Lions legend slams Sky Sports' 'cheerleading' coverage during tour opener
Rugby NewsMonday, 23 June 2025 at 14:23
England legend Brian Moore has taken aim at Sky Sports, accusing the broadcaster of biased, overly sentimental coverage of the British & Irish Lions' warm-up clash with Argentina — and he's not the only one unhappy with what they saw on Friday night.
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Sky have rolled out a blockbuster punditry team for their summer Lions coverage, with Will Greenwood, Warren Gatland, Sam Warburton, and Dan Biggar all featuring prominently.
Owen Farrell has also joined the panel, alongside a stacked supporting cast including Ronan O'Gara, Kyle Sinckler, John Barclay, Conor Murray, Nolli Waterman, Anthony Watson, and Sir Ian McGeechan.
But Moore, never one to shy away from a hard truth, has issued a stark warning to Sky’s team: don’t lose sight of objectivity.
In his latest
Telegraph column,
the former England hooker wrote:“It is said that every expectation is a disappointment waiting to happen and this highlights a challenge with covering the tour.
There must be balance and not oscillation between celebrating tradition, and cloying sentimentality and cliché.
The next few weeks are going to be full, if not overfull, of analysis and comment from every kind of media and this is where a note of caution should be sounded.”
Moore, who toured with the Lions in 1989 and 1993, pulled no punches:
“We all want the Lions to succeed, but this should not be at the expense of objectivity.
Punditry and colour-commentary needs to be detached. These are not cheerleading roles.”
Fans echoed Moore’s frustration, with many taking to social media to question the lack of critical insight in Friday’s coverage.
Sky’s pundit line-up might be glittering — but Moore’s message is clear: analysis first, allegiance second.
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10 Lions Changes Andy 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
Can You Name These 10 Legendary British & Irish Lions?
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