Owen Farrell in doubt for British and Irish Lions' Test series against the All Blacks after suffering muscle injury in training
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Owen Farrell faces a race against time to be fit for the Lions' Test series after suffering a quad muscle strain in training.
The fly-half is considered THE key player for Britain and Ireland in the upcoming trio of matches against the world champion All Blacks.
But he pulled up lame today after being named on the bench to face the Maori All Blacks here on Saturday and Dan Biggar was promoted to the 23 instead.
Farrell, 25, was sidelined for a month back in 2014 with the same injury. If he does not recover in time, Johnny Sexton will wear the no.10 jersey, as he does against the Maori.
(Photo: Getty Images AsiaPac)
The news capped an eventful day for team boss Warren Gatland who announced tour captain Sam Warburton “will understand” if he is not selected for the First Test.
Gatland has named his skipper on the bench for Saturday in what is regarded as THE dress rehearsal for the Test series. But he was not prepared to offer the Wales star any guarantees about next week.
“One of the reasons we selected Sam as captain of the squad is that he is an absolute quality player,” Gatland said.
“But this tour isn't about Sam Warburton, it's about putting the squad first, and so if he's not involved in the first Test because of the performance on Saturday night he will fully understand that.”
(Photo: Rex Features)
(Photo: Sportsfile)
Peter O’Mahony wears the armband here in Rotorua, as part of the back row trio in pole position to start the series opener in Auckland a week tomorrow.
Sean O’Brien and Taulupe Faletau complete the triumvirate in a pack which has the look of a Test eight, with the exception of lock where Alun Wyn Jones is still favourite to get the nod ahead of Maro Itoje.
“Sam is well aware of the competition that is there at the moment,” Gatland added. “He fully understands that that loose forward trio went outstandingly well against the Crusaders.
“The challenge for them is to repeat it. And if they do it again, we'll make what we think is the right selection for the Test match.”
(Photo: PA)
(Photo: Rex Features)
NZ MAORI: J Lowe, N Milner-Skudder, M Proctor, C Ngatai, R Ioane; D McKenzie, T Kerr-Barlow; K Hames, A Dixon (capt), B May, J Wheeler, T Franklin, A Ioane, E Dixon, L Messam.
LIONS: L Halfpenny (Wales); A Watson (England), J Davies (Wales), B Te'o (England), G North (Wales); J Sexton, C Murray (both Ireland); M Vunipola, J George (both England), T Furlong (Ireland), M Itoje, G Kruis (both England), P O'Mahony (capt, Ireland), S O'Brien (Ireland), T Faletau (Wales).
Replacements: K Owens (Wales), J McGrath (Ireland), K Sinckler (England), I Henderson (Ireland), S Warburton (Wales), G Laidlaw (Scotland), D Biggar (Wales), E Daly (England).