Former England fly-half confirms he's swapped nations after receiving first call-up

Tuesday, 10 June 2025 at 18:37

byRugby Rucker

Former Wasps fly-half Jacob Umaga has been named in Samoa’s 35-man squad for the first time, ahead of their July Test against Scotland and the Pacific Nations Cup.

The 26-year-old playmaker, capped once by England in 2021, becomes eligible for Samoa under World Rugby’s updated eligibility laws, which allow players to switch nations after a three-year stand-down period from Test rugby.

Umaga made his England debut off the bench in a 43-29 win over the USA but has not featured since. He was initially part of Eddie Jones’ squad as an apprentice during the 2020 Six Nations.

Since Wasps’ financial collapse in 2022, Umaga has been plying his trade in Italy with Benetton Rugby, helping them to a 10th-place finish in the United Rugby Championship this season.

Born in Halifax, Umaga is the son of former Samoa international Mike Umaga and the nephew of All Blacks legend Tana Umaga.

Now set to follow in his father’s footsteps, Umaga links up with a powerful Manu Samoa squad building towards a busy international window.

Farrell adds THREE more players to his British & Irish Lions squad

The trio will link up with the squad in Portugal next week as preparations continue for the fixture against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium on Friday, 20 June, followed by the Lions’ tour opener against the Western Force in Perth on 28 June.

Here’s a closer look at each of the new faces:

? Asher Opoku-Fordjour (England, Tighthead Prop)

Age: 20
Club: Sale Sharks
Caps: 1 (England)

A name on the rise, Opoku-Fordjour’s call-up caps off a breakthrough season for the Sale Sharks tighthead. The 20-year-old made his England debut during the autumn internationals and quickly turned heads with his power at the scrum and mobility around the park. He was also shortlisted for Premiership Young Player of the Season, a testament to his growing influence.

With Tadhg Furlong (injury), Will Stuart (unavailable), and Zander Fagerson (injured) all missing, Farrell has turned to one of England’s brightest front-row prospects to bolster the Lions' depth.

? Jamie George (England, Hooker)

Age: 33
Club: Saracens
Caps: 101 (England)

One of the most experienced hookers in world rugby, Jamie George brings leadership, set-piece precision, and a wealth of big-game experience. A three-time British & Irish Lions tourist (2017, 2021), George offers Farrell a reliable and proven option amid a hooker shortage—with both Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher tied up with Leinster.

George remains a cornerstone for Saracens and England, and his addition adds serious quality to the training setup in Portugal.

? Finlay Bealham (Ireland, Prop) - replaces injured Zander Fagerson

Age: 32
Club: Connacht
Caps: 41 (Ireland)

A versatile front-rower capable of playing both sides of the scrum, Bealham has quietly become a key contributor for both Connacht and Ireland. He was part of Ireland’s Grand Slam-winning Six Nations squad in 2023 and featured prominently at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

With his solid scrummaging, hard carries, and a knack for linking play, Bealham adds valuable depth and experience—particularly with so many Leinster players unavailable due to the URC final.

? Lions Under Pressure

With 12 Leinster players, as well as stars from Bath and Leicester, currently tied up in domestic finals, Farrell is working with a skeleton crew—especially in the front row. These new call-ups will provide crucial support in training and could push for tour match involvement if injuries persist.

Expect official confirmation of the full extended squad on Monday as the Lions gear up for a demanding summer campaign.

British & Irish Lions Squad – Portugal Training Camp

Forwards:

Finlay Bealham (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby/Ireland) #838
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks/England) #851
Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks/England) #853
Ben Earl (Saracens/England)
Jamie George (Saracens/England) #819
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears/England)
Maro Itoje (Saracens/England) #825 (C)
Jac Morgan (Ospreys/Wales)
Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks/England)
Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/England)
Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)

Backs:

Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) #837
Elliot Daly (Saracens/England) #822
Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints/England)
Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England)
Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/England)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins/England) #855
Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland) #841
Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby/Wales)

2025 British & Irish Lions Fixtures

1888 Cup

20/06/25: Lions v Argentina, Aviva Stadium, Dublin –
KO 8:00pm

2025 Qatar Airways Lions Series

28/06/25: Western Force v Lions, Optus Stadium, Perth – KO 10:45am
02/07/25: Queensland Reds v Lions, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane – KO 10:45am
05/07/25: NSW Waratahs v Lions, Allianz Stadium, Sydney – KO 10:45am
09/07/25: ACT Brumbies v Lions, Gio Stadium, Canberra – KO 10:45am
12/07/25: Invitational Australia & NZ XV v Lions, Adelaide Oval – KO 10:15am
19/07/25: Wallabies v Lions, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane – KO 10:45am
22/07/25: First Nations & Pasifika XV v Lions, Marvel Stadium, Melbourne – KO 10:45am
26/07/25: Wallabies v Lions, MCG, Melbourne – KO 10:45am
02/08/25: Wallabies v Lions, Accor Stadium, Sydney – KO 10:45am

TOUGH QUIZ: Can you name EVERY British & Irish Lions captain of the past 50 Years?

To make this a little bit more difficult, some of the more recent tours included multiple captains, with both needed to be named if you want to ace this Lions Tour quiz. You have six minutes to get all of your answers down, and your time starts... Now!

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