.
He is expected to feature against a potentially dangerous Australia-New Zealand Invitational XV in Adelaide at the weekend, in the last selection audition before the series opener.
A bench role against the Wallabies can’t be discounted, given the way Fin Smith struggled to direct the tourists effectively in the shaky 21-10 win over the Waratahs in Sydney.
Marcus Smith will wear the 22 shirt on Wednesday in the clash with the Brumbies, but he is seen as a utility option who can cover full-back, and Ireland wing Mack Hansen is also among the replacements for the next tour match.
The presence of two back-three options among the support cast is highly unlikely to be repeated in the Tests, as it doesn’t maximise back-line permutations.
Owen Farrell could make the squad for the first Test against Australia in Brisbane on July 19
There is no obvious, specialist fall-back plan to cover inside centre here, which Owen Farrell can do. Already, there is a growing expectation that the veteran will be considered ahead of the younger playmaker who he operated alongside in the England back line, in the latter part of Eddie Jones’s tenure.
Farrell jnr arrived Down Under last Friday night, after being hurriedly summoned as a replacement for his Saracens team-mate Elliot Daly. The late-comer’s father and Lions head coach Andy Farrell made it plain that his son had every chance to push for Test selection.
He was booed when he appeared on the big screen during the game against the Waratahs, but it was more panto routine than real vitriol. As the British and Irish side toiled in vain for fluency and attacking purpose, it was a fine time to be a returning veteran No 10. Both Smiths had trouble trying to run the show as the Test centurion watched on from the stand.
His integration will be fast-tracked. Asked if Owen had come through his return-to-play protocols – after a concussion – and jet-lag, Andy Farrell said: ‘I wouldn’t say jet-lag just yet. I think he was up all night. But the rest is fine.’ Pressed on whether the four-tour Lion was in contention for Saturday’s game, the reply was: ‘Yes.’
The sense that a selection path is rapidly opening up was heightened by the lack of clarity over the contingency on Wednesday, in the event of Bundee Aki – who is at 12 – going off injured.
‘We have got players who have trained there and understand the different roles,’ said Andy Farrell. ‘There are all sorts of permutations we have prepared for.’ The fall-back plan wasn’t readily apparent.
There are still plenty of permutations in several areas, with the head coach insisting he is remaining ‘open-minded’ about series selection, despite the Irish-heavy line-up for the Brumbies game being interpreted as a Test XV in all but name. ‘A closed book is not good for anyone,’ said Farrell snr.
Farrell is expected to feature against a Australia-New Zealand Invitational XV at the weekend
Among those hoping to ram home their case to start against the Wallabies is England flanker Tom Curry – back at openside and acclaimed as a ‘machine’ by the man in charge.
He will form a back-row alliance with Leicester’s Ollie Chessum, the Leicester flanker redeployed at blindside and identified as a prime Test contender by Andy Farrell. ‘He’s been very impressive,’ he said. ‘He’s got a chance.’
