The Englishman made his mark immediately during the First Nations & Pasifika XV clash

12:47, 22 Jul 2025Updated 12:47, 22 Jul 2025

Tempers flare between British and Irish Lions’ Owen Farrell and First Nations and Pasifika XV’s Charlie Gamble (left)(Image: PA Wire)

Owen Farrell immediately made his presence felt during the British and Irish Lions’ clash with the the First Nations & Pasifika XV as tempers flared just minutes into the match in Melbourne.

Making his second appearance since being drafted in as an injury replacement, Farrell was at the heart of the action during the opening exchanges. The England fly-half, playing at inside centre on Tuesday, sprang into action early when Scotland wing Darcy Graham was taken out with a dangerous shoulder to the head from opposite number Triston Reilly, sparking a melee involving players from both sides.

Reilly was shown a yellow card for the illegal hit after barging Graham into touch, but not before Farrell rushed in to confront the Waratahs wing and defend his team-mate. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.

The Saracens playmaker’s response was swift and forceful, setting the tone and showing exactly why he remains a key figure in the squad—despite some eyebrows being raised over his late inclusion.

Farrell’s call-up had sparked controversy, not least due to his limited game time last season following injury and the fact his father, Andy Farrell, is head coach of the tour.

But the 33-year-old wasted no time in silencing critics, with many supporters praising his leadership and immediate influence.

“Say what you like about Owen Farrell, he looks after his own,” one fan posted on X, while another wrote: “Owen Farrell rushing across when Darcy Graham took that contact to the head is proper captain stuff!”

Another said: “Awful tackle on Graham that. Love that from Farrell tho, (sic) proper captaincy.”

Others hailed the veteran’s reaction as proof of his value to the squad. “That is why Farrell is captain… straight in there, not happy with that tackle… now his team will run through walls for him,” said one viewer.

Farrell went on to play a key role in the Lions’ fast start, setting up the opening try with a deft chip for Ireland’s Jamie Osborne. Moments later, Graham touched down for a second to put the tourists 14-0 ahead before later limping off in tears with a leg injury.

Reilly, meanwhile, returned from the sin bin to intercept a pass from Blair Kinghorn and score, reducing the deficit and continuing a chaotic first half that saw the Lions unsettled by their spirited hosts.

While the First Nations and Pasifika XV shaded the early exchanges, Farrell emerged as a clear leader on the pitch, with Wales and Lions great Sam Warburton believing he has a part to play in the final two Tests of the series.

“I’m going to pick up on something Will (Greenwood) said at the top of the show, where he thinks Owen will have minutes in this Test series — and I think he will,” Warburton said on Sky Sports at half time, analysing the incident.

“I completely agree. We are going to look at some of the evidence from today’s game from why that will be justified.

“Just when the game is getting a little bit loose, Owen puts a kick right up and you can see the territory gain. The Lions get a 40-metre gain.

“The Lions had a lot of errors and they needed some territory, so he pops the ball through again. Puts more pressure on them.

“Then you’ve got this lovely first-phase option, where he can play as a first receiver, he can carry if he has to, he can just pop the ball nicely as well.

“So when the game is going a bit mad, he just has those touches of game management. And I think the coaches will be really encouraged from seeing those and that can be a useful trait to have in the latter stages of a Test match in either game two or three.”