Owen Farrell Joins Lions Tour After Elliot Daly's Injury Ends His Campaign
Owen Farrell Joins Lions Tour After Elliot Daly's Injury Ends His Campaign
Owen Farrell was called up to the British and Irish Lions after Elliot Daly's tour ended with a fractured forearm suffered in win over the Queensland Reds.
Owen Farrell is set to join the British and Irish Lions squad in Australia after Elliot Daly was ruled out of the tour with a fractured forearm, the team confirmed Thursday.
Daly, 31, sustained the injury during the Lions’ commanding 52-12 win over the Queensland Reds on Wednesday.
Originally not named in the starting XV, Daly stepped in for Hugo Keenan, who was ruled out due to illness, but was forced off in the second half following the injury. An X-ray later confirmed a break.
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“It is heartbreaking for the group that Elliot’s tour is over,” said Lions head coach Andy Farrell. “He is a Lions legend who has added so much to the group, on and off the field.”
Daly had become a fixture in the Lions setup, making his 11th consecutive appearance in a matchday 23 on Wednesday.
His withdrawal opens the door for a familiar face — Owen Farrell, his longtime Saracens and England teammate, and son of the current head coach.
The 33-year-old fly-half will arrive in Sydney on Friday evening and is expected to be available for Saturday’s clash against the New South Wales Waratahs.
This marks Farrell’s fourth British and Irish Lions tour, having previously featured in 2013, 2017 and 2021. He has made 18 appearances for the Lions and holds 112 England caps, making him his country’s all-time leading point-scorer.
Farrell has not played international rugby since stepping away after the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
After a brief and unsteady stint with Racing 92 in France, he returned to Saracens earlier this summer. He has not played competitively in over nine weeks due to a concussion.
“When naming the squad in May, I said he was still in contention,” Andy Farrell said. “An experienced player like that, going for his fourth tour, you cover all bases with the leadership qualities he brings.”
Lions tour manager Ieuan Evans paid tribute to Daly.
“To be a three-time tourist like Elliot means you have to be a world-class player over an extended period of time," Evans said. "He will be sorely missed, and we wish him a speedy recovery.”
Farrell’s return adds significant experience to a squad aiming to remain unbeaten in Australia as the tour progresses.
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