LONG READ Why Andy Farrell's left-field call is an early Lions masterstroke

“I’m pretty chilled,” Andy Farrell joked, minutes before the British and Irish Lions squad was announced to the public. “My job is done.”

The Lions head coach had left the final squad debate with his assistants until as late as he possibly could. The Champions Cup and Challenge Cup semi-finals were the last chance for players to impress or, in the unfortunate cases of Sam Prendergast, Robbie Henshaw and Darcy Graham, slip back.

Farrell insisted the final tally of 38 players was something that happened organically. One could imagine the response of Lions bean-counters if the coaching group had organically settled on 46 players. Start crossing off names, lads.

The final selection produced a squad with few surprises. On average, most pundits and experts settled on 29 of the players that would make the squad. The headline-grabbing inclusion was Henry Pollock. Those fortunate to make the cut were Tadhg Furlong, James Ryan, Scott Cummings and Mack Hansen. The unluckiest to miss out were Jamie George, Ben Curry and Darcy Graham.

For anyone seeking clues if Caelan Doris was all set to captain before he badly injured his shoulder, against Northampton Saints, Farrell offered only one. Maro Itoje, he confirmed, had been called on Tuesday afternoon, two days before the announcement, and told he was captain. When Farrell was asked about Doris, he noted how “devastated” the Ireland captain was, before insisting no Lions decision had been made official until that Tuesday. We can all have our theories, but Farrell does not make a habit of sign-posting stories for the press.

In past Lions years, Warren Gatland openly fielded questions from reporters about players that missed the cut. In 2013, Simon Zebo (who was eventually called up) was name-checked while Jonny Wilkinson, we were told, had turned down the offer to tour. In 2017, Gatland sympathised with Donnacha Ryan and Garry Ringrose, while there was “a long and lively debate” that went against Dylan Hartley. In 2021, James Ryan was “unlucky” and the ‘toughest decision’ was to leave Johnny Sexton at home. Gatland and his coaches did not have “confidence Johnny Sexton could get through” what was going to be “a tough, physical tour” to South Africa.

There had been hope Farrell would prove more accessible than Joe Schmidt but he does what media duties are mandated, and little else.

Farrell has proved less forthcoming, even when he does not want to. On squad announcement day, he confided to Ugo Monye the hardest part of the selection process was being unable to let several players know just how close they came to making the plane. He focused on the players who had been picked, and gave only cursory comments when others – Owen Farrell, Prendergast, Graham and George – were mentioned. There was infinitesimal scope for break-out stories. That is why we were left with the big grins in new, red jerseys. Very little harrumphing. Multiple podcasts and YouTube feeds went live, and were left telling pleasant anecdotes and generally agreeing with each other.

Farrell is not averse to speaking with the media, but prefers to do as little as possible. Veterans in the Irish press pack have gone from Gatland and Eddie O’Sullivan holding court, to the genial Declan Kidney trying to keep everyone happy. Joe Schmidt arrived next and press appearances were more controlled. There had been hope Farrell would prove more accessible but he does what is mandated, and little else. Even Schmidt used to hold a press conference after major squad announcements. With Farrell at the helm, an email lands in your inbox, usually about 20 minutes after the squad has zinged about social media.

Farrell much prefers to be out in his tracksuit, conversing with coaches and going through plays with his men. He loves the team bonding aspect of rugby, especially when players and staff can get out of the country and away from the glare. This is evidenced by the mini caps in Faro, Portugal and Ireland undertaking a five-match tour to New Zealand in the summer of 2022.

Still, Farrell is savvy when it comes to getting a message out.

At the squad announcement, he said just enough about leaving “a couple” of squad spots open for players who proved their “form and fitness” in the closing weeks of the season.

It broke with Lions tradition. It was not something Gatland, Clive Woodward, Ian McGeechan or Graham Henry would have done. It was also a masterstroke.

Without expanding on the concept too much, Farrell eased the door open for a whole host of players. Anyone smarting over not getting the call was given a nudge. There is still hope. If any player was vowing to prove Farrell wrong, they have four weeks to do it.

For the media, too, it is manna. The selection debates could rage on. The predicted squads and Test XVs got another shot in the arm.

Do we need a blend of a player that can play a couple different positions? Is there a player that’s carrying a bit of an injury and might need to manage it within training?

Typically, the story grew legs. What began as two stretched to ‘the Dublin four’ and speculation Farrell would need more bodies for the send-off game against Argentina, on Friday, 20 June. Other outlets went all-out and suggested 10 players who could be on Farrell’s stand-by list.

All Farrell would offer on potential call-ups was this safe as houses observation: “It’s definitely going happen. It always does. Obviously, it depends what we need. Do we need a blend of a player that can play a couple different positions? Is there a player that’s carrying a bit of an injury and might need to manage it within training? Is there a guy that might be over for three weeks, but he’s definitely worth taking? Is it leadership that we need? We’ll see.”

The picture should become clearer with each weekend ticked off the club rugby schedule. From 9 June, Farrell is holding a week-long pre-tour camp in Portugal. There is the potential 22 of that initial Lions squad may unable to travel, due to club commitments. At present, here are the Lions players whose clubs are not going to be involved in the business end of their leagues.

• Tommy Freeman (Northampton)
• Alex Mitchell (Northampton)
• Fin Smith (Northampton)
• Henry Pollock (Northampton)
• Bundee Aki (Connacht)
• Mack Hansen (Connacht) *currently rehabbing an injured ankle
• Jac Morgan (Ospreys)

That, for now, is that. Seven players Farrell and his coaches can be reasonably confident will make it to Portugal. Barring Aki, it would be their first taste of the Lions experience. We also have a number of final squad inclusions making their way back from injuries – Hansen and Duhan van der Merwe (ankle), Zander Fagerson (calf), Sione Tuipulotu (chest) and Blair Kinghorn (knee).

As soon as Farrell raised the possibility of late additions to the squad, a rapid line was drawn to his son. Owen Farrell was concussed when attempting to tackle Lyon’s Mickael Guillard, four days before the squad announcement, and stood down from active duty.

Looking at that 38-man squad, it appears light in two areas – No. 8s and centres. The head coach may yet draft in a couple of experienced campaigners, in Farrell and Taulupe Faletau, to shore up his options.

“Owen Farrell is going to go on the Lions tour,” Monye insisted on the BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly podcast. “And I’m not even saying that as banter. I am absolutely convinced he goes on that tour.”

Andy Farrell has broken with squad announcement tradition by welcoming the core group through the front door, while leaving a key under the mat, out the back. Whether it is two, four, six or eight who eventually join the motley crew, the new Lions coach has kindly kept the content wheels churning.