Andy Farrell Sweats Over Two Key Lions – Could These Names Step In?
Rugby NewsMonday, 23 June 2025 at 06:50
The Lions have officially arrived in Australia, stepping off the plane in Perth on Sunday with sunscreen in their kit bags and unfinished business on their minds.
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But while the squad touched down in full, not everyone is guaranteed to be firing when they face Western Force this Saturday. Two key players are walking the tightrope between "match-fit" and "medical watch," and Andy Farrell isn’t exactly handing out guarantees.
Coming off a bruising 28–24 loss to Argentina on Friday, the Lions boss hinted that his opening XV will be built from a Leinster-Premiership core—assuming all goes to plan.
“All being well we can assume that,” said Farrell. “But we’ll see what happens. We know what a week of rugby training is like.”
Three Flights, Zero Additions, Two Fitness Doubts ✈️✈️✈️
Despite arriving in Australia via three different flights, the travelling party hasn’t grown. There were no last-minute SOS calls or airport dash-ins. Yet behind the scenes, two unnamed players are under close watch.
Farrell insists the squad is covered and, for now, no reinforcements are needed. But he’s left just enough wiggle room to keep fans refreshing their news feeds.
“They’re fine at this moment in time. They wouldn’t be here unless they could... everyone’s got to be ready to cover, barring one or two obviously.”
#1. Jamison Gibson-Park – Glute Watch Continues ?⚠️
The Leinster scrum-half missed their URC final win with a glute strain—yes, his backside is the talk of the tour.
? Possible Plug-ins:
- Jack van Poortvliet (England) – Already sniffing around the squad after a Dublin call-up. If JGP goes down, JvP may well be next man up.
- Ben White (Toulon) – Missed the initial cut due to Top 14 duties but now free and surprisingly sprightly. Don’t rule him out.
#2. Hugo Keenan – Calf Conundrum ??
The ever-reliable fullback is nursing a calf tweak—not ideal on the unforgiving Aussie turf.
? Possible Plug-ins:
- Tom Jordan (Scotland) – A bit of a wildcard but brings versatility and an attacking edge.
- Blair Murray (Wales) – Slippery and smart, and with Keenan sidelined, this could be his chance to shine on the big stage.
The Bottom Line: ?
It’s not all doom and dodgy calves—there’s some good news too. Scotland centre Huw Jones has shaken off his Achilles niggle and is locked, loaded, and ready to roll for the Lions’ curtain-raiser at Optus Stadium.
And breathe.
As for that worrying snap of with his foot on ice during Friday’s 28–24 stutter against Argentina? Chill. Literally. Farrell confirmed there are pile.
no fresh injury concerns coming out of the Aviva. A bit of standard post-match bruising, nothing more.
So, one backline boost... while two others remain in the maybe
As it stands, there’s no panic. No emergency calls. No frantic boot-fittings in the Perth hotel lobby. But let’s be honest—these tours can turn on a dime. One awkward step in training and it’s “next cab off the rank” time.
For now, Keenan and Gibson-Park stay in the mix—battered, bruised, but still boarding the bus.
10 Changes Farrell Must Make against Western Force
1. Dan Sheehan in for Luke Cowan-Dickie
Cowan-Dickie brought energy but faltered at the lineout. Sheehan’s throwing is sharper, and he adds mobility and form from Leinster.
Cowan-Dickie brought energy but faltered at the lineout. Sheehan’s throwing is sharper, and he adds mobility and form from Leinster.
2. Will Stuart in for Finlay Bealham
Bealham was solid, but Stuart offers more raw power and set-piece dominance — key against the Force pack.
Bealham was solid, but Stuart offers more raw power and set-piece dominance — key against the Force pack.
3. Ollie Chessum in for Tadhg Beirne
Beirne impressed with his running lines, but Chessum brings more physicality and aerial prowess — crucial for disrupting the Force’s lineout.
Beirne impressed with his running lines, but Chessum brings more physicality and aerial prowess — crucial for disrupting the Force’s lineout.
4. Josh van der Flier in for Tom Curry
Despite Curry's work-rate, Van der Flier’s breakdown work and consistency make him a better fit as Farrell looks to steady the back row.
Despite Curry's work-rate, Van der Flier’s breakdown work and consistency make him a better fit as Farrell looks to steady the back row.
5. Jack Conan in for Ben Earl
Earl was one of the better performers, but Conan’s control at No.8 and ability to carry in tight channels earns him the nod.
Earl was one of the better performers, but Conan’s control at No.8 and ability to carry in tight channels earns him the nod.
6. Jamison Gibson-Park in for Alex Mitchell
Mitchell looked rushed and ineffective after halftime. Gibson-Park’s speed and composure offer a much-needed upgrade at scrum-half.
Mitchell looked rushed and ineffective after halftime. Gibson-Park’s speed and composure offer a much-needed upgrade at scrum-half.
7. Finn Russell in for Fin Smith
Fin Smith struggled to impose himself. Enter Russell — the magician Farrell needs to inject some vision, control, and attacking flair.
Fin Smith struggled to impose himself. Enter Russell — the magician Farrell needs to inject some vision, control, and attacking flair.
8. Huw Jones in for Bundee Aki
Aki’s power was evident but faded. Jones brings better distribution and defensive organisation at outside centre, linking nicely with Tuipulotu.
Aki’s power was evident but faded. Jones brings better distribution and defensive organisation at outside centre, linking nicely with Tuipulotu.
9. James Lowe in for Duhan van der Merwe
Van der Merwe had a patchy outing, and Lowe’s left boot and creativity could unlock the Force’s defence from deep.
Van der Merwe had a patchy outing, and Lowe’s left boot and creativity could unlock the Force’s defence from deep.
10. Hugo Keenan in for Marcus Smith
Smith’s shaky positioning and lack of control under the high ball cost the Lions. Keenan is calm, composed and positionally solid — exactly what the back three needs.
Smith’s shaky positioning and lack of control under the high ball cost the Lions. Keenan is calm, composed and positionally solid — exactly what the back three needs.
Farrell's Updated XV to Face Western Force
15. Hugo Keenan
14. James Lowe
13. Huw Jones
12. Sione Tuipulotu
11. Tommy Freeman
10. Finn Russell
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
8. Jack Conan
7. Jac Morgan
6. Josh van der Flier
5. Ollie Chessum
4. Maro Itoje
3. Will Stuart
2. Dan Sheehan
1. Ellis Genge
14. James Lowe
13. Huw Jones
12. Sione Tuipulotu
11. Tommy Freeman
10. Finn Russell
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
8. Jack Conan
7. Jac Morgan
6. Josh van der Flier
5. Ollie Chessum
4. Maro Itoje
3. Will Stuart
2. Dan Sheehan
1. Ellis Genge
EDITORS PICKS:
- Owen Farrell’s Lions Punditry Debut Sparks Big Reaction
- Sir Ian McGeechan Issues Health Update After Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
- First-Ever Grandson of a Lion Becomes a Lion against Argentina tonight
- Henry Pollock leaves coaches stunned with freakish gym stats
- Louis Rees-Zammit Unveils Dramatic Body Transformation
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