Andy Farrell, the British and Irish Lions head coach, has told supporters to cut out the “nonsense” negativity surrounding Owen Farrell after handing the former England captain a bombshell call-up.

Owen Farrell will fly in to replace Elliot Daly, who suffered a fractured arm in the 52-12 victory against Queensland Reds on Wednesday night.

Andy Farrell revealed that the Saracens playmaker will primarily cover inside centre and expects the 33-year-old to compete for a starting Test place. He also dismissed concerns around his fitness having not played since suffering a concussion for Racing 92 in May.

The selection will nevertheless garner considerable controversy given his lack of form and absence from international rugby. Owen Farrell stepped back from England duty citing mental health reasons after an unhappy experience at the 2023 World Cup, where he was booed by sections of his own supporters. He subsequently moved to Racing 92, but lasted just a single season before returning to Saracens after an injury-hit campaign in Paris.

As Ireland head coach, Andy Farrell forcefully denounced the “disgusting circus” after his son’s red card for a high tackle in a World Cup warm-up match against Wales. However in spite of that negative experience, Andy Farrell called upon all Lions fans to rally around the team.

Alex Corbisiero, Owen Farrell and current Wallabies assistant coach Geoff Parling with the Tom Richards Cup in 2013.

“Look, I hope people can get past that [negativity],” Andy Farrell said. “There has been a lot of that nonsense for some time. That was in the past. We all just need to move on and embrace what the Lions is all about and what we have got coming ahead.”

Owen Farrell is due to arrive into Sydney on Friday night with the Lions, who have made 14 changes to their starting XV, facing the NSW Waratahs on Saturday. The Lions have just two further warm-up games: against the Brumbies in Canberra on Wednesday before taking on an invitational Australia and New Zealand side on July 12 in Adelaide.

Andy Farrell says that Owen will be involved “soon enough” but made clear he was coming to compete for a place in the three-Test series against the Wallabies that begins on July 19 in Brisbane.

“If he didn’t have a chance then what is the point, everybody should be competing – that is what everyone in the group would want,” Farrell said. “It’s what we need for the squad in the here and now with Elliot going and Blair [Kinghorn] coming in, the options we’ve got at 15, there are plenty of options we’ve got at 13, and wing etc.

England’s Owen Farrell playing against the Wallabies in 2022.

“A little bit vulnerable there in and around the 12 piece and obviously he can play 10 as well. When you look at the experience that Elliot’s had… I mean the experience: it isn’t just the playing side, it’s how you make the group feel. The little chats that you have around the place to make sure that everything’s gelled together and obviously Owen would bring a lot of that into the group.”

Andy Farrell paid tribute to Daly, who announced the team to face the Waratahs to the squad on Thursday night, as “somewhat of a Lions legend” having been involved in the tourists past 11 matches over two tours. Andy Farrell says that Owen had “no hesitation” in accepting the call-up despite the toxicity that occasionally enveloped his involvement with England.

“Well, the timing has to be right for him, first and foremost, for him and for the squad,” Andy Farrell said. “And we obviously feel that the timing is right now, that we can all move on and push on, not just with Owen’s career, but what we’re trying to achieve here with the Lions.”

Asked about his son’s reaction to being called up for a fourth tour, equalling a tally held by the likes of Alun Wyn Jones, Brian O’Driscoll and Willie John McBride, Andy Farrell said, “Well [he] didn’t cry like Finlay [Bealham]. I suppose that’s what happens when it’s your fourth tour. He’s delighted like everyone else. It was just a short conversation and he said, ‘Yep, okay, I’ll get ready, I’ll get packed, ready to go’.”

Elliot Daly of the British & Irish Lions makes a break against the Reds

While Owen Farrell has not played since suffering a concussion for Racing in the Challenge Cup semi-finals against Lyon, he has passed his return to play protocols and Andy Farrell says his experience as a 112-cap England international outweighs his lack of fitness and form.

Asked if it was a ‘hell of an ask’ for Owen to get up to speed 20 months after his previous Test match in the 2023 World Cup bronze medal match against Argentina, Farrell said: “20 months? A Test match? There’s plenty of players who don’t play for quite some time. There are players who didn’t play in this Six Nations, or didn’t play for 12 weeks [on this tour].

“‘Well, that’s hopefully what experience gives you, isn’t it? He’s the right man at this moment in time for us. We know how much he looks after himself and prides himself on keeping in good nick anyway. I suppose at this stage there are plenty of players who haven’t played for quite some time and experience – knowing what you can do – helps in that regard.

“He’s fit or else he wouldn’t be picked. I know that the guys have been keeping close touch with him and others in regards to that and he’s been training full bore for quite some time now. He’s been on with the doctor in the last couple of weeks and gone through all the protocols etc. There might be a little bit of something to do when he first comes back, but everyone’s up to speed with where he’s at; fully fit and raring to go.”

Andy Farrell also stated that the other fly-halves in the squad - Finn Russell, Fin Smith and Marcus Smith - would welcome Owen Farrell’s arrival. “We have said from minute one that the only thing we want is competition and I think you can see that anyway,” Andy Farrell said. “That is what they expect.”

Telegraph, London

KOROIBETE JOINS ANZAC SQUAD AS KISS LAUDS KIWI POWER

Incoming Wallabies coach Les Kiss says the power of experienced All Black stars in the Australia and New Zealand Invitational side will help combat the Lions, as Marika Koroibete was confirmed as a starter for next week’s tour game.

After months of speculation and player withdrawals – including Richie Mo’unga and Michael Hooper – the AUNZ side is slowly taking shape ahead of the clash with the Lions at the Adelaide Oval on July 12.

Kiss is the AUNZ head coach, with former All Blacks coach Ian Foster an assistant. And Foster’s work on the New Zealand front has seen six players with a total of 81 All Blacks caps named so far.

All Blacks centre and Crusaders captain David Havili is a prize capture, while 33-cap back-rower Shannon Frizzell, Shaun Stevenson, Ngani Laumape, Folau Fakatava and Joshua Fusitu’a will also suit up.

After initially looking to recruit Japan-based stars, Rugby Australia have opted to use the fixture to give more game time to Australian players from the Wallabies squad and Super Rugby sides.

RA revealed the first three Australian players on Thursday, with Koroibete, Pete Samu and Brandon Paenga-Amosa all named.

David Havili of the Crusaders leads the team out for the Super Rugby final.

Koroibete, the two-time John Eales medallist who is still playing in Japan, missed selection in the 36-man Wallabies squad last month but will be able to mount a case for a possible mid-series call-up.

Adelaide Oval was the scene of one of Koroibete’s most famous moments as a Wallaby, when he helped secure victory against the world champion Springboks in 2022 with a try and a freakish cover tackle on Makazole Mapimpi.

Samu is returning to the Waratahs next season after a stellar year with French club Bordeaux, who won the European Cup in May but went down to Toulouse in the Top 14 grand final at the weekend.

Paenga-Amosa was a regular with the Wallabies last year but missed the initial 36-man squad last week.

Marika Koroibete produced a spectacular try-saving tackle to deny Makazole Mapimpi.

Speaking after the Reds’ defeat in Brisbane on Wednesday, Kiss said the injection of some Kiwi power would be helpful against the Lions in Adelaide.

“The All Blacks will bring probably that extra bit of power you need – that power and speed,” Kiss said.

“It’ll be a short week’s prep, but they all know how to play footy. We don’t want to make it too complicated. We just let them play on a base plan that we have, and then let them play footy.”

Wallabies centre Hunter Paisami said he was keen to play for the AUNZ side if given the opportunity. He said Havili was desperately unlucky to not get picked for the All Blacks after an outstanding year for the Crusaders.

“David Havili is quality player - I thought he was unlucky to not make the All Black squad, because I think he was the best 12 in the world,” Paisami said.