John Barclay makes concerning Owen Farrell observation despite Test spot calls

Heading into the British & Irish Lions’ clash with the First Nations & Pasifika XV, captain Owen Farrell was probably the player in the best position to work his way into the Test squad given his pedigree, and after a poor team performance in victory, that was still the case after the final whistle.

Whether it was Sam Warburton at half time, John Barclay, Dan Biggar or Ronan O’Gara at full time, there were plenty of former internationals and Lions calling for Farrell’s inclusion for the second Test against Australia at the MCG, where the visitors will be looking to clinch the series.

A head injury to Marcus Smith, who was on the bench for the first Test, in the final 10 minutes of the match only boosted the 2013, 2017 and 2021 Lions tourist’s chances of playing on Saturday.

O’Gara said the Englishman is “in flow mode” when speaking on Sky Sports after the match, adding “he offers so much”. Warburton said at half time that the “touches of game management came from Owen Farrell,” adding after the final whistle that “it does seem like it was part of the masterplan that Owen Farrell would come in and he would feature at some point in the Test series.”

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Biggar did question where Farrell would fit in on the bench given Andy Farrell’s relationship with Bundee Aki, but said: “it could have been so easy for him on this tour to try and force his hand. He’s done nothing flash, but he’s done some really basic stuff that has just made the team tick.”

Former Scotland captain John Barclay did make one observation, though, that the 112-cap England international has not kicked from the tee yet this tour.

“It’s interesting, we’ve not seen him kick on this tour,” the Scot said. “I don’t know if he’s able to kick. He’s obviously had that problem with his groin and didn’t kick a lot at the end of the season.”

Marcus Smith took on the kicking duties in Farrell’s first appearance on tour against an AUNZ Invitational XV, while Fin Smith kicked in the most recent performance.

Both are accomplished Test kickers, but Farrell is not the second-highest point scorer in Test history for no reason. Part of the reason many want him in the Test squad is because of his reliable kicking under pressure, so it is curious why probably the best kicker in world rugby over the past decade has not kicked off the tee yet this year.

Biggar did add that it is likely Finn Russell will play 80 minutes if he remains fit, meaning Farrell will probably be used at inside centre should he be selected on Saturday. But in the event that the Scot has to leave the field early, it will be interesting who the kicking duties fall to.