"Not good enough" - 10 Changes Andy Farrell Must Make After Pumas Defeat
Rugby NewsSaturday, 21 June 2025 at 06:47
Andy Farrell admits his British & Irish Lions side were “disconnected” and must learn “a lot of lessons” after slumping to a disappointing 28-24 defeat to Argentina in Dublin.
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It was the Lions’ first-ever loss to the Pumas on home soil, and their final match before jetting off for the summer tour of Australia.
The loss exposed key flaws across the park, and Farrell wasted no time ringing the changes ahead of their second match — a must-win tour opener against Western Force on June 28 in Perth.
Here, RUCK names the 10 players Farrell must axe — and the five who’ve done just enough to hold on to their shirts.
10 Changes Farrell Must Make
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
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- 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 Every 2021 British & Irish Lions Player?
Think you remember the 2021 Lions tour of South Africa? It’s been a few years since that brutal, bruising, and controversial Test series — but true rugby heads never forget.
- 42 players were named in Warren Gatland’s final squad
- The Lions won the First Test 22-17, but the Springboks hit back to win the series 2-1
- The decider? A gritty 19-16 Springbok victory that still stings for many fans
Now it's time to test your memory.
- How many of those 42 Lions can you name?
- No hints. No positions. Just rugby IQ.
- You’ve got 5 minutes.
Take the quiz, scroll down, and start typing.
Let’s see what you’re made of.
Let’s see what you’re made of.
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