B&I Lions get timely Test boost
UPDATE: The British and Irish Lions received a timely boost, just over a week ahead of their first Test against Australia.
Scotland fullback Blair Kinghorn was the source of the positive news, following a scan on a knee injury sustained against the Brumbies in Canberra on Wednesday.
The Lions medical team said in a statement they will “manage his return to training” over the coming days.
* Meanwhile, Ireland’s Jamie Osborne will join the squad to provide additional training cover.
Osborne is currently with the Ireland squad in Portugal and will arrive in Brisbane on Saturday to meet up with the squad.
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The news comes on the day of the team announcement for the tour fixture against a combined Australia-New Zealand team in Adelaide on Saturday.
Owen Farrell was named Thursday on the bench for the B&I Lions side to face the AUNZ XV.
The former England captain is set to end a period in the international wilderness as the B&I Lions continue their nine-game tour with their fifth warm-up on Saturday.
Farrell made the dash to Australia last week after being summoned as cover when utility back Elliot Daly broke his arm.
The 33-year-old, on his fourth Lions tour, earned the last of his 112 Test caps at the 2023 World Cup, and is coming off an underwhelming and injury-plagued season with French club Racing 92.
“He’s [Owen Farrell] the same as everybody else who has had to get up to speed pretty quickly,” coach Farrell said.
“I think the art at this stage of the tour is mentally being as switched on as you possibly can.
“There’s not much training that you can do. We’re at a captain’s run tomorrow and that’s the preparation for this game.
“All the other learnings are from the video of the games and that’s the nature of where we’re at.”
The Lions are unbeaten in four matches in Australia after wins over four Super Rugby sides, including 36-24 against Brumbies on Wednesday in Canberra.
