Tom Curry wins back row spot for Lions opening Test against Australia
Tom Curry is a big game player and will undoubtedly raise his level against the Wallabies
©Sale Sharks
Of all the positions up for grabs, openside flanker arguably sparked the most debate ahead of Andy Farrell’s team announcement for the first Test against Australia.
Jac Morgan, the sole Welsh representative in the British & Irish Lions squad, made a strong case for his inclusion.
Tireless at the breakdown and outstanding in clashes against both the Reds and the AUNZ Invitational XV, the Ospreys man did everything asked of him. Few would have questioned his selection had he been named to start on Saturday.
Instead, Farrell has opted for England’s Tom Curry, who has only played 50 minutes at openside so far on this tour. Still, the Sale Sharks forward brings considerable physical presence and remains a disruptive force at the breakdown.
At blindside, Farrell has turned to Tadhg Beirne. A trusted, experienced figure, the Ireland international has been selected ahead of Ollie Chessum, who had played the full 80 minutes last week against the Brumbies in what many viewed as a potential dress rehearsal for the Test XV.
Both Morgan (who isn't in the matchday 23) and Chessum may feel unfortunate to miss out, but the selections of Beirne and Curry clearly signal Farrell’s priorities: Winning the forward battle and dominating at set-piece.
The Lions’ scrum has largely impressed since arriving in Australia, and Beirne’s presence at six, much like Chessum’s, adds valuable height in the line-out. With clean first-phase ball proving crucial to unleashing Finn Russell and the backline, maintaining that platform will be vital against the Wallabies.
“That is the area of the squad that has been hotly contested and talked about for quite some time," head coach Farrell said on the back-row. Rightly so because of the quality we have there.
"We feel this is the right balance for the first Test. Tadhg [Beirne] has quality in the set-piece but also in his all-round game, as a jackaler and a ball-playing six. Tadhg has played in many big games when it really matters. He complements Jack [Conan] and Tom [Curry] is the engine you need in Test match rugby.
"Jac [Morgan] was as close as you could imagine to getting into the team."
Maro Itoje and Joe McCarthy start in the second row, while the front row features the dynamic trio of Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan, and Tadhg Furlong.
In the backline, another major decision came in the centres. Farrell could have paired Bundee Aki with Huw Jones, but has instead gone with the established Scotland partnership of Sione Tuipulotu and Jones.
With Finn Russell at fly-half and Jamison Gibson-Park at scrum-half, there will be chemistry there which should allow the Lions to play with fluency and pace. James Lowe and Tommy Freeman are on the wings.
Hugo Keenan starts at full-back, with Blair Kinghorn not yet fit for selection following his knee injury. Marcus Smith takes a spot on the bench, offering cover at both fly-half and full-back. His versatility becomes especially valuable given Farrell’s decision to leave out Northampton’s Fin Smith altogether.
Henry Pollock, who unsurprisingly has caught the eye, also misses out with Farrell selecting Ben Earl among the replacements.
Elsewhere, as exclusively reported in the Telegraph, Owen Farrell, who made his first appearance of the tour in the 48-0 win against the AUNZ VX, isn't included in the matchday squad.
“We are entering the business end of the tour and it is time to put in our best performance to date," head coach Farrell added. "We know how motivated the Wallabies will be and we know they are a well-organised and dangerous side.
“It is a great occasion and a proud moment for Maro Itoje, who will captain the Test side, but also for those players who get the opportunity to represent the group on Saturday night.
“We have seen a flood of Lions supporters on the streets of Brisbane this week and we are looking forward to seeing a Sea of Red in the stands of the Suncorp Stadium cheering on the team.”
As for Australia, they have suffered a setback ahead of the first Test, with both No.8 Rob Valetini and lock Will Skelton ruled out due to calf injuries.
Their absence is a significant blow for head coach Joe Schmidt. Valetini is a powerful presence with ball in hand for both club and country, while Skelton’s size and physicality would have posed a major challenge for the Lions at set-piece and in open play.
"We just felt it was the most judicious decision,” Schmidt said. “Bobby has been a very regular starter for us and a big player for us. It puts more onus on Harry Wilson to fulfil the ball-carrying role.”
Elsewhere for the Wallabies, Tom Lynagh, son of Australian rugby great Michael Lynagh, will earn his first Test start at fly-half. Schmidt has also named debutant flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny in his matchday squad, adding fresh energy to the back row. Watch out for Fraser McReight at seven who will be out to disrupt the breakdown.
Matt Faessler is at hooker alongside tighthead Allan Alaalatoa and James Slipper, who is Australia’s record caps holder.
Rising star Joseph Suaalii, who impressed in Australia's victory over England last November, lines up at outside centre. In the back three, Harry Potter and Max Jorgensen are on the wings, with Tom Wright named at full-back.
Teams
Australia: Wright; Jorgensen, Suaalii, Ikitau, Potter; T Lynagh, Gordon; Slipper, Faessler, Alaalatoa, Frost, Williams, Champion de Crespigny, McReight, Wilson.
Replacements: Pollard, Bell, Robertson, Hooper, Tizzano, McDermott, Donaldson, Kellaway.
British and Irish Lions: Keenan; Freeman, Jones, Tuipulotu, Lowe; Russell, Gibson-Park; Genge, Sheehan, Furlong; Itoje, McCarthy; Beirne, Curry, Conan.
Replacements: Kelleher, Porter, Stuart, Chessum, Earl, Mitchell, M Smith, Aki.
.jpg "Ireland's Mack Hansen had impressed in games against the Western Force and the AUNZ Invitational XV")
