We’ll say this right now, Ian McGeechan is an absolute, dyed-in-the-wool Lions legend.
‘Geech’ has been there and done it on countless occasions with the Lions and his opinion on all matters related to the upcoming Test Series must be strongly considered.
That is what makes his comments about Owen Farrell starting as outhalf for the Lions this summer so monumental.
McGeechan has, in recent weeks, sided with Warren Gatland starting Johnny Sexton in New Zealand. He named him at 10 in his Six Nations team of the tournament and praised him for giving Ireland ‘real direction under the most intense situations’.
Still, Farrell played at inside centre for England during the Six Nations and was McGeechan’s player of the tournament. The Scot has spoken of the Lions incorporating both men in a starting XV but Farrell’s recent outhalf performances for Saracens have swayed him. In his latest Telegraph column, McGeechan writes:
‘So good has he become, so instrumental to Saracens’ play from the pivotal No. 10 spot, that I think Warren Gatland should now play him at fly-half in New Zealand.’
McGeechan had Gatland on his coaching staff for the Lions Tour in 2009 and still has the Kiwi’s ear. While Gatland is very much his own man, McGeechan swaying towards the Farrell camp may be an indication of where this selection will fall.
There was one moment in Saracens’ Champions Cup final victory over Clermont Auvergne that did not help Farrell’s case. He was unceremoniously bounced by Clermont flanker Peceli Yato in the lead-up to Nick Abendanon’s second half try.
Yato absolutely killing Owen Farrell there! Get out of the way!!! #ASMSAR #ChampionsCupFinal #Lions
— Jason Farrell (@Jay_farrell86) May 13, 2017
While he had an otherwise excellent game, the fend-off will have greatly interested the New Zealanders.
The first chance either Sexton or Farrell may get to stake a claim for that 10 jersey will be against the New Zealand Barbarians on June 3 but, with Saracens and Leinster both hoping to be in league finals on May 27, it may actually be Dan Biggar or Stuart Hogg [like in 2013] asked to start there for the warm-up.
The real tussle, one suspects, will take place away from the general public – on the training paddock. We’d pay the admission for just that.
