
Football
Share
Published 18:16 10 May 2025 BST
Updated 18:16 10 May 2025 BST

After the news that Lions head coach Andy Farrell had 'left the door open' for his son Owen to be called up, Sunday Times writer Stuart Barnes was not particularly pleased.
He took to X to write: "Shame....no form and as for Lions `experience', SCW belief in past it World Champs, the selection of BOD over Jon Davies was an awful error for the 2013 1st test and AWJ was past it in 2021. What has OF done to suggest he has what the Lions need?"
The tweet references the fact that Farrell has been not been in great form for Racing 92, while also not playing for England.
He counters the 'Lions experience' argument by referencing 2005 Lions head coach Clive Woodward and his decision to pick experienced but out-of-form players.
These are fair points, but Barnes made quite the error when stating that 'the selection of BOD over Jon Davies was an awful error for the 2013 1st test'.
Welshman Jonathan Davies did in fact start all three tests against Australia in 2013.
He played inside centre alongside Brian O'Driscoll in the first two tests, with O'Driscoll dropped for the third when Jamie Roberts returned to full fitness.
Furthermore, while he was past his best and not as good as the younger Welsh centres in 2013, BOD was still a world class operator.
And the Irish legend duly responded to Barnes' tweet, writing: "A touch inaccurate on some of the details Stuart!"
Explore more on these topics:

Reports from France say Ronan O’Gara has made up mind on next move
Well that’s that then….. No other head coach in rugby receives the same amount of speculation as La Rochelle head coach Ronan O’Gara. The most recent rumours were links to the head coach job at Leinster, with Leo Cullen leaving at the end of the season. However, reports from France have said that O’Gara is […]
Football
1 week ago
Live sport on TV in Ireland this weekend – Football, GAA and Rugby – August 21st-24th
The Prem is back! The Premier League is back this weekend, and so are we with our ultimate TV guide. Alongside the English footy, there’s League of Ireland, a heap of club GAA, and some rugby inter-pros. Enjoy the sport and a few pints! Football Friday, 21 August Saturday, 22 August Sunday, 23 August Monday, […]
Football
3 weeks ago
Peter O’Mahony has to check himself after passionate tirade against ref
Football