Today's rugby news as call for Jac Morgan made amid new twist and Owen Farrell dismissed

Today's rugby news as call for Jac Morgan made amid new twist and Owen Farrell dismissed

The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world

Jac Morgan in action for the Lions (Image: 2025 Getty Images )

Here are your rugby headlines for Wednesday, July 23.

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Barclay calls for Morgan Test involvement

Former Scotland captain John Barclay has called for Jac Morgan to be involved in the second Lions Test in Melbourne, with injury in the camp now set to give him an opportunity.

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Morgan missed out on the opening weekend, with Tom Curry tearing it up in the seven jersey, with Ben Earl the back-row option named on the bench.

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While Morgan has typically played the full 80 minutes in recent weeks, some supporters had their interest piqued when the Ospreys captain was taken off after just 50 minutes in the win over the First Nations & Pasifika XV in Melbourne yesterday.

And Barclay believes Morgan should be named among the replacements against the Wallabies on Saturday, to address the issues they seem to be having at the breakdown.

"I would bring in Morgan," Barclay said on Sky Sports after the match. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.

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"I think the breakdown has been a consistent issue throughout the tour. It was interesting to hear Kurtley Beale say they want after it again today.

"I think he has done so much positive. I think he does so much good and adds so much value."

Ollie Chessum is now expected to replace Joe McCarthy in the Test team for the match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday, with the Irishman having not trained all week after being taken off in the first Test.

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That potentially opens up a spot on the bench for another back-rower. With Morgan having been taken off earliest in the game yesterday, it could be surmised that he is likeliest to take that spot.

Owen Farrell's Test chances dismissed

Former England fly-half Stuart Barnes has praised Owen Farrell’s contribution in the British and Irish Lions’ win over the First Nations and Pasifika XV—but insists the veteran playmaker should not feature in Saturday’s second Test against Australia.

Writing in The Times, Barnes described Farrell’s performance in Melbourne as “tidy,” highlighting a clever left-footed kick that led to Jamie Osborne’s early try and a well-executed dummy to send Duhan van der Merwe over.

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He also praised Farrell’s trademark leadership after his forceful reaction to a dangerous hit on team-mate Darcy Graham sparked a touchline melee. Sam Warburton also praised the Saracens man for the same reasons.

However, Barnes argued that Farrell, who played at inside centre but frequently stepped in as first receiver, remains far from Test selection material.

“He’s a No. 10 masquerading as a 12,” Barnes wrote. “In two less-than-outstanding games he has been more than personally adequate. If the Lions wanted him in Australia for two midweek games, Andy Farrell’s decision has been a definite success.”

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But Barnes went on to underline a crucial issue: Farrell's continued absence from goalkicking duties. The former England captain has not taken a kick at goal during either of his tour appearances, with his long-standing groin injury appearing to limit his ability from the tee.

With Fin Smith and Marcus Smith both misfiring from the tee and Finn Russell firmly established as the Test No 10, Barnes believes Farrell's case for inclusion in the matchday 23 rests solely on his kicking. Without that weapon, he argues, the former stalwart is unlikely to feature in the Wallabies rematch.

“Neither Fin, nor Marcus Smith, kicked well in Farrell’s two Lions outings but not once did the former great kicker signal for the kicking tee," he added.

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"More than any other reason, Farrell’s claim to cover for the outstanding Finn Russell — were he to be injured — revolves around his old kicking credentials," he added.

"An out-of-form Farrell on the bench? Maybe. A non-goalkicking Farrell? Forget it."

He concluded: “Come full-time, he seemed further than ever from being a likely part of the Lions Test 23."

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Kurtley Beale calls for FNP XV to become regular fixture

Kurtley Beale has called for the First Nations & Pasifika XV to be given more opportunities to take the field after their impressive showing against the British and Irish Lions in Melbourne.

The composite side pushed the touring Lions closer than any Super Rugby franchise so far, falling narrowly short in a 24-19 defeat at Marvel Stadium on Tuesday night. Captained by Beale at fly-half, the team rallied from 14-0 down to threaten a major upset in front of a vocal home crowd.

Speaking after the game, Beale said he hoped the concept would grow to mirror that of the Māori All Blacks, who regularly play against top-tier international opposition.

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“Absolutely. I’m thinking bigger picture here,” said Beale. “For the next generation, for the young Pasifika and First Nations kids in Australia, this jersey, this emblem, represents them.

“If you look at the Wallabies now and in the past, there has been a lot of Pasifika and First Nations representation at that level, and to be able to bring talent through and create pathways for those kids is what it is all about.”

Beale, who last played for the Wallabies in 2021 and has 95 caps to his name, kicked two conversions and led the team with composure in what was a fiercely contested match.

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“This is a fantastic concept and it needs to continue,” he added. “Whether that’s warm-up matches for the Wallabies in years to come, or building up to a game against the Māori or the All Blacks—whatever it is, I think big picture and it’s definitely needed in our game.”

Beale emphasised that the week had been about much more than rugby, describing the experience as a deeply personal and cultural moment for the players involved.

“It’s been a really special week for everyone involved,” he said. “To be able to represent your family name, your culture, it’s a really special experience.

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“To come together in a short amount of time and share stories about where you come from—we all kind of found that we came from similar backgrounds. That was a powerful moment and allowed us to connect, and I think that showed in the performance tonight.”

The Lions remain unbeaten on their tour, but Tuesday’s spirited display left a lasting impression—and a call for change that could reshape the rugby landscape in Australia.

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