Farrell to captain British & Irish Lions against First Nations Pasifika

Mon, Jul 21, 2025, 4:30 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Dan Sheehan stars the scoring in the second half of the first Test

England flyhalf Owen Farrell will continue his remarkable return to the British & Irish Lions after being named captain to face the First Nations Pasifika XV on Tuesday.

Farrell will lead the side from inside centre, with coach and dad Andy making wholesale changes to the team that defeated the Wallabies on Saturday.

Final tickets still available! Get your tickets for the British & Irish Lions tour here

It will be the English star's 20th appearance for the Lions, having been called into the 2025 squad following injury to Elliot Daly.

Scottish winger Darcy Graham and Ireland centre Jamie Osborne line up for their first appearances for the Lions, having joined the group late.

There are three Lions debutants on the bench, including Ewan Ashman, Tom Clarkson and Gregor Brown.

Garry Ringrose makes his return from injury as part of the forwards reserves, with Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell and Marcus Smith the only players to make up from the First Test.

"This fixture gives players another opportunity to put their hand up for selection for the final two Tests," Andy Farrell said in a statement.

"The coaches’ minds are open when it comes to selection, they have to be with so many players performing and pushing for places and we want that to continue for the remaining two Tests.

"This group know the level of performance that we will require against a First Nations Pasifika team that is packed with talent and power.”

Fin Smith partners Ben White in the halves, while  Blair Kinghorn and Duhan van der Merwe round out the starting backline.

Jamie George gets his first appearance of the tour, starting in the front-row with Finlay Bealham and Pierre Schoeman.

James Ryan and Scott Cummings line up in the second row, with a dangerous back row of Jac Morgan, Josh Van der Flier and Henry Pollock.

LIONS (1-15): Pierre Schoeman, Jamie George, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Scott Cummings, Jac Morgan, Josh van der Flier, Henry Pollock, Ben White, Fin Smith, Duhan van der Merwe, Owen Farrell (c), Jamie Osborne, Darcy Graham, Blair Kinghorn

Replacements: Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland, Tom Clarkson, Gregor Brown, Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Garry Ringrose

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