Monday\u2019s confirmation from Melbourne that Owen Farrell will skipper the British and Irish Lions in the final midweek game of their 2025 tour hasn\u2019t gone down well with some online rugby fans.<\/p>\n
The 33-year-old son of head coach Andy was called up earlier this month as the replacement for the injured Elliot Daly<\/a>.<\/p>\n He made his first appearance off the bench in the second half of the comfortable July 12 win over the AUNZ Invitational XV in Adelaide and will now captain the team for Tuesday\u2019s match versus the First Nations & Pasifika XV<\/a>.<\/p>\n Farrell\u2019s July 3 call-up was controversial, as he had zero form after missing the back end of the 2024\/25 season due to injury with Racing 92.<\/p>\n \u201cPretty clear and obvious\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He has since rejoined Saracens and despite not having played any Test rugby since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, he is now part of the Lions squad in Australia and will lead the team out in Melbourne<\/a>.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a selection that Lions assistant coach Simon Easterby moved to defend on Monday, claiming at a media briefing: \u201cYou look at the team and the experience he has in that, it\u2019s pretty clear and obvious why he is the skipper.\u201d<\/p>\n Easterby\u2019s perspective hasn\u2019t mirrored the online reaction to the decision, with some fans branding the selection as \u201cabsolutely pathetic\u201d, \u201cinsulting\u201d and \u201ca farce\u201d.<\/p>\n British and Irish Lions team: Winners and losers as Owen Farrell captains and Scotland call-up has opportunity to make case for Test start<\/a><\/p>\n The Lions, though, did have the odd backer, with one fan in particular alleging that \u201cthe usual keyboard coaches crying were their eyes out\u201d following the team announcement. Here is a cross-section of the messages published on X:<\/p>\n @DelBoy80s: How to kill the magic of the Lions. Andy Farrell has done a masterclass this tour. I\u2019ve followed the Lions since \u201993, I own every Lions shirt since then (match and training), they are my treasured possessions. The elite of rugby imho, bigger than a RWC. But this tour!!!!!!<\/p>\n @SBuscemiFanClub: Irishman here. Dreadful decision to have Farrell as captain, especially with so many other established leaders in the team. Full backing to the team, though. Clean sweep on the tour please.<\/p>\n @GrahameMJones: Owen Farrell as captain does not sit well with me. Not good enough for selection to the original squad, brought in late! I\u2019m sure there are better squad captains \u2013 Jac Morgan for example!<\/p>\n Owen Farrell reveals who has been giving him the most \u2018grief\u2019 as he makes intriguing fourth Lions tour claim<\/a><\/p>\n @ChalynRugby: Owen Farrell to captain the Lions for the first time, with his dad Andy Farrell as head coach. Nothing says \u201cearned on merit\u201d like a good old-fashioned family business. The Lions are becoming a parody of themselves. Absolutely pathetic.<\/p>\n @NervousBreadVan: Lions head coach Andy Farrell has defended his decision to name a British and Irish Lions Test side with no Welsh player for the first time since 1896. But he has no compunction about bringing his son Owen in as a replacement.<\/p>\n @TimAlunWilliams: To those saying this isn\u2019t a slight on Jac Morgan, of course it\u2019s a slight on Jac Morgan. He\u2019s captain of his country, Owen Farrell wasn\u2019t even called up by England this summer, never mind the Lions.<\/p>\n @Gwynoro: Reading Farrell has given captaincy to his son-just plain favouritism. Owen has hardly played much rugby last 18 months. Yet in the team are 3 players who either are or recent captains of their country \u2013 George. Ryan and Jac Morgan. An insulting decision as well.<\/p>\n @TyBryer: Owen Farrell captain. Hahahah. Farce is this.<\/p>\n