5 h. ago Lions still on red alert despite gaping holes in Australia’s team

Andy Farrell may look at ease but he knows his team need to be in physical and mental control for the first TestSometimes the best place to gauge the mindset of a head coach before a big game is not the training pitch or the press conference room but the pub across the road. Which is where Andy Farrell and his wife Colleen were enjoying a relaxing post-team selection drink by an open window when a few of us happened to wander past en route back from dinner.There may be a huge contest looming but, the closer it draws, the more at ease Farrell is beginning to look. While the competitor in him loves the approaching whiff of cordite he is not a man who believes in sitting and fretting in his room before major contests. He likes to be out and about, getting a sense of the local mood and helping to fill the quiet before the storm. Continue reading...

Events

5 h. ago Lions still on red alert despite gaping holes in Australia’s team sheet | Robert Kitson

Andy Farrell may look at ease but he knows his team need to be in physical and mental control for the first TestSometimes the best place to gauge the mindset of a head coach before a big game is not the training pitch or the press conference room but the pub across the road. Which is where Andy Farrell and his wife, Colleen, were enjoying a relaxing post-team selection drink by an open window when a few of us happened to wander past en route back from dinner.There may be a huge contest looming but, the closer it draws, the more at ease Farrell is beginning to look. While the competitor in him loves the approaching whiff of cordite he is not a man who believes in sitting and fretting in his room before major contests. He likes to be out and about, getting a sense of the local mood and helping to fill the quiet before the storm. Continue reading...

Events

5 h. ago ‘Make it happen when it matters’ – Andy Farrell urges Lions to embrace pressure

Powerful Lions side named to face Australia in first TestTom Curry starts in back row, no Welsh player in 23Andy Farrell has urged his British & Irish Lions players to embrace the pressure of their billing as heavy favourites to beat Australia in the series opener on Saturday.The Lions will go into Saturday’s match as odds-on favourites after Farrell named a powerful side featuring Tom Curry at openside flanker and Sione Tuipulotu at inside-centre to face a Wallabies team missing Will Skelton, Rob Valetini and Taniela Tupou. Continue reading...

Events

6 h. ago We want to embrace being favourites – Lions boss Andy Farrell on Australia test

The Wallabies are currently ranked eighth in the world.

Politics

7 h. ago Andy Farrell insists Lions will not take weakened Wallabies lightly in first Test

The Lions are favoured for first Test victory in Brisbane but their head coach insists there will be no complacency from his side

Politics

8 h. ago Fans say the same thing about Andy Farrell's 'criminal' Lions selection

The decision means there won't be a single Welshman in the Lions squad for the opening Test with the Wallabies this weekend

Politics

9 h. ago Andy Farrell 'gutted' for Jac Morgan as reason for Wales star's omission emerges

The British & Irish Lions coach has been speaking about his first Test team to face the Wallabies on Saturday

Events

11 h. ago British and Irish Lions: Andy Farrell makes history with all

Lions set for their first real Test against Wallabies

Politics

11 h. ago Lions pick four England stars for first Australia showdown as Marcus Smith gets bench role

England will play Australia in the first Test with Tom Curry backed to do a job in the backrow as Andy Farrell relies on eight of his Ireland stars to get the job done

Politics

12 h. ago Marcus Smith defies odds to claim Lions spot for first Wallabies Test

Andy Farrell opts for Smith’s versatility over son Owen Tom Curry to start in back-row with Beirne and ConanMarcus Smith has been named on the bench for the British & Irish Lions’ first Test against Australia with Tom Curry and Sione Tuipulotu selected to start in Brisbane on Saturday.Smith has defied the odds to claim a place in the match-day 23, benefiting from injuries to Blair Kinghorn and Mack Hansen and preferred to Owen Farrell among the replacements. Continue reading...

Politics

15 h. ago Lions team announcement Live as Jac Morgan set to miss out against Wallabies

British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell will name his side for the first Test against Australia in Brisbane on Thursday

Politics

15 h. ago Lions name first Test team as Jac Morgan left out completely

British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell has named his side for the first Test against Australia in Brisbane on Thursday

Politics

32 h. ago The full leaked Lions team now expected to be named within hours

Andy Farrell is set to officially name his squad tomorrow but leaks have already emerged

Politics

33 h. ago Owen Farrell overlooked by dad for Lions showdown as Andy Farrell makes tough call

Owen Farrell has been tipped to feature in the first British and Irish Lions Test but looks to have missed out with Marcus Smith reportedly beating him to a spot on the bench

Politics

36 h. ago Owen Farrell expected to be left out of Lions squad for first Wallabies Test

Coach Andy Farrell likely to opt for Marcus SmithEngland’s Tom Curry to feature in back-rowOwen Farrell is expected to be omitted from the British & Irish Lions squad to face the Wallabies on Saturday in Brisbane.Farrell impressed in his first appearance of the tour last week but it is believed Andy Farrell is ready to overlook his son with Marcus Smith the likely beneficiary. Continue reading...

Politics

50 h. ago Jack Conan says nerves mounting as Lions prepare to name first Test team

The players will be told who has made the matchday 23 for Saturday’s series opener at a meeting on Wednesday.

Politics

60 h. ago Lions face new injury blow with Mack Hansen expected to miss first Australia Test

Wing in doubt after missing training due to a foot issueAndy Farrell has privately picked side to face Wallabies on SaturdayThe Ireland wing Mack Hansen is expected to miss out on a place in the British & Irish Lions’ team for the first Test against the Wallabies on Saturday with a foot injury. Hansen’s setback comes with the fullback Blair Kinghorn also poised to miss out after both skipped training on Tuesday.The Lions have not yet officially ruled Hansen or Kinghorn out of contention to face Australia in Brisbane, but coach Andy Farrell has already privately picked his side for Saturday and given neither player was able to train on Tuesday it seems unlikely that either will feature. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Maro Itoje welcomes ‘quality players’ into Lions squad as Scots are summoned

Scotland trio Rory Sutherland, Ewan Ashman and Darcy Graham will join up with Andy Farrell’s men over the coming week.

Sport

3 d. ago Predicting the British and Irish Lions team for the first Test against Australia

With the warm-up fixtures at an end, who has forced their way into Andy Farrell’s plans?

Politics

3 d. ago Andy Farrell calls up Scotland trio to British and Irish Lions squad as injury cover ahead of tour match

Farrell continues to call in reinforcements ahead of the series-opener against Australia on Saturday

Events