British & Irish Lions news: A backline of players not selected by Andy Farrell for Australia tour
Head coach Andy Farrell recently named his British & Irish Lions squad for the upcoming tour of Australia, and the Englishman had to leave out some noteworthy talent in the process.
Having looked at the forwards who did not make it onto the plane in a previous article, it is now time to turn our attention to the backs who did not make the cut.
After all, the cliché tells us that forwards decide who wins the game but backs decide by how much, and world rugby is most definitely in an attacking phase right now, highlighted by the style of new European champions Union Bordeaux Bègles.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Jacob Garrett picks seven backline players that would not look out of place Down Under.
Scrum-half – Ben White
Ben White has made a name for himself as one of the best kicking scrum-halves in the Northern Hemisphere.
During the recent Six Nations, the Scot completed the most total passes (412) and the second-most kicks in play (56).
Those stats highlight White’s ability to control and influence a game at the highest level.
Along with half-back partner Finn Russell, he forms part of a world-class combination and moreover allows the maverick fly-half the perfect platform to be his brilliant self.
However, with the Toulon man up against some stiff competition in Jamison Gibson-Park, Alex Mitchell, and Tomos Williams – and considering how late the Top 14 runs – you can certainly see Farrell’s rationale for leaving the Scot out, even if he remains a classy operator.
Fly-half – George Ford
Many were expecting to see Leinster youngster Sam Prendergast in the number 10 shirt for the Lions, but those who have watched George Ford since the Six Nations will understand why I have picked him over the Irish starlet here.
Often described as a ‘coach on the pitch’, the Sale Sharks fly-half has been an absolute general in the blue shirt lately, providing his trademark quality kicking alongside a new-found running game.
Cleverly using the movement of those around him, such as youngster Rekeiti Ma’asi-White or Springbok Robert du Preez, Ford tends to ghost through holes and put his wingers away on a free run to the whitewash.
Ultimately, his lack of game time for Steve Borthwick’s England squad probably rendered his Lions chances slim, but Ford’s experience would have been invaluable on tour, especially in tandem with Russell and assistant coach Johnny Sexton.
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Left-wing – Darcy Graham
Darcy Graham has been at the forefront of Gregor Townsend’s forward-thinking attacking style of rugby in the last while.
Despite being only 5ft 9in, the Edinburgh man can make something happen from nothing thanks to his elite speed and power.
He is also locked in a battle with Edinburgh teammate Duhan van der Merwe for the all-time Scotland top-scorer crown and currently trails by one try after 30 in 46 appearances.
Graham’s omission from Farrell’s squad caused a bit of an uproar in the Scottish fan base, it must be said, but that is to be expected given the speedster’s obvious talent.
Inside-centre – Owen Farrell
A true legend in the white shirt of England, Owen Farrell has accumulated 112 caps and been a driving force behind deep World Cup runs in 2019 and 2023.
His quality and experience at the highest level cannot be underestimated, regardless of form.
However, similarly to Ford, Farrell’s lack of recent game time with Racing 92 due to ongoing injury worries and form issues likely played a role in his exclusion from the Lions squad.
One really does have to admire father Andy’s ability to put his relation aside and view Owen based purely on current (poor) form, even if it does hurt.
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Outside-centre – Fraser Dingwall
It is perhaps not the best time to write about Fraser Dingwall, following a Champions Cup final performance in which he was bullied by his French opponents.
Yet, the way he has played for Borthwick’s England team this year and his showings leading up to that European final, especially against Leinster, make him a worthy contender.
Considered a ‘glue man’ for both club and country, the Northampton Saints’ captain is a true facilitator, providing a link between his half-backs and the Saints’ speedy back-three.
His ability goes beyond having ball-in-hand, though, as he offers some solid defensive work too.
An outside-centre by trade, Dingwall is used to being isolated out wide and targeted by the opposition, but he is excellent in not allowing his body shape to be manipulated until the ball is right at the line, thus providing a much more accurate read of the situation for the Saints man.
Despite some fans simply viewing him as a ‘bolter’, Dingwall would have been a solid option throughout the tour.
Right-wing – Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
A bit of a cheeky pick for this unselected team given his present absence due to shoulder surgery, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has a truly innate ability to break tackles and make ridiculous yards that would have massively benefited the Lions.
Speaking broadly, had he not been injured, the Exeter Chiefs star’s autumn form would have seen him walk right onto Farrell’s plane and probably start the Test matches.
Because if we are being honest, outside of Van der Merwe, Feyi-Waboso offers an X-factor that is distinctly in short supply.
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Full-back – Blair Murray
Blair Murray was a true shining light for Matt Sherratt’s Welsh squad in the Six Nations on account of his ability to manipulate space in open play and punish loose kicks.
Many may remember his wonder try that never was – jumping over a tackle attempt and running the length of the Principality pitch in a perfect illustration of his ability.
With only two out-and-out 15s chosen by Farrell and Marcus Smith coming in as extra cover, I would say that the Scarlets full-back should feel fairly disappointed by his exclusion.
If Warren Gatland had given him more of an opportunity in the early stages of the Six Nations, then maybe his chances would have been raised and we could have seen a true bolter on tour.
Unselected Lions XV
With a full line-up now completed, an interesting question arises: could a team of those left behind compete with or even beat the one Farrell has chosen?
Here is the unselected XV in full:
1. Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers/Wales)
2. Jamie George (Saracens/England)
3. Fin Baxter (Harlequins/England)
4. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs/Wales)
5. David Ribbans (Toulon/England)
6. Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh/Scotland)
7. Jack Willis (Toulouse/England)
8. Tom Willis (Saracens/England)
9. Ben White (Toulon/Scotland)
10. George Ford (Sale Sharks/England)
11. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh/Scotland)
12. Owen Farrell (Racing 92/England)
13. Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints/England)
14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs/England)
15. Blair Murray (Scarlets/Wales)
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