The latest rugby news strories from the Lions tour and beyond
Here are your rugby morning headlines for Wednesday, July 16.
Odds-on Lions first Test team named
The Lions players were today due to be told the side to take on Australia in Saturday’s first Test. It comes as the odds-on Lions team has been named by bookmakers ahead of Andy Farrell’s big announcement on Thursday.
While a number of positions in the starting Test XV are undoubtedly close calls, a clearer picture is emerging based on fans’ predictions and bets being placed. The coaches have remained tight-lipped over the past 48 hours, insisting on Tuesday the players were unaware of the side.
However, the 15 favourites to take the field are all currently odds-on, with Jac Morgan down the pecking order in the back row. Jack Conan (1/3), Ollie Chessum (4/6) and Josh van de Flier (8/13) are the favoured three, with Morgan priced at 5/4 and also behind Tom Curry, who is believed to be an Andy Farrell favourite and could yet trump them all by starting at seven.
The front row consists of Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan (1/33) and Tadhg Furlong, with Joe McCarthy partnering Maro Itoje in the second row.
Jamison Gibson-Park (1/7) and Finn Russell (1/10) are massive favourites at half-backs, with Huw Jones (1/7) and Sione Tuipulotu (1/6) the expected centre partnership.
Hugo Keenan, James Lowe and Tommy Freeman are clear favourites in the back three.
Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “Many spots still appear to be up for grabs in the Lions’ first XV ahead of their first match against Australia on Saturday, not least in the back-row where Ollie Chessum, 4/6 from 13/2 pre-tournament, has been a big mover since Saturday’s win over the AUNZ invitational side.
“Joe McCarthy has also made a strong case to partner Maro Itoje in the second row, and he’s now odds-on at 4/6 after some physical and efficient displays on tour.
“Along with Itoje of course, Dan Sheehan (1/33), Jamison Gibson-Park (1/7) and Finn Russell (1/10) should all get the nod, while Scotland look like filling the centres with Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones at 1/6 and 1/7 respectively.
“The battle for a spot in the back-row is really interesting, with seven candidates all in contention and priced between 1/3 in the shape of Jack Conan to 11/4-shot Henry Pollock.”
Tensions mounts in Lions camp
Ireland No. 8 Conan says the British and Irish Lions squad have been feeling the tension ahead of the team announcement for the first Test this weekend.
The Lions coach told the playing squad on Wednesday who would be involved in a meeting, with that then being relayed to he public on Thursday
“Everyone will be a bit nervous, but everyone has gone incredibly well, especially in the back row,” said Conan – a likely Test starter at the back of the scrum.
“It’s tough for the coaches, I’m sure, and hopefully we’ve given them plenty of headaches over the last while. No matter who’s been out there, they’ve taken their opportunity really well.
“It’s about those lads who get to run out at the weekend to do right by the lads who aren’t playing.
“It’s going to be unbelievably special to play the first Test so hopefully everyone can make the most of it.”
As mentioned above, Chessum and Curry seem likeliest to partner Conan in the back-row – but Farrell does have considerable options in the position.
“There’s huge amounts of class and talent in the back row. It’s been great to get to know the lads, to learn off them, to see how they do things and to push each other on as well,” Conan added.
“That level of talent pushes everyone on to be your best and I think everyone has been at their best. No one can say they’ve been poor over the last few weeks.
“Especially in the back row, the standard has been unbelievably high, so it’s been a joy to play with the lads and get to know with them.”
Ospreys sign Wales squad member
The Ospreys have announced the signing of Wales squad member Efan Daniel from Cardiff.
The 22-year-old toured Australia with Wales last summer. Although he didn’t win a cap on that tour, he did come off the bench in the uncapped victory over the Queensland Reds in Brisbane.
Daniel has made 24 appearances for Cardiff, but leaves the Arms Park amid tough competition with Wales hookers Evan Lloyd and Liam Belcher.
“I’m really happy to have joined the Ospreys,” said Daniel about his move to the Ospreys. “The boys and coaches have been great since I got here and have all made me feel welcome, it’s like I’ve been here for a few years instead of a couple weeks.
“The Ospreys were the team I watched the most growing up, so I’m looking forward to putting on the black jersey and making an impact wherever I can.”
Ospreys head coach Mark Jones added: “Efan is a player we have admired from afar for a while so it’s exciting to have him as part of our setup.
“We’ve got a good blend of youth and experience at hooker which is highly important with it being such a specialised position. We feel we’re in a really strong position in our front row now and set up well for the season ahead.”
Holland takes WRU role
Former Cardiff Rugby chief executive Richard Holland has reportedly taken up a role with the WRU.
Holland stepped away from his job at the Arms Park when the club entered administration back in April.
The WRU took over Cardiff, with The Daily Mail report now reporting Holland “will be supporting the WRU where he is working on a number of projects”.
As part of the Union’s assumption of control, it was confirmed in April that Holland, as an employee of Cardiff Rugby, had been transferred by the WRU’s new subsidiary.
The news comes after a major announcement from the WRU that radical change is coming to the game in Wales.
In a statement on Monday, the governing body announced it intends to implement a seismic restructuring of the professional game in Wales for the 2027/28 season, which could see the number of professional teams reduced.
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