Australia vs Lions: The talking points from Farrell's bold first Test selection

Andy Farrell has named his 23-man British & Irish Lions squad for the First Test against Australia in Brisbane this Saturday, with several eye-catching decisions that reflect form, familiarity, and a clear strategic direction.

Here are all the talking points from the squad announcement to take on the Wallabies with some huge calls made throughout the team.

The biggest shock in the matchday 23 is the absence of Jac Morgan, who had been one of the standout performers during the warm-up games. Instead, Tom Curry has been selected at openside flanker, returning to the Test stage after injury.

Morgan’s omission means the Lions will field a Test squad without a single Welsh player for the first time since 1896, a remarkable historical milestone that underlines Farrell’s willingness to back form over reputation.

Farrell has opted for an all-Scottish midfield combination, naming Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones in the centres outside fly-half Finn Russell. The Glasgow Warriors duo bring proven chemistry at club and international level, offering balance in both attack and defence.

Russell’s inclusion highlights a clear preference for creativity and flair at No.10, as the Lions look to unlock Australia’s defence with ball movement and varied kicking.

One of the most talked-about decisions is at cover in the backline, where Marcus Smith has been preferred to Owen Farrell on the bench. Smith’s ability to cover multiple backline positions gives him the edge, while Farrell misses out on the squad entirely.

It’s a massive vote of confidence in Smith, who now has the chance to make a major impact late in the game.

Ireland provide eight starters and three replacements, continuing their dominance from the Six Nations into the Test arena. Key names include Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jack Conan and Hugo Keenan, while Jamie George, Andrew Porter and James Ryan strengthen the bench.

Farrell’s selections show a clear preference for cohesion, with the Irish core providing consistency across the spine of the team.

Highly rated 20-year-old flanker Henry Pollock also misses out, despite impressing in the early stages of the tour. Like Morgan, he falls behind more experienced options, as Farrell leans on players with Test credentials for the Brisbane opener.

Pollock remains in the wider squad and will hope to be involved later in the series.

Maro Itoje leads the side as captain, locking the scrum alongside Joe McCarthy. The Lions front five is completed by a powerful front row of Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong, while the back row of Curry, Beirne and Conan brings breakdown dominance and carrying threat.

The squad selection reflects a clear game plan: intensity at the set-piece, control at half-back, and strike runners out wide - all built around combinations that have delivered at the highest level.

Lions XV

Backs

• 15. Hugo Keenan

• 14. Tommy Freeman

• 13. Huw Jones

• 12. Sione Tuipulotu

• 11. James Lowe

• 10. Finn Russell

• 9. Jamison Gibson-Park

Forwards

• 1. Ellis Genge

• 2. Dan Sheehan

• 3. Tadhg Furlong

• 4. Maro Itoje (c)

• 5. Joe McCarthy

• 6. Tadhg Beirne

• 7. Tom Curry

• 8. Jack Conan

Substitutes

16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Bundee Aki.

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