Former England captain Owen Farrell is in line for a remarkable call-up to the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia.<\/b><\/p>\n
Coach Andy Farrell is set to turn to his son as a replacement for utility back Elliot Daly, who has been ruled out with the arm injury he suffered in Wednesday’s win over Queensland Reds.<\/a><\/p>\n Owen Farrell, 33, recently returned to Saracens<\/a> after a difficult season in Paris with Racing 92.<\/p>\n He won 112 caps for his country before taking a break from England duty after the 2023 Rugby World Cup.<\/p>\n A Test Lion on the 2013, 2017 and 2021 tours, there is no doubting Farrell’s credentials.<\/p>\n But his call-up is controversial. <\/p>\n Farrell has not played international rugby in nearly two years and has not played at all in nearly nine weeks after suffering a concussion while playing for Racing against Lyon on 4 May, his last game for the Top 14 side.<\/p>\n A host of other contenders – such as Wales’ Blair Murray or Scotland’s Tom Jordan – have been training and preparing for competitive rugby with their national sides.<\/p>\n However, when naming his Lions squad on 8 May, Andy Farrell confirmed Owen had been in selection contention despite his lack of international rugby.<\/p>\n “Owen was in the conversation obviously, an experienced player like that, looking for his fourth tour and with his leadership qualities,” he said.<\/p>\n Last month England head coach Steve Borthwick confirmed Owen Farrell was not considered for<\/a> England’s summer tour<\/a> to Argentina, despite his return home making him eligible again.<\/p>\n