Jac Morgan and Owen Farrell come into the Lions XV: Big changes confirmed
Rugby NewsMonday, 21 July 2025 at 07:04
Andy Farrell has confirmed his matchday 23 for the final midweek clash of the 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour, as the squad prepares to face the First Nations & Pasifika XV at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium.
Saracens playmaker Owen Farrell will captain the side as he makes his 20th Lions appearance, lining up in the No.12 jersey and forming a centre partnership with Jamie Osborne of Leinster and Ireland.
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Ben White (Toulon/Scotland) starts at scrum-half and will be joined at half-back by Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/England), who wears the No.10 shirt.
Blair Kinghorn returns from injury to start at fullback in an all-Scottish back three, alongside Edinburgh duo Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe.
Up front, Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh/Scotland), Jamie George (Saracens/England), and Finlay Bealham(Connacht/Ireland) pack down in the front row.
James Ryan (Leinster/Ireland) and Scott Cummings (Glasgow/Scotland) are named in the engine room.
The back row sees Jac Morgan (Ospreys/Wales) take the No.6 jersey, with Josh van der Flier (Leinster/Ireland) at openside and Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/England) starting at No.8.
Lions Head Coach Andy Farrell said:
“This fixture gives players another opportunity to put their hand up for selection for the final two Tests.
The coaches’ minds are open when it comes to selection, they have to be with so many players performing and pushing for places and we want that to continue for the remaining two Tests.
This group know the level of performance that we will require against a First Nations Pasifika team that is packed with talent and power.”
The match kicks off at 11.00am BST and will be broadcast live on SKY Sports in the UK and Ireland.
British & Irish Lions vs First Nations & Pasifika XV
Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Tuesday 22nd July, 2025
Kick-Off: 11:00 BST
Tuesday 22nd July, 2025
Kick-Off: 11:00 BST
Starting XV:
15. Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse/Scotland) #882
14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
13. Jamie Osborne (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
12. Owen Farrell (Saracens/England) #780 (c)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland) #841
10. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/England) #862
9. Ben White (Toulon/Scotland) #883
15. Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse/Scotland) #882
14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
13. Jamie Osborne (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
12. Owen Farrell (Saracens/England) #780 (c)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland) #841
10. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/England) #862
9. Ben White (Toulon/Scotland) #883
- Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland) #868
- Jamie George (Saracens/England) #819
- Finlay Bealham (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) #856
- James Ryan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #880
- Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland) #869
- Jac Morgan (Ospreys/Wales) #861
- Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #874
- Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/England) #865
Replacements:
16. Ewan Ashman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
17. Rory Sutherland (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland) #840
18. Tom Clarkson (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
19. Gregor Brown (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
20. Ben Earl (Saracens/England) #857
21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England) #860
22. Marcus Smith (Harlequins/England) #855
23. Garry Ringrose (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #872
16. Ewan Ashman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
17. Rory Sutherland (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland) #840
18. Tom Clarkson (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
19. Gregor Brown (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
20. Ben Earl (Saracens/England) #857
21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England) #860
22. Marcus Smith (Harlequins/England) #855
23. Garry Ringrose (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #872
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Three Lions stars who flopped agains the Wallabies
Here’s a breakdown of the three underperforming Lions players, their potential replacements, and why each should be dropped for the next Test based on current form and match impact.
#1. Hugo Keenan – Fullback
Performance Summary:
- Rating Consensus: 5/10 across all outlets
- Errors: Two turnovers, poor under the high ball, responsible for Max Jorgensen’s try
- Positives: Grew into the game slightly, some flashes of attacking promise
Critique:
Keenan struggled under pressure, especially in the aerial game — a non-negotiable at Test level. His missed contest under the high ball directly led to Australia’s first try, and he looked shaky throughout when tested defensively.
Keenan struggled under pressure, especially in the aerial game — a non-negotiable at Test level. His missed contest under the high ball directly led to Australia’s first try, and he looked shaky throughout when tested defensively.
Replacement: Blair Kinghorn
If fit, Kinghorn offers more size, versatility, and attacking spark. His high ball security and counter-attacking ability could offer greater threat and reliability.
If fit, Kinghorn offers more size, versatility, and attacking spark. His high ball security and counter-attacking ability could offer greater threat and reliability.
Final Verdict:
Keenan should be dropped for lack of command at the back and vulnerability under pressure, which cost the Lions territory and points. Kinghorn’s more robust and dynamic style is a better fit against high-kicking sides like Australia.
#2. Tommy Freeman – Wing
Performance Summary:
- Rating Consensus: 4–5/10
- Errors: Kicks out on the full (twice), 4 turnovers, poor offloading
- Positives: Early physical carry, effort in defense
Critique:
Freeman’s athleticism and effort aren’t in doubt, but his execution was off. Repeated unforced kicking errors, soft knock-ons, and poor decision-making stunted momentum and gave Australia easy outs. Despite work rate, he looked out of sync with teammates.
Freeman’s athleticism and effort aren’t in doubt, but his execution was off. Repeated unforced kicking errors, soft knock-ons, and poor decision-making stunted momentum and gave Australia easy outs. Despite work rate, he looked out of sync with teammates.
Replacement: Duhan van der Merwe
Duhan offers physical dominance, line-breaking ability, and finishing power. He can punish defensive lapses and relieve pressure with carries.
Duhan offers physical dominance, line-breaking ability, and finishing power. He can punish defensive lapses and relieve pressure with carries.
Final Verdict:
Freeman should be dropped because his decision-making under pressure and basic handling let the team down. Van der Merwe is a more imposing and reliable threat in both attack and defense.
#3. James Lowe – Wing
Performance Summary:
- Rating Consensus: 3–5/10 (lowest average rating of the three)
- Errors: Kicked dead, dropped ball near try-line, overcooked kicks, turnover near tryline
- Positives: One promising fend and inside ball (disallowed try)
Critique:
Lowe had a nightmare game. Multiple poor decisions — particularly with ball in hand and tactical kicking — led to lost points and momentum. His lack of pace was exposed, and he repeatedly gave away field position.
Lowe had a nightmare game. Multiple poor decisions — particularly with ball in hand and tactical kicking — led to lost points and momentum. His lack of pace was exposed, and he repeatedly gave away field position.
Replacement: Mack Hansen
Hansen is creative, composed, and has strong game awareness. He brings spark, great handling, and reliable kicking from the backfield, making him an all-round upgrade.
Hansen is creative, composed, and has strong game awareness. He brings spark, great handling, and reliable kicking from the backfield, making him an all-round upgrade.
Final Verdict:
Lowe must be dropped — his decision-making, handling, and lack of pace are liabilities. Mack Hansen brings more polish and unpredictability that could unlock Australia’s defense.
Quiz Title: Most Points for the British & Irish Lions in Test Matches
Introduction:
Think you know your Lions legends? ?
Test your rugby knowledge by naming the players who have scored the most points for the British & Irish Lions in test matches. These are the top scorers from historic tours—can you remember them all?
Think you know your Lions legends? ?
Test your rugby knowledge by naming the players who have scored the most points for the British & Irish Lions in test matches. These are the top scorers from historic tours—can you remember them all?
You have 5 minutes.
Good luck!
Good luck!
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