{"id":74167,"date":"2025-05-04T15:30:15","date_gmt":"2025-05-04T15:30:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/74167\/"},"modified":"2025-05-04T15:30:15","modified_gmt":"2025-05-04T15:30:15","slug":"owen-farrells-final-british-and-irish-lions-audition-lasts-just-19-minutes-planet-rugby","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/74167\/","title":{"rendered":"Owen Farrell’s final British and Irish Lions audition lasts just 19 minutes : Planet Rugby"},"content":{"rendered":"

Owen Farrell\u2019s final audition before next Thursday\u2019s British and Irish Lions tour squad announcement ended after just 19 minutes in Lyon on Sunday.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The former England skipper has been chasing form and fitness in recent weeks in France in a late bid to make the tour that his dad Andy will lead as head coach.<\/p>\n

However, his hopes of earning selection on a fourth successive Lions tour were dented by his short-lived Challenge Cup semi-final<\/a> appearance for Racing 92.<\/p>\n

The all-French fixture was delicately poised at 0-0 when Racing captain Farrell, who had been chosen to play at inside centre<\/a>, attempted a tackle on Lyon\u2019s wrecking ball Mickael Guillard.<\/p>\n

Farrell went in low and wrapped his left arm around Guillard\u2019s left thigh, but his head took a blow off the French forward\u2019s hip and the decision was taken to substitute the ex-England international after he received some on-field treatment.<\/p>\n

\u201cA long shot for him to get on that plane\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Farrell walked to the sideline, suggesting that the knock wasn\u2019t too serious, but it meant he missed the remaining hour of a semi-final that Racing went on to lose 15-29<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Former England number eight Lawrence Dallaglio insisted in his Sunday Times column<\/a> before the game that Farrell must be picked to tour with the Lions as the tourists would need him against Australia.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t beat a seasoned Test-match animal and I wouldn\u2019t even consider it a controversial selection,\u201d reckoned Dallaglio. \u201cAndy Farrell will put to one side the fact he is his son and just pick on who he thinks can help the Lions win the series.\u201d<\/p>\n

Premier Sports<\/a> pundit John Barclay, though, begged to differ, commenting at half-time in the semi-final that Farrell\u2019s slim chance of Lions selection had now been extinguished.<\/p>\n

The retired Scotland forward said: \u201cIt\u2019s a shame. He walks off and has a bit of a laugh with the coach. It doesn\u2019t look too serious but yeah, 20 minutes, I doubt that is going to be enough for him to really what would have been a long shot for him to get on that plane.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

An early exit \u274c<\/p>\n

Owen Farrell was forced off in the 19th minute of Racing 92\u2019s #ChallengeCupRugby<\/a> semi-final after he sustained a head injury.<\/p>\n

Racing 92 trail 10-8 at the break of their clash with Lyon. pic.twitter.com\/rUgCW3xSbG<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) May 4, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Simon Zebo, though, admitted he had been impressed by what Farrell managed during his short spell on the pitch. \u201cTo be fair to Owen Farrell, he started the game really well. He put in one or two grubber kicks, his handling was quite nice,\u201d said the retired Ireland back.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first chance Lyon had off the back of a scrum, they went wide. They had advantage and they ended up knocking on the ball, but Owen Farrell put in a monster tackle straight away from the get-go, so his mindset was there. It\u2019s just unfortunate his day was cut short.\u201d<\/p>\n

READ MORE<\/strong>: The 38 players Lawrence Dallaglio wants to see picked for the British and Irish Lions, including why Owen Farrell must travel<\/a><\/p>\n