FARRELL ‘WILL BE FIT’:
Fly-half Owen will be fit to face All Blacks in first Test, says Gatland
OWEN FARRELL will be fit to start the first Test against the All Blacks on Saturday — and the latest indications are that he will wear the Lions No 10 shirt.
The England back missed the victory over the Maori two days ago in Rotorua after suffering a thigh strain in training.
The setback raised fears that the European Player of the Year may be ruled out of the series opener at Eden Park, Auckland, but that grim scenario appears to have been averted.
It is a major boost that one of the most influential members of the touring party is set to be available.
Warren Gatland confirmed as much after naming his team to face the Chiefs here tomorrow.
The Lions head coach said: ‘Yep. He could have played on Saturday. Had it been a Test match he would have played.
‘We just made a decision that it wasn’t worth taking that risk. It’s a quad strain that was very high and not on his kicking leg. It’s on his left leg. I’ve no doubt that he will be 100 per cent fit for the first Test. He will train tomorrow.’
Farrell’s absence from the side that played against the Maori All Blacks gave Ireland playmaker Johnny Sexton another chance to build confidence after a lateseason dip.
The Leinster stand-off’s resurgence has reignited calls for him to form a 10-12 alliance with Farrell, but the signs are that it will not happen.
‘We could go that way, we could change and do that during the match,’ said Gatland.
‘We’ve got an idea. There have been some good performances. The 12-13 combination of Ben Te’o and Jonathan Davies was pretty good. The balance was pretty good.
‘Ben Te’o’s done really well and has caused opposition teams problems. Jonathan Joseph against the Highlanders looked dangerous as well. And then we’ve got some choices at 10 and do we look at a Sexton-Farrell combination in terms of that distributing ability. We are creating chances, but we are getting in behind teams, too.’
On the back of a third successive victory by the Saturday team, the Lions’ Test line-up has taken shape. With Murray certain to start at scrum-half alongside Farrell, Te’o and Davies have earned the right to form a hardrunning centre partnership, while Leigh Halfpenny and Anthony Watson did enough against the Maori in Rotorua to secure backthree selection.
In backline terms, the uncertainty relates to the left-wing place. George North has, so far, been a pale imitation of the giant who illuminated the series victory over Australia four years ago. He has made little impact and appeared hesitant. Gatland admits he wants to see more from a player who could be one of the match-winning assets in the Lions ranks.
‘One of the things with George is to try and get 15 touches of the ball because it tends to make a difference,’ said the head coach.
‘I think he has done all right going forward. I’d like to see him get his hands on the ball a bit more and use some of that footwork and power that he has going forward.
‘We are going to have some quite lengthy debates in terms of finalising that back three. We know what potential he has, but he hasn’t quite fulfilled that at the moment. He is the sort of guy that can get a loose ball, make a break and can score from 60 metres. That’s the potential he has.’
The doubts surrounding North mean there are opportunities tomorrow for other wing candidates, especially Elliot Daly. England’s goal-kicking utility back has been challenged by Gatland to force his way into the Test team.
‘It’s a great opportunity for Elliot and I think he’s done pretty well,’ said Gatland. ‘Again, he hasn’t had a lot of space, a lot of chances or a lot of ball in open space.
‘With the small chances he’s had, he’s done well. He’s been accurate and he gives us a left foot if we want to play territory and exit.’ Up front, there is now clarity in most positions. Sean O’Brien has surely earned the right to be picked at openside flanker ahead of Sam Warburton, although the tour captain is likely to make the bench. The second row is an area of intrigue. Maro Itoje has performed so well that he has now edged ahead of Alun Wyn Jones in the race to partner George Kruis.
If Test selection goes to the expected script, four of the front five will be Saracens players. LIONS TEAM TO FACE CHIEFS: L Williams; J Nowell, J Payne, R Henshaw, E Daly; D Biggar, G Laidlaw; J Marler, R Best (capt), D Cole; I Henderson, C Lawes; J Haskell, J Tipuric, CJ Stander.