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Andy Farrells calls in second Irishman into Lions in as many days
By Ian Cameron
Andy Farrell has added a second Ireland international to his British & Irish Lions squad in the space of 48 hours, calling up Leinster tighthead Tom Clarkson as front row cover ahead of the First Test against Australia.
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The 25-year-old joins utility back Jamie Osborne, who linked up with the squad earlier in the day in Brisbane following the Lions’ arrival from Adelaide.
Clarkson, a former Ireland U20 standout, has broken into the Leinster’s senior squad over the course of the last two seasons and has won eight senior caps for Ireland to date.
He scored against Portugal on Saturday as Ireland ran 106 points past their hosts in Lisbon. Clarkson is the third Ireland player Farrell has called up to the tour following on from Osborne and fellow Ireland tighthead Finlay Bealham.
The the Dublin-born frontrower gets the nod ahead of Sale Sharks’ Asher Opoku-Fordjour, who is currently with England in Argentina but who trained with the Lions in Portugal prior to their departure to Australia.
It brings to 18 the total number of Irish players on the tour.
He comes in to bolster Farrell’s front row stocks following a bruising five-match unbeaten tour run across Western and Eastern Australia, suggesting one of the Lions’ tightheads may be carrying an injury.
A Lions statement confirmed: “The British & Irish Lions touched down in Brisbane today ahead of the First Test of the 2025 Qatar Airways Lions Series at the Suncorp Stadium on Saturday. […] Ireland and Leinster Rugby tight-head prop Tom Clarkson will also join the squad to provide additional front row cover.”
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Also en route is England and Saracens hooker Jamie George, who is expected to link up with the squad from Argentina in the coming days.
George will provide cover following the injury to Sale Sharks hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie.
Farrell’s side arrive in Brisbane unbeaten on Aussie soil after wins over the Western Force (7-54), Queensland Reds (12-52), NSW Waratahs (10-21), ACT Brumbies (24-36) and the AUNZ Invitational XV (0-48), played across 14 days in five different cities.
The Lions face Australia in the opening Test at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
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