Key events
In rugby news from the lower reaches of the international tiers, Hong Kong have beaten South Korea 70-22 in Incheon to win the Asia Rugby Championship and qualify for the World Cup for the first time. The Hong Kong side has got to the last stage of qualifying for the last two World Cups only to fall short but will now take their place at the expanded 24-team showpiece tournament in Australia in 2027. What a moment for the nation.
On a related but clearly irrelevant note, I was made in Hong Kong. True story.
On the late Pollock injury Andy Farrell, speaking to Sky Sports:
“Yes, he’s got a slight problem with his calf – nothing too serious. Knowing what we know, we thought it wasn’t right to risk him so we reshuffle.”
Have a read while you wait
He might not be playing for the Waratahs today, but Joseph Suaalii is likely to play for the Wallabies. Read more about it here
Your views are always welcome and today is no exception so send them to me on the Email. I may even tolerate Owen Faz chat, but don’t bank on it.
Teams
Rotation once more as the fixtures pile up quickly for Andy Farrell and the Lions, made more tricky by Henry Pollock withdrawing with a tight calf late on. Apparently it’s ‘precautionary’. Tadhg Beirne will have the honour of captaining from six, Scott Cummings now starts in the second row and Duhan van der Merwe comes onto the bench. Hugo Keenan has his first start of the tour at fullback along with Blair Kinghorn on the wing, while Fin Smith returns at stand-off.
The Waratahs have a few internationals in their lineup in Taniela Tupou, Andrew Kellaway, Rob Leota, Lalakai Foketi, and Darby Lancaster. Number 8, Hugh Sinclair, is awarded the captaincy in this his last ever game of professional rugby so expect some emotional scenes.
British & Irish Lions:
15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Blair Kinghorn, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell; 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3 Finlay Bealham, 4 Scott Cummings, 5 James Ryan, 6 Tadhg Beirne (captain), 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Ben Earl.
Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Ellis Genge, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Jac Morgan, Ben White, Marcus Smith, Duhan van der Merwe.
NSW Waratahs:
15 Lawson Creighton, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Lalakai Foketi, 12 Joey Walton, 11 Darby Lancaster, 10 Jack Bowen, 9 Teddy Wilson; 1 Tom Lambert, 2 Ethan Dobbins, 3 Taniela Tupou, 4 Fergus Lee-Warner, 5 Miles Amatosero, 6 Rob Leota, 7 Charlie Gamble, 8 Hugh Sinclair (captain).
Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Jack Barrett, Daniel Botha, Matt Philip, Jamie Adamson, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Henry O’Donnell
Preamble
Welcome to Sydney, where a game of rugby is in danger of breaking out in the midst of the Owen Farrell’s Worth Tour 2025. You would be forgiven if this match involving 23 British & Irish people – none of whom are Owen Farrell – has taken you by surprise at the end of this week of quite remarkable discourse.
But there is a match for the Lions to play against the Waratahs, a team that has had a fiercely mediocre season in their domestic competition and this isn’t even their first choice selection.
At this stage Farrell Snr’s men should be putting together more complete performances that address the issues so far. So look out for more energy in defence, a consistent lineout and a better kicking game out of hand that has been witnessed so far.
The Wallabies are waiting in a fortnight and Joe Schmidt will be watching with his notebook. I wonder what he would write about Owen Farrell.
