Andy Farrell explains why Marcus Smith beat Owen Farrell to a Lions spot

Heading into the British and Irish Lions squad announcement on Thursday, there was a definite, a probable and then a host of contenders vying for the three fly-half slots.

Scotland’s Finn Russell was nailed on, and had been for weeks. Following his accomplished display in Dublin for Northampton Saints in the Investec Champions Cup semi-final against Leinster, Fin Smith nudged his way from a possible to the next most likely playmaker to join Russell in the squad.

That left Owen Farrell, George Ford, Marcus Smith, Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley in a scramble to join the pair Andy Farrell describes as ‘Finn and Fin’ on the plane to Australia.

The picture slowly began to take shape as Ieuan Evans read out the squad list at Indigo at the O2 Arena. He passed C on the alphabetical list- that was Crowley out. Elliot Daly’s name leapfrogged to Tommy Freeman’s- that was Owen Farrell and Ford struck off.

Fixture

British & Irish Lions

Australia

19 - 27

Full-time

British & Irish Lions

All Stats and Data

Alex Mitchell became Garry Ringrose- Prendergast was gone. Suddenly the picture was becoming crystal clear. Then, conveniently, all three fly-halves emerged. Finn Russell’s name was followed by Fin Smith’s, with Marcus Smith following immediately after. It may have been the surprise of it all, but the Harlequin’s name was met by the biggest cheer from the crowd.

Marcus’ name may have caught out many in attendance, as, after all, he has seen his England No.10 jersey slip from his hands this year, having to settle for the bench or full-back.

While that looked like a death knell for his Lions chances, it is ultimately what worked in his favour when it came to selection.

“If you look at Finn and Fin, two genuine fly-halves that play a fantastic brand of rugby,” Andy Farrell said when assessing his fly-half options, before adding: “Marcus, being 10/15 or 15/10, that type of blend is important.”

Versatility is invaluable on a Lions tour, but Owen Farrell is equally adept at playing in a No.12 jersey as he is a No.10, then has a further 112 England caps and three Lions tours to his name to help his case.

As the crowd filtered out of the arena, Owen’s name could be heard among the murmurs. He may not have experienced the ideal debut season with Racing 92, capped recently by a head injury in the Challenge Cup semi-final defeat to Lyon, but he may be the ultimate ‘Test-match animal’.

And Andy Farrell knows that. He conceded that his son “was in the conversation, obviously, an experienced player like that.”

But Lions tours offer only a small window of opportunity. Players must peak at the right time, and the head coach admitted that the adductor injury that wiped out two months of his season played a part in his decision-making.

According to Andy, Owen is “still trying to find his way back to fitness” following the injury, but did not close the door on the 33-year-old making his fourth tour.

“There’s 38 picked, which leaves a couple of slots open for us,” he added, dangling the hope to Owen, and any other players that narrowly missed out, that things might just work out if they end their seasons well.