Owen Farrell in line for Lions tour debut against AUNZ XV: reports

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British and Irish Lions Owen Farrell warms up during the captains run in Canberra on July 8.

PHOTO: AFP

CANBERRA – Owen Farrell is set to play against a combined Australia-New Zealand side at the weekend, reports said Wednesday after his controversial call-up for the British and Irish Lions.

The former England captain made the dash to Australia on Friday after his father, Lions coach Andy Farrell, summoned him as cover when utility back Elliot Daly broke his arm.

It raised eyebrows with the 33-year-old earning the last of his 112 Test caps at the 2023 World Cup, and on the back of an underwhelming and injury-plagued season with French club Racing 92.

The BBC and Sky Sports said the flyhalf was in line to play against an AUNZ invitational side on Saturday after taking part in his first full training session in Canberra on Tuesday.

Former Ireland No.10 Johnny Sexton, the Lions’ kicking coach, said he had fitted in seamlessly since arriving.

“As you’d expect with someone with that experience, he’s fitted in. He’s hit the ground running, so it’s great to see,” Sexton told Sky.

“He must have had the playbook on the plane on the way over because he came in and he’s not missed a beat. He’s been on top of things in training and that’s exactly why you pick someone with experience who knows about a Lions tour because it might take someone else 10 days to fit in.”

Farrell, who is on his fourth Lions tour, announced last month he was returning to