Lions boss Andy Farrell makes his feelings clear on calling up son Owen Farrell

Wednesday, 26 March 2025 at 13:12

byRugby Rucker

Owen Farrell will remain eligible for the British and Irish Lions in 2025, despite his decision to leave Saracens and sign for French Top 14 side Racing 92.

Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.

Farrell, who has spent his entire career with Saracens since debuting at 17, has agreed to a two-year deal with Racing starting on 1 July, the club confirmed.

Lions Chief: No Restrictions on Selection

Lions chief executive Ben Calveley has confirmed that Farrell's move to France will not hinder his chances of Lions selection. "We don’t have a policy that closes off anyone from being selected," Calveley stated. He pointed to previous Lions tours as examples, citing players who were chosen even when not playing for their national side.

“If you just look at previous Lions tours, we’ve had people come on a tour who haven’t been playing for a national side. Will Greenwood in 1997 is a great example. In 2021, Finn Russell was based in France, so we don’t have any restrictions on selection.”

WIN A TRIP TO THE 2025 LIONS:

THE PACKAGE INCLUDES

The winner will be part of the Lions supporters group with tour representatives on hand to oversee everything.

UK CUSTOMERS LEARN MORE

Speculation Over Selection

Andy Farrell’s appointment as British & Irish Lions head coach has reignited speculation about his son Owen Farrell’s chances of making the squad. Despite Andy’s track record of impartiality — famously urging Warren Gatland to pick Jonny Wilkinson over Owen for the 2013 tour — the family connection still raises eyebrows.

In the end, Owen was called up instead of Wilkinson, who had already retired from England duty and turned down Gatland’s approach. But with Andy now in charge, concerns about potential bias have resurfaced.

When pressed on the issue, Andy was clear that family ties won’t influence his decisions. “It’s about form; it’s about watching the game properly. Selection is the same as for everyone else. No different,” he insisted.

As the Lions squad announcement looms, the question remains: will Owen’s form secure his place, or will suspicions of favouritism continue to swirl?

Marcus Smith set to miss out on the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour

With just over a month until the 2025 British & Irish Lions squad is revealed, the odds are showing which players are most likely to earn a spot on the prestigious tour.

Back-Three: Speed, Power, and Flair

The back-three options for the Lions are packed with dynamic talent. From powerful wingers to dependable fullbacks, the competition is fierce.

Scotland’s Duhan van der Merwe is practically a lock, with odds of 1/16, while Ireland’s James Lowe and Hugo Keenan also look set to make the squad. With plenty of flair and power in this group, it’s going to be a tough decision for the selectors.

Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) - 1/16
James Lowe (Ireland) - 1/8
Hugo Keenan (Ireland) - 1/5
Tommy Freeman (England) - 4/9
Blair Kinghorn (Scotland) - 8/11
Mack Hansen (Ireland) - 2/1

Centre: Physicality Meets Creativity

In the centres, the Lions have a wealth of players who can bring both physicality and creativity. Ireland’s Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw top the list, with Aki’s odds sitting comfortably at 1/5. Scotland’s Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu are also in strong contention, bringing versatility and power to the midfield.

Bundee Aki (Ireland) - 1/5
Huw Jones (Scotland) - 1/4
Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland) - 2/7
Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) - 8/11

Fly-Halves: The Masterminds of Attack

Fly-half is one of the most critical positions for any team, and the Lions have three top-class contenders. Scotland’s Finn Russell leads the way with odds of 1/10, while England’s Fin Smith and Ireland’s Sam Prendergast are hot on his heels.

Russell’s vision and flair will make him a key playmaker, but Smith and Prendergast bring youthful energy and composure to the table.

Finn Russell (Scotland) - 1/10
Fin Smith (England) - 8/15
Sam Prendergast (Ireland) - 8/11

Scrum-Halves: Quick, Dynamic, and Clinical

At scrum-half, Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park has the edge with odds of 8/11, though England’s Alex Mitchell and Scotland’s Ben White are breathing down his neck.

All three are known for their speed and sharp decision-making, making the scrum-half position a tight contest as the Lions look for the perfect player to feed their backline.

Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland) - 8/11
Alex Mitchell (England) - 11/10
Ben White (Scotland) - 11/10

Prop: Dominant in the Scrums

The prop positions are likely to see fierce competition, with the Irish duo of Tadhg Furlong and Andrew Porter looking like certainties. Scotland’s Zander Fagerson, England’s Ellis Genge, and Wales’ Nicky Smith will all be pushing for a place, making this one of the most closely contested positions. Furlong and Porter are the front-runners, but the battle for the other spots will be intense.

Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) - 1/8
Andrew Porter (Ireland) - 1/7
Zander Fagerson (Scotland) - 4/11
Ellis Genge (England) - 4/6
Nicky Smith (Wales) - 5/6
Pierre Schoeman (Scotland) - 5/4

Hooker: Precision and Power in the Front Row

In the hooker department, Ireland’s Dan Sheehan is the standout contender with a dominant 1/10. England’s Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie will both be pushing hard for the other spots, with Cowan-Dickie’s form proving to be a key factor. Sheehan’s reliability at the line-out and in open play will make him tough to overlook.

Dan Sheehan (Ireland) - 1/10
Jamie George (England) - 8/15
Luke Cowan-Dickie (England) - 6/5

Lock: Strength in the Line-Out

The lock positions are dominated by England’s Maro Itoje, who is practically a certainty with odds of 1/33. Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne and Joe McCarthy are also looking strong, while England’s Ollie Chessum and Scotland’s Scott Cummings provide a solid mix of experience and youthful energy. Itoje’s dominance in the line-out and around the park is unmatched, but the competition for the other spots remains fierce.

Maro Itoje (England) - 1/33
Tadhg Beirne (Ireland) - 1/10
Joe McCarthy (Ireland) - 4/6
Ollie Chessum (England) - 8/11
Scott Cummings (Scotland) - 11/10

Back-Row: The Workhorses of the Lions

In the back-row, the Irish contingent is well-represented with Caelan Doris, Ben Earl, and Josh van der Flier all leading the way. The Lions will need players who can carry the ball, tackle hard, and provide leadership. England’s Tom Curry and Wales’ Jac Morgan are also pushing hard for spots in a fiercely competitive back-row selection.