Owen Farrell set for Lions return in final match before Test series

by The TRU Team Thursday 10 July 2025

Owen Farrell hasn't played Test rugby since the 2023 World Cup in France

©Julian Finney - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images

Owen Farrell will make his first appearance for the British & Irish Lions on Saturday after being named on the bench for their final warm-up fixture against an invitational Australia–New Zealand XV.

The 33-year-old returns to international action for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, having stepped away from Test rugby to focus on his and his family’s mental wellbeing.

Tadhg Beirne will again captain the Lions, while Hugo Keenan returns at full-back, aiming to cement the No.15 shirt following Blair Kinghorn’s knee injury in Wednesday’s 36-24 win over the Brumbies.

Ireland’s Jamie Osborne will join the squad to provide additional training cover for Kinghorn who will manage his return to training over the coming days.

Osborne is currently with the Ireland squad in Portugal and will arrive in Brisbane on Saturday to meet up with the squad.

Marcus Smith joins Farrell on the bench, with Fin Smith selected to start at fly-half. Debutant Ben White lines up at scrum-half, while Scotland pair Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones return to the midfield.

In the forwards, Jac Morgan has a real opportunity to nail down the seven shirt whilst Henry Pollock is in on the blindside.

As for the AUNZ Invitational XV, they boast a formidable line-up, co-captained by Wallabies lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and All Blacks centre David Havili.

Shannon Frizell adds further physical presence in the back row, while Pete Samu - a Champions Cup winner with Bordeaux Bègles in May - also features.

"We are in a great position just over a week out from the first Test,” said Andy Farrell, the head coach. “This is the most important game of the tour because it’s the next one.”

British and Irish Lions: Keenan; Hansen, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; F Smith, White; Schoeman, Cowan-Dickie, Stuart, Ryan, Beirne (c), Pollock, Morgan, Earl

Replacements: Kelleher, Porter, Bealham, Cummings, Van der Flier, Mitchell, M Smith, Farrell

AUNZ Invitational: Stevenson; Lam, Laumape, Havili (cc), Koroibete; Edmed, Fakatava; Ross, Paenga-Amosa, Toomaga-Allen, Blyth, Salakaia-Loto, Frizell, Samu, Sotutu.

Replacements: Eklund, Fusitu'a, Dyer, Philip, Brial, Thomas, McLaughlin-Phillips, Campbell