Ex-Lions legend hits out at controversial Owen Farrell squad selection by dad Andy

BIGGEST CALL YET

BIGGEST CALL YET, PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE, ONE OF THE GREATS, TOUGH TIME AT RACING, DAD'S DECISION, EX-LION'S IRE, BIGGAR'S DOUBTS, NOT SEEING 'THE SENSE', IMPACT ON REST OF THE SQUAD, RISK V REWARD, FORMER GLORY

Andy Farrell has made his biggest call yet as he has called up his son and former England International Owen Farrell to the British and Irish Lions squad following an injury sustained by Elliot Daly. Pic: Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images

PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE

BIGGEST CALL YET, PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE, ONE OF THE GREATS, TOUGH TIME AT RACING, DAD'S DECISION, EX-LION'S IRE, BIGGAR'S DOUBTS, NOT SEEING 'THE SENSE', IMPACT ON REST OF THE SQUAD, RISK V REWARD, FORMER GLORY

Farrell, 33, has been a part of three previous Lions tours dating back to 2013 and has had an illustrious career with Saracens, winning three Champions Cup, six Premiership titles and a Grand Slam as well as a World Cup final with England. Pic: David Rogers/Getty Images)

ONE OF THE GREATS

BIGGEST CALL YET, PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE, ONE OF THE GREATS, TOUGH TIME AT RACING, DAD'S DECISION, EX-LION'S IRE, BIGGAR'S DOUBTS, NOT SEEING 'THE SENSE', IMPACT ON REST OF THE SQUAD, RISK V REWARD, FORMER GLORY

It’s not outrageous to say that Farrell is one of the best English players of all time and has been one of the best British and Irish players in the last decade. However his major dip in form since 2023 and now inclusion in the Lions squad has caught the ire of many. (Photo credit MICHAEL BRADLEY/AFP via Getty Images)

TOUGH TIME AT RACING

BIGGEST CALL YET, PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE, ONE OF THE GREATS, TOUGH TIME AT RACING, DAD'S DECISION, EX-LION'S IRE, BIGGAR'S DOUBTS, NOT SEEING 'THE SENSE', IMPACT ON REST OF THE SQUAD, RISK V REWARD, FORMER GLORY

Farrell had by far the worst season of his career just gone as he had a disastrous spell in Paris with Racing 92. Racing and their star-studded squad languished in the bottom half of the Top 14 table for much of the season and Owen Farrell missed out on most of it as he dealt with numerous injury issues - before cutting his contract short to return to Saracens. Pic: Franco Arland/Getty Images

DAD'S DECISION

BIGGEST CALL YET, PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE, ONE OF THE GREATS, TOUGH TIME AT RACING, DAD'S DECISION, EX-LION'S IRE, BIGGAR'S DOUBTS, NOT SEEING 'THE SENSE', IMPACT ON REST OF THE SQUAD, RISK V REWARD, FORMER GLORY

Owen's Lions inclusion has been the source of a lot of outrage online and it seems that many people don’t agree with Andy Farrell’s decision to include his son. Photo by Steve Christo/Sportsfile

EX-LION'S IRE

BIGGEST CALL YET, PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE, ONE OF THE GREATS, TOUGH TIME AT RACING, DAD'S DECISION, EX-LION'S IRE, BIGGAR'S DOUBTS, NOT SEEING 'THE SENSE', IMPACT ON REST OF THE SQUAD, RISK V REWARD, FORMER GLORY

Ex-Lion test starter Dan Biggar has now spoken with Sky Sports about the decision and made his views clear that it doesn't make sense for Owen Farrell to be brought in as a replacement for utility back Elliot Daly. Pic: Ashley Vlotman/Sportsfile

BIGGAR'S DOUBTS

BIGGEST CALL YET, PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE, ONE OF THE GREATS, TOUGH TIME AT RACING, DAD'S DECISION, EX-LION'S IRE, BIGGAR'S DOUBTS, NOT SEEING 'THE SENSE', IMPACT ON REST OF THE SQUAD, RISK V REWARD, FORMER GLORY

Ex Wales international Biggar said: 'I mean it’s big news and I’m struggling to get to grips with the sense of it. I mean no one is doubting the amazing character and amazing player with the career he has had but he hasn’t played test rugby in over two years. He hasn’t played any kind of competitive rugby in the last couple of months, eight or nine weeks and the person he’s replacing he doesn’t play any of the same positions.' Pic: Ian Cook - CameraSport via Getty Images

NOT SEEING 'THE SENSE'

BIGGEST CALL YET, PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE, ONE OF THE GREATS, TOUGH TIME AT RACING, DAD'S DECISION, EX-LION'S IRE, BIGGAR'S DOUBTS, NOT SEEING 'THE SENSE', IMPACT ON REST OF THE SQUAD, RISK V REWARD, FORMER GLORY

He added: ‘I’m just struggling to get to grips of where the sense of it is. Is Andy Farrell missing some leadership in amongst the team? Does he need some strong characters? Does he think that if it’s a drawn series going into the final weekend he needs people who have been there and done it before?’ ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

IMPACT ON REST OF THE SQUAD

BIGGEST CALL YET, PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE, ONE OF THE GREATS, TOUGH TIME AT RACING, DAD'S DECISION, EX-LION'S IRE, BIGGAR'S DOUBTS, NOT SEEING 'THE SENSE', IMPACT ON REST OF THE SQUAD, RISK V REWARD, FORMER GLORY

Biggar also highlighted what effect this could have on the other fly-halves on tour. Scot Finn Russell (pictured) is still expected to be a test starter barring injury but the likes of Marcus Smith and Fin Smith could feel that their spot is in jeopardy following Farrell’s call-up. Pic: INPHO/Billy Stickland

RISK V REWARD

BIGGEST CALL YET, PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE, ONE OF THE GREATS, TOUGH TIME AT RACING, DAD'S DECISION, EX-LION'S IRE, BIGGAR'S DOUBTS, NOT SEEING 'THE SENSE', IMPACT ON REST OF THE SQUAD, RISK V REWARD, FORMER GLORY

Biggar then added: ‘I have to say it smacks a little bit for me of a lot of risk in this play and not a huge amount of reward in terms of you have Marcus and Fin Smith [pictured] in there, where do they feel they sit in the pecking order? Or when they go an close the bedroom door and turn their lights off at night what are they thinking? Are they thinking ‘Oh he’s coming in to replace me?’ There’s lots of options in those positions and it just feels like to me that it doesn’t really make sense.’ Pic: Alex Davidson - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images

FORMER GLORY

BIGGEST CALL YET, PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE, ONE OF THE GREATS, TOUGH TIME AT RACING, DAD'S DECISION, EX-LION'S IRE, BIGGAR'S DOUBTS, NOT SEEING 'THE SENSE', IMPACT ON REST OF THE SQUAD, RISK V REWARD, FORMER GLORY

Farrell is however now the only member of the squad who knows what it is like to win a Lions tour, having done so in 2013 the last time the Lions toured Australia.  Pic: Dan Mullan - The RFU Collection via Getty Images

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