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British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell explains his squad decisions, including leaving out son Owen Farrell and selecting Saracens’ Maro Itoje as captain.
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I know you revel in the tough selections, but is there a sense of relief? Um, there’s a sense of excitement. Uh, as in we’ve got a team, you know, um, you know, when I first started with Lions duties, we were I was on my own and and trying to build it up. Um, from how we get to this point, there’s been a there’s been an interesting process, you know, trying to get the people on board that help you, uh, get a a plan together, a schedule together, and then ultimately it comes down to uh, today were those people that are going to bring that plan alive and the schedule alive, who can cope with it and own it, etc. And uh, and that’s the process that we’ve been through. and in front of a live audience for the first time. How did you find that? You were getting instant reaction as the names read out. It was great. I I really enjoyed it. Um I think it was nice and relaxed, a nice way of doing stuff to hear the fans uh cheering and the interaction with the players and past captains and it’s still going on in there for the for the live audience now as they speak to you. So, um it’s uh a fantastic way of doing it and uh uh I’m I’m sure they’ll do it again. Let’s start with your captain then. I wrote down what you’d said on stage before you bought Maro Maro out. You said the beacon, the leader, outstanding at his profession, but also at how he makes others feel. So tell us, why is Maro Toj the man for the job? Because of all that, because of all that, I wouldn’t I wouldn’t have said it if he if he wasn’t. um you know he he he leads it a good leader especially in this type of tour has to lead in in many many different sorts of ways by by his actions first and foremost because it’s very hard to follow if you don’t back up what it is that you’re saying and he definitely does that first and foremost but he’s also he’s a a calm influencing uh type of fell that uh that people will naturally follow um because he’s got a good manner about him, good way about him, but because he’s he’s able to um do it all himself as well, you know. So, uh he cares uh he’s got a feel for people in in general, but uh putting all that together with the performances that he’s had whilst being captain is is a nice package. Can you tell us about when you delivered the news to him because he shared a very funny funny story about an Irish phone number and a Wigan accent? an Irish phone number and a wicked accent. And um yeah, I was trying to do things the right way by knowing knowing what time Maro was going to finish training on Tuesday because I had to deliver the the uh the news to him, the good news to him on on Tuesday. So I wanted to know I phoned Mar call up the Sariss to find out when training was over asking could Marl miss training to be here today etc. But I wanted to make sure that he was away from his teammates so he could have some time alone to to think and reflect and etc. So I thought that’s going to be 3:00 and um and at 3:00 I was in the airport coming over here. Uh and I phoned him up and I I I soon realized that the signal wasn’t too good. Uh but he knew it was me cuz I said it was me. Uh I had to put the form down and ring him back. So to say it was a bit of an anti-limax. I’m sure at that stage you knew that I wanted to ask him some question anyway. So uh bit of an anti-limax but anyway we got there in the end. You talked about wanting people who can set standards. One person we know who can set standards is Owen. I wonder how close was Owen in terms of his involvement because his CV speaks for itself. Um how far off was it? the the experience and and all of that. And uh yeah, I think you you find it where uh people are at. And it’s it’s not just Owen. There’s a there’s uh um a few people in in the same board who are trying to find uh um themselves back to back to fitness, back to health, etc.
29 Comments
How does a lions coach choose a captain who he doesn't know and probably has hardly ever met? I always find this odd.
It’s set up like that to include him later. Look at the hate he was getting from England fans because he’s poor. Held the team back. Now imagine him being added in the original team. It would of all been negative and questions of why. He’s left him out initially then will drift him in later on.
10 seconds of a five minute video talking about what the title actually says
Not that I approve but watch this space am sure Owen may well be close to the top of the reserve call up list.
She is wearing a nice outfit with crap shoes.
He found it hard taking about his son. Must have been a tough decision
Be injuries and a chance of a call-up !
Yep, Owen will be let in through the back door along with some others even before the tour starts as some will get injured in the normal course of finishing the domestic season. And Itoje must the the only Lions captain to accept the accolade whilst wearing an earring – I bet the Aussies were amused by that.
He's all dressed up in a suit and she can't even put on nice shoes. We've really ditched standards in the UK.
He looks like a leprechaun, then again, he has Irish ancestry!!!
Name of hot blonde please? 🙏
He looks swole AF.
EXPLAINS nothing.
Perfect selection for Captaincy. Well done!
This is the New Zealand, South African, mongrel Lions! Lions must be British and Irish born and bred. So the British and Irish chameleons would be a better name.
This interview would have been so much better if the one doing the interviewing actually understood rugby.
So Andy were a 16-year old boy when he fathered Owen 😮
Andy Farrell is such a beautiful human being. When you hear him speak, he is always humble and very caring.
if father set his son as the captain; people will call favoritism.. not naming also a video? come on LMAO
Maro is captain because Doris is injured , 2nd choice
Clickbait.
Love the lions tour, this squad is full of monsters in backs & forwards. They will MINCE the Australians imo
Massively misleading title…..
CV speaks for itself. Come on love. Owen is not in form, no selection.
He has picked all the team on the strength of their performances and their form which is a perfect way to choose the players
The harsh reality is that there will be at least one person, if not more, who were named in that squad who won't travel due to injuries between now and then. Rugby is a brutal sport.
Wouldn't be surprised at all if Owen is on the plane the day the full squad departs for Australia.
Granted given the fact that Finn Smith os fairly new. M.Smith relegated to the bench and to 15. And Finn Russell hardly being a Andy Farrell type player. It wasnt out of this world for Owen to be picked. Especially with Tuipilotu being injured (yet still being selected). Bundi Aki being 35. I wouldnt be suprised if he gets called up if something happens to either of those five players. With neither Daly, Jones and Ringrose playing much rugby in general at 12.
To Andy Best wishes against Australia
Smith before ford HOW ford is in form of his life