"Embarrassing" - Everyone is saying the same thing about Andy Farrell's latest Lions call-up

Friday, 11 July 2025 at 09:46

byRugby Rucker

Jamie Osborne will join the British and Irish Lions squad as backup to Scotland full-back Blair Kinghorn, despite Kinghorn receiving "positive news" from a knee scan.

Kinghorn injured his knee during Wednesday’s win over the ACT Brumbies, putting additional pressure on the Lions’ full-back options, especially with Hugo Keenan’s game time limited due to illness and injury.

Osborne, labeled as “training cover” for Kinghorn, will travel to the Lions camp on Saturday from Portugal, where he has been training with Ireland.

Kinghorn is also recently returned from a different knee injury he suffered playing for Toulouse.

The Lions medical team said they will “manage his return to training over the coming days.”

Lions Fans Sound Off: Freddie Steward’s Omission Raises Eyebrows

Fans, however, are united in their confusion over Freddie Steward’s exclusion from the squad.

One supporter commented: “Jesus this is getting pathetic now… what on earth has Freddie steward done to upset this shower. Argentinas closer than Portugal .. So one eyed its becoming embarrassing”

Another added: “We’ve been struggling under the high ball so Freddie steward would have been a no brainer IMO.”

Another said: “We’ve been struggling under the high ball so Freddie steward would have been a no brainer IMO.”

Another said: “Feel sorry for Freddie steward”

Another wrote: “This squad is crying out for Freddie Steward, been awful under the high ball so far in aus. Get him on that plane, specialist 15”

Four British & Irish Lions selections Andy Farrell got wrong

Andy Farrell's Lions squad was always going to ruffle feathers — and it hasn’t disappointed. While there’s plenty of talent in the touring party, some of the omissions have left fans and pundits alike scratching their heads.

From in-form veterans to world-class game-breakers, a handful of players have every right to feel hard done by. Selection is never easy, but Farrell's calls in these four cases feel more like missteps than masterstrokes.

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Here are four British & Irish Lions selections Farrell got badly wrong…

1. Courtney Lawes – The French Renaissance Ignored

One word: class. Lawes has been rolling back the years at Brive, bossing it in France with the same bruising physicality and smart leadership that made him a Lions mainstay.

Yes, he's 36. Yes, he's stepped away from England duty. But are we seriously saying that counts more than actual form?

Farrell went with James Ryan instead — a solid lock on his day, sure, but he’s barely shown up on this tour. Anonymous in open play, average in the tight.

Hooked early in the second half when he did start. Meanwhile, Lawes is watching on from his vineyard.

2. Jack Willis – The Toulouse Titan Left Behind

This one’s just criminal. Willis has been on fire for Toulouse — arguably the best flanker in Europe, possibly even the world, and yet left at home? Come off it.

He’s dominating Top 14 games alongside world-class names and still gets overlooked because he’s not been playing Test rugby recently?

Ludicrous. If form counts for anything, Willis walks into this squad. And right now, the Lions back row could really use him.

3. Darcy Graham – Small in Size, Giant in Impact

Left out for being... too exciting? Farrell has clearly opted for size and structure over spark, picking Duhan van der Merwe and Mack Hansen instead. But Graham is a walking highlight reel — electric pace, dazzling footwork, and a nose for the try-line.

Hansen’s done little to justify his inclusion, yet keeps getting chances. Graham? Watching from home. Feels like a serious missed opportunity.

4. Freddie Steward – Safe Hands, Strange Snub

Still scratching our heads over this one. Steward is the best aerial fullback in the game. Dependable under pressure. Defensive rock. And in a brutal Test series, you want someone you can trust at the back.

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But Farrell wanted more flair. Fine — but when Blair Kinghorn went down, the call went not to Steward, but to Ireland’s James Osborne, with just eight caps to his name. A fullback selection that made absolutely no sense.