Make your British & Irish Lions first Test picks: Should Owen Farrell make 23? Does Henry Pollock start? Should Marcus Smith be on bench?
Updated 09/07/2025 at 12:29 GMT+1
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British & Irish Lions fever is growing with the first of three Tests against Australia looming into view. Andy Farrell's decision to bring son Owen into the squad has sparked huge debate, with many wondering what his role will be: driving standards in camp, or a potential inclusion in the first matchday squad? Here's your chance to have your say on the big decisions.
Can Pollock 'do a Rooney' on Lions tour down under?
Video credit: TNT Sports
The first Test between the British & Irish Lions and Australia is just days away.
There is a huge amount of intrigue over the composition of the XV - and indeed the 23 - for the clash at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.
The arrival of Owen Farrell into the squad has caused media commotion, but what has it done among the playing personnel?
And with injuries continuing to affect form and fitness, how does coach Andy Farrell play his cards?
It is time for you to play boss for a day and make your calls on all the burning questions...
The Farrell conundrum
Andy has summoned his son Owen down under, but it is still unclear what he has been brought in for.
Is he there to lead the midweekers as he rediscovers his best condition after two months without a game? Or can he make a run for the Test bench?
Has Pollock done enough?
England's young gun Henry Pollock has shown glimpses of what he is about so far, but saw his momentum stall when being ruled out of the encounter with the Waratahs due to a calf complaint.
Pollock, on the bench for the ACT Brumbies game, appears likely to be in and around the matchday 23 against the Wallabies in Brisbane - but has he done enough to start?
Smith to fill Daly void?
Elliot Daly was a huge loss for the Lions, with his tour ending with a fractured forearm suffered against the Queensland Reds.
Ben Kay, himself a former Lion back in 2005, expanded on the problem Daly's exit has given Farrell.
"I don’t think there is much of a worse person for Andy Farrell to lose than Elliot Daly, not necessarily because of his playing prowess, but he was such a useful part of his jigsaw in terms of selection," Kay told TNT Sports.
"It would have allowed him [Farrell] to focus solely on having a 9 and 10 replacement on the bench, rather than thinking about what positions the 10 could cover in terms of whether they play centre, or whether you have Marcus Smith there covering full back and 10, or do you need a 9 with enough pace to be able to slot in on the wing?"
Could Smith do what Kay suggests, and provide a versatile, game-changing option from the bench?
What about the back three?
It is another area of uncertainty for Lions fans, let alone the coaches.
The aforementioned Daly has gone home, Hugo Keenan has been out injured, and Blair Kinghorn only arrived in Australia on July 1.
Kinghorn went off injured against the Brumbies, so will he be fit for the first Test? And with Scotland compatriot Duhan van der Merwe seemingly down the pecking order, who will join him in the back three?
Tommy Freeman has been a standout so far with his all-action style, and Ireland's James Lowe could join him on the other wing.
But will that be enough to cause the athletic Wallaby backline problems?
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