The latest rugby news on the evening headlines on Thursday, July 17.
Tommy Freeman of the British & Irish Lions (Image: David Rogers/Getty Images)
These are your evening headlines on Thursday, July 17.
Morgan unaffected by drama – Farrell
British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell says being the only Welshman left in the tourists’ squad hasn’t affected Jac Morgan in Australia as he admitted he never thought about trying to ensure all four home nations were represented in his Test team.
Farrell announced his side for the first Test in Brisbane on Thursday, with 11 Irish players, nine English players and five Scottish players in the matchday 23. Morgan, the only Welshman left in the Lions’ squad following Tomos Williams’ tour-ending injury, narrowly missed out to Sale openside Tom Curry.
Remarkably, each Test Lions team since Wales first became involved with the touring team back in 1899 has featured a Welshman. England last missed out on a Test in 1950, while Ireland was in 1989 and Scotland 2017.
Wales, however, would have been 1896 – a remarkable run of over a century that will now come to an end at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
When asked if any part of him felt bad that he couldn’t put out a Lions team that consisted of all four home nations, Farrell admitted it wasn’t something he thought about as he reiterated just how close Morgan was to making the team.
“Honestly, as far as selection is concerned, we can’t get involved in that because you take every individual as it is,” he said. “Who deserves to get picked.
“It just so happens that Jac was unbelievably close and in great form so there’s not much more he could have done.
“Josh (van der Flier), Jac and Henry (Pollock), if someone fell over tomorrow you would be sad for whoever in the back row but you know you would be well looked after in regards to those three who needed to step in.
“And you know, you think they are going to be tough conversations but when players are playing well I suppose it helps them to know what else could they have done. It is a nice healthy position to be in when you are having those conversations.”
After a tough couple of years for Welsh rugby, with the national team having only just ended the 18-Test losing streak out in Japan, Morgan’s performances for the Lions have been pleasing to see.
While the presence of just one Welshman in the squad might not have affected Farrell’s selection process, it is feasible that Morgan might have felt the weight of being the only Wales player left in the squad.
“Oh no,” answered Farrell. “Not whatsoever.
“Jac has [gone up]. We’ve all seen that. It’s been obvious to see.”
The Lions team received their caps and jerseys on Thursday evening at Brisbane’s Botanic Gardens, with the Lions tour manager Ieuan Evans presenting the caps to all the new Test Lions.
The jerseys for the matchday squad were presented by family members. If their family member wasn’t present, a video message of support was screened with a fellow squad member presenting the jersey.
The intimate event was attended by the entire travelling party and family members.
Having witnessed that event, the onus will now be on Morgan and others who missed out on Test selection to force their way back into the reckoning once the tour moves onto Melbourne on Sunday.
“You have the conversations with them in regards to where they think they are at and what they need to keep doing to get themselves in with a shot,” said Farrell.
“Some guys are playing fantastic rugby. Sometimes it is just a matter of being honest in regards to making a choice and hopefully that’s the right one for the team.”
Injured duo narrowly miss out for Wallabies
Australia coach Joe Schmidt says it was touch and go whether two of their best players would have made the first Test against the Lions this weekend.
Rob Valetini and Will Skelton have both missed out through injury, but as he allayed fears over their involvement in the remainder of the series, he said both were to playing this weekend.
“Right on the edge to be honest,” Schmidt said. “If it was the last game of the series I think they would have been in the mix but the risk you take if you put those guys out there and they’re not quite ready and you try to push them through, you might end up worse off.“I wouldn’t say we’re taking a long-term view with them but we just felt it was the most judicious decision at the time.”
Valetini is the Wallabies’ best player, having won the John Eales Medal back-to-back in the last two years.
“Bobby has been a very regular starter for us and a big player for us,” Schmidt said. “I guess that those are the things that do happen.“I thought Langi went well against the Fijians. Again, Langi, he was on the cusp as well, he’s just got a little bit of a cork.
“It’s a great opportunity for Nick Champion de Crespigny who’s trained well, had a good Super Rugby season, and is very excited about the opportunity he has.”
Lions wing counts costs of achieving dream
Lions wing Tommy Freeman has been counting the costs of achieving his rugby dream following a promise to his parents that has set him back over £12,000.
The England international returns to Suncorp Stadium this weekend for the first Test, having made his England debut there in 2022. It was during that summer tour that he pledged to fly his mum and dad – Sara and Cliff – to Australia in business class were he to picked for the Lions.
“My parents came to Australia in 2022. It was very last minute because I didn’t think I was going to play out here, so I told them not to come,” Freeman said.
“I eventually got selected and then they flew out. It was last minute so I told them that if I get picked for the Lions I would pay for their business class seats, which has backfired!”
Freeman believes his selection for the first Test has provided his parents with a boost following an accident earlier in the tour.
“I gave them a ring and they are having troubles of their own. Mum has just broken her foot so she has had surgery in Adelaide,” he said.
“They were travelling from Canberra to Adelaide and thought they would drive it so they pulled over and got some photos….
“It has not gone well on that front so a bit of good news for them was good. Mum’s main concern was being fit enough to fly to get here in time.
“They were obviously delighted and all the travelling miles they have put in for me has paid off.
“It’s amazing to be able to give back because I am not that pleasant to be around on game day with the nerves. I can be a bit grumpy, so for it all to pay off with moments like this is extra special.”