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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Robert Kitson in Sydney

Owen Farrell backed to ‘inject experience’ into Lions squad after replacing injured Daly

Owen Farrell during Lions punditry duties last month
Owen Farrell, who has rejoined Saracens after a year playing in Paris, has not played top-flight international rugby since the 2023 World Cup. Photograph: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters

Andy Farrell says the arrival of his son Owen will “inject a bit of life and experience” into the British & Irish Lions squad in Australia and is backing him to sharpen the team’s competitive edge. Farrell also said he had had no hesitation in picking the former England captain despite the fact he has not played Test rugby for 20 months and struggled for form and fitness this year.

Farrell Jr is due to fly in to join the squad on Friday as a replacement for the luckless Elliot Daly who broke a forearm in the 52-12 win against the Queensland Reds. It is a big call for a number of reasons but Farrell Sr insists it is the right one for the squad as they build towards their best-of-three Test series against the Wallabies kicking off in just over a fortnight.

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