Owen Farrell’s return to British & Irish Lions duty wasn’t short of class—but it came with far less chaos than his explosive debut 11 years ago.
The 33-year-old made a solid impact off the bench as the Lions romped to a 48-0 win over an Australia-New Zealand Invitational XV, becoming just the fifth man in history to feature on four Lions tours.
Fittingly, Farrell’s first and fourth tours share some symmetry: both taking place Down Under. In 2013, a fresh-faced 21-year-old Farrell joined Warren Gatland’s squad in Australia, helping secure a 2-1 series win—the Lions’ first in 16 years.
But not every memory from that tour is one he’ll want to revisit.
In a warm-up clash against the Barbarians in Hong Kong, Farrell—then starting at fly-half—was caught in a bizarre incident with Saracens teammate Schalk Brits. Holding onto Brits’ shirt at a ruck, the South African hooker responded with a swinging left arm to Farrell’s face.
Farrell had to be restrained as he confronted Brits, who was shown a yellow card. Referee Steve Walsh explained: “Because of the nature of the game it’s only a yellow.”
Brits was later suspended for three weeks after a disciplinary hearing, despite originally facing a five-week ban.
Farrell, who sarcastically applauded Brits as he left the field, later played down the flashpoint: “I was trying to hold him into a ruck, and he reacted to that. It all happens in rugby. There’s no dramas there.”
He added: “You try not to take a backward step… There was nothing nasty in it.”
Brits reflected in 2022: “It wasn’t really [a punch], it was more of a push… I profusely apologised from day one.”
The pair went on to win four Premiership titles together—proof that rugby scars don’t always leave lasting wounds.
Editors Picks:
Four Lions stars who flopped against AUNZ XV
While the Lions cruised to a dominant 48-0 victory over the AUNZ XV, not every player impressed. Here are four stars whose performances fell short — and whose test hopes now look bleak despite the big win.
Duhan van der Merwe scored a hat-trick as the British and Irish Lions ran in eight tries in a rout of the AUNZ Invitational XV in their last game before the first Test against the Wallabies next weekend.
On an eventful night in Adelaide Owen Farrell came on as a second-half substitute, with news also emerging of a head injury to Garry Ringrose, putting him in danger of missing the match in Brisbane on Saturday.
Below, we look at four players who failed to impress.
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#1. Pierre Schoeman
Schoeman impressed in open play with strong carries and physicality but struggled at the scrum, conceding multiple free kicks for poor technique. His inconsistency at set-piece remains a key issue as test selection nears.
FloRugby 4/10: “Got busy in the loose as he got on the ball for some big rumbles. His shaky work at scrum time is what is holding him back, as he conceded a few free kicks for not driving straight. Schoeman offered solid carries and physicality in open play, but his inconsistency at the set-piece remains a concern as test selection draws nearer.”
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