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Owen Farrell showcases good and bad in Lions audition in front of dad Andy

Paul Boyle of Connacht is tackled by Owen Farrell of Racing 92 during the EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-final match between Connacht and Racing 92 at Dexcom Stadium in Galway. (Photo By Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Owen Farrell gave British & Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell plenty to think about in Galway, producing a mixed display as Racing 92 edged a chaotic 43–40 Challenge Cup quarter-final win over Connacht.

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With injury having interrupted his debut season in Paris and Racing struggling for consistency in the Top 14, the 32-year-old arrived at Dexcom Stadium under pressure to make a statement.

In front of his father and Lions selector, Farrell did just that — for better and worse.

Introduced in the second half with the game in the balance, Farrell contributed a calmly struck drop goal off the post and helped manage Racing’s lead as they pulled 15 points clear with a quarter of an hour to play. But his momentum was halted by a yellow card five minutes from time for a no-arms clearout on Shane Jennings, which helped Connacht back into the contest.

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Paul Gustard on potential “signing of the season” Owen Farrell

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      Paul Gustard on potential “signing of the season” Owen Farrell

      Coach Paul Gustard is full of praise for Racing 92 signing Owen Farrell

      This was a match Connacht will look back on with deep regret.

      Points Flow Chart

      Racing 92 win +3
      Time in lead
      46
      Mins in lead
      33
      58%
      % Of Game In Lead
      41%
      79%
      Possession Last 10 min
      21%
      12
      Points Last 10 min
      0

      With a man advantage for much of the contest and a 21-5 lead in the opening quarter, they appeared in control, only to be outscored and outmuscled by a Racing side that never panicked and showed real forward dominance despite being a man down.

      Wame Naituvi’s try had briefly cancelled out Bundee Aki’s early effort, but his high tackle on Finn Treacy in the 13th minute saw referee Christophe Ridley award a penalty try and show a red card.

      Connacht, through the outstanding Cian Prendergast, took their opportunities to build scoreboard pressure and went into the break ahead thanks two tries from Prendergast, although a composed finish from Racing centre Josua Tuisova clawed it back to 28–24 just before half-time.

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      But the visitors, even scrummaging with just seven men, found momentum. Hooker Diego Escobar and scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec had both crossed in the first half, with Le Garrec adding a second after the interval to swing the game back in Racing’s favour.

      Brought on in the 47th minute for Dan Lancaster, Farrell immediately helped to settle Racing’s attack. His drop goal clipped in off the right-hand post and pushed the French side into a 37–28 lead.

      Le Garrec added two further penalties to extend the advantage to 43-28.

      But Connacht kept swinging. Ben Murphy exploited a tired Racing defence to break clear for a try, which was followed by Farrell’s sin-binning in the 76th minute, a reminder that despite his storied career, discipline remains a weakness.

      Paul Boyle and Cathal Forde then combined to set up a dramatic final play, with Forde crossing for a try in the 79th minute.

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      Hanrahan converted to make it 43–40.

      Racing, down to 13 thanks to Farrell, kept their nerve to close it out.

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      MT 14 days ago

      Connacht squad depth is not strong enough to challenge for trophy’s. This is unfair to their supporters who turn out to see them on a regular basis. They could attract bigger crowds for big games, but they need a stronger squad. Hanging on to older players who don't contribute enough isn't going to get them on the podium. They should be able to contend for the challenge cup at least.

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      E
      Eliza Galloway 9 minutes ago
      Geoff Parling: An Englishman roasting the Lions?

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      44 Go to comments
      J
      JW 42 minutes ago
      James O'Connor, the Lions and the great club v country conundrum

      Lol you need to shoot your editor for that headline, even I near skipped the article.


      France simply need to go to a league format for the Brennus, that will shave two weekends of pointless knockout rugby from their season and raise the competitions standards and mystique no end.


      The under age loophole is also a easy door to shut, just remove the lower age limit. WR simply never envisioned a day were teams would target people under the age of 17 or whatever it is now, but much like with Rassie and his use of subs bench, that day was obviously always going to come. I can’t remember how football does it, I think it’s the other way around with them, you can’t sign anyone younger than that but unions can’t stop 17 or 18 yo’s from leaving for a pro club if they want to. There is a transaction that takes place of a few hundred thousand for a normal average player. I’d prefer rugby to be stricter and just keep the union bodies signoff being required.


      What really was their problem with Kite and co leaving though? Do we really need a game dominated by Internationals? I even think WR’s proposed calendar might be a bit too much, with at minimum 12 top tier games being played in the World Championship. I think 10 to 12, maybe any one player playing 10 of those 12 is the best way to think of it, for every international team is max, so that they can allow their domestic comps to shine if they want, and other nations like Japan and Fiji can, even some of the home nations maybe, and fill out their calendar with extra tours if they like them as a way to make money. As it is RA don’t have as good a pathway system, so they could simply buy back those players if they turn good. Are they worried they’ll be less likely to? We wait for baited breath for the new season to be laid out in front of us by WR.

      It could impose sanctions on the Fédération Française de Rugby, but the body which runs the Top 14 and the ProD2, the Ligue Nationale de Rugby, is entirely independent.

      It’s not independent at all. The LNR is a body under, and commissioned by, the FFR (and Government control) to mediate the clubs. FFR can simply install a new club competition if they don’t listen, then you’d see whether the players want to stay at any club who doesn’t tow the line and move to the new competition, as they obviously wouldn’t fall under the auspice of world rugby. They would be rebels, which is fine in and upon itself, but they would isolate themselves from the rest of the game and would need to be OK with that. I have no doubt whatsoever that clubs would have to and want to fall in line to remain part of the EPCR and French rugby. Probably even the last thing they would want is to compete with another French domestic competition that has all the advantages they don’t.


      All those players would do good for a few seasons in France, especially the fringe ones, with thankfully zero risk of them being poached if they turn good. New Zealand had a turn at keeping all of it’s talent, and while it upticked the competitiveness of the Super Rugby teams into a total dominance of Australian and South African counterparts (who were suffering more heavily than most the other way at that stage), it didn’t have as positive an effect on the next step up as ensuring young talents development is not hindered does. Essentially NZR flooded the locate market with players but inevitably it didn’t think the local economy could sustain any more pro teams itself, so now we are seeing a normal amount of exodus for the availability of places again. Are Australia in exactly the same footing? I think so, finances where dicey for a while perhaps but I doubt they are putting money constraints on their contracting now. It’s purely about who leaves to open up opportunity.

      58 Go to comments
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      Colin Friels 2 hours ago
      Is the All Blacks captaincy right for Scott Barrett?

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      7 Go to comments
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