Things did not look good for Blair Kinghorn when he left the field with a knee injury in the first half of the British & Irish Lions’ 36-24 victory over the Brumbies on Wednesday.
With Elliot Daly already ruled out, and fly-half Owen Farrell called up as his replacement, the Lions are looking threadbare in the full-back department, with Hugo Keenan the only out-and-out full-back remaining in the squad.
Marcus Smith can play there, as can Tommy Freeman and Mack Hansen, but Andy Farrell will now be looking for a recognised full-back as a replacement if Kinghorn is potentially ruled out of the rest of the tour.
Here are four options he should look at:
Fixture
British & Irish Lions
AUNZ XV
British & Irish Lions
Blair Murray
Much in the same way Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams (until his injury) have thrived on this tour playing in sides that are on top, their compatriot Blair Murray would surely relish the opportunity of being part of a team on the front foot.
One of Wales’ best performers during the Six Nations despite their poor form, the Scarlets full-back will provide expertise in that role, as well as versatility.
Freddie Steward
Seeing as Leicester Tigers’ Freddie Steward is no longer England’s starting full-back when everyone is fit, this may seem like a strange call, but he is fresh from a try-scoring display against Argentina, where his passing looked slicker than ever.
Farrell will also know the 37-cap Englishman provides world-class, if not world-best, high ball catching, which may be decisive come the Test series, particularly with the likes of Joseph Sua’ali’i in the Wallabies team.
Jamie Osborne
Much like Daly, Leinster’s Osborne provides versatility across the backline, and is looked on favourably by his Ireland coach Farrell.
But the call-up of Owen Farrell suggests the Lions desperately crave experience, and that is something the 23-year-old lacks with only eight caps to his name. With that said, one of those was a start at full-back in a victory over world champions South Africa in Durban in 2024.
Darcy Graham
Kinghorn’s countryman Graham was maybe the most unlucky back-three player to miss out on the original Lions squad, and would be a worthy selection.
Though Scotland’s second-highest try scorer is capable of playing at full-back, like a few members of the current Lions squad, it is not his favoured position, and that may work against him.
Tom Jordan
Another Swiss Army Knife of a back, Bristol Bears-bound Jordan can provide plenty of versatility in the backline, covering full-back, fly-half and the centres.
But, like Graham, he is not a specialist full-back when the Lions are in need of one.
