Owen Farrell’s latest appointment as captain of the British and Irish Lions for their final midweek clash in Melbourne has ignited a firestorm of debate across the rugby world. The 33-year-old, who is the son of Lions head coach Andy Farrell, is no stranger to scrutiny, but this week’s decision has taken online discussions to a whole new level. With the Lions set to face the First Nations & Pasifika XV on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, all eyes are on Farrell—not just for his leadership, but for what his selection says about the state of British and Irish rugby.
It’s been quite a journey for Farrell in 2025. Earlier this July, he was called up as a replacement for the injured Elliot Daly, a move that immediately raised eyebrows. Why? Farrell had missed the back end of the 2024/25 season with Racing 92 due to injury and hadn’t played any Test rugby since the 2023 Rugby World Cup. He’d just rejoined Saracens, aiming to rediscover his form, when the Lions beckoned. His first appearance came off the bench during the July 12 win over the AUNZ Invitational XV in Adelaide—an outing that, while brief, signaled his return to the big stage.
But it’s the captaincy that’s really set tongues wagging. On Monday, September 8, Lions assistant coach Simon Easterby stepped up to defend the decision, telling the media, “You look at the team and the experience he has in that, it’s pretty clear and obvious why he is the skipper.” Easterby’s confidence, however, hasn’t been enough to quell a wave of criticism online. Social media platforms have been abuzz with fans labeling the move as “pathetic,” “insulting,” and even “a farce.”
Some of the most pointed criticism centers on perceived nepotism—after all, Owen is Andy Farrell’s son—and the fact that other established leaders, like Wales captain Jac Morgan, were passed over. One fan on X (formerly Twitter), @ChalynRugby, didn’t mince words: “Owen Farrell to captain the Lions for the first time, with his dad Andy Farrell as head coach. Nothing says ‘earned on merit’ like a good old-fashioned family business. The Lions are becoming a parody of themselves. Absolutely pathetic.”
Others, like @GrahameMJones, questioned the logic of bringing in a late replacement as captain: “Owen Farrell as captain does not sit well with me. Not good enough for selection to the original squad, brought in late! I’m sure there are better squad captains – Jac Morgan for example!” The theme of favoritism echoed throughout the online commentary, with @Gwynoro adding, “Reading Farrell has given captaincy to his son—just plain favouritism. Owen has hardly played much rugby last 18 months. Yet in the team are 3 players who either are or recent captains of their country – George. Ryan and Jac Morgan. An insulting decision as well.”
Still, not everyone is up in arms. Some fans have come to Farrell’s defense, arguing that his experience—48 times captain of England and 112 England caps—makes him uniquely qualified. As @TrueBlueFooty put it, “As an Ireland fan, I don’t understand people’s issue with Farrell being captain; he’s captained England 48 times and is clearly very respected within the squad. Only other contender is Jac Morgan, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see him come off early to be fresh for the Test.”
Farrell himself has remained calm amid the storm. Speaking to Sky Sports on September 10, he made it clear that his main focus is on re-establishing himself at Saracens, rather than worrying about the England Test side or the online chatter. “I’m going to get myself back playing well for Saracens and enjoying myself. We’ll see where we’re at,” he said. His comments reflect a player who, after stepping away from international rugby post-2023 World Cup to prioritize his and his family’s mental health, is working hard to find his best form again. Farrell’s year-long stint in France with Racing 92 ended early so he could return to Saracens on a two-year deal, and he’s wasted no time getting back into the groove. “I’ve only been back in a week,” he shared. “I had a good break after the [Lions] tour; some of the lads are still away, but we had a good pre-season trip to South Africa [to play the Sharks] and now building into the first game against Newcastle, which should be a cracker.”
Despite the controversy, Farrell’s rugby résumé is hard to ignore. He’s the first Lions player to win two Test series and has been part of four Lions tours. His leadership, both on and off the pitch, has been praised by teammates and coaches alike. Yet, the circumstances of his call-up—coming off injury, lacking recent Test match play, and being the coach’s son—have made this particular captaincy a lightning rod for debate.
Farrell hasn’t ruled out a return to the England Test squad, but he’s adamant that club form comes first. “Well I’m going to get myself back to playing hopefully well for Saracens and enjoy myself and see where we’re at,” he reiterated to Sky Sports at the BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am at Wentworth. He also made it clear in June that he’s “not retired” from England duty, but is taking things one step at a time. “This time dealing with myself and having time to reflect on myself has just made me more clear on what I want, what I want to be, how I want to be, and I’m working towards that,” Farrell explained.
Meanwhile, the Lions’ tour rolls on. The upcoming match against the First Nations & Pasifika XV isn’t just another fixture—it’s a test of the squad’s unity and resilience in the face of public scrutiny. The fact that Farrell will lead the side, despite all the noise, sets the stage for a fascinating encounter. Will his experience steady the ship, or will the critics be proven right?
Regardless of the outcome, Owen Farrell’s story this summer is one of resilience, scrutiny, and the never-ending debate about what makes a true leader in rugby. As the Lions prepare to take the field in Melbourne, the rugby world waits to see if Farrell—and the team—can rise above the controversy and deliver a performance worthy of the famous red jersey. For now, the action is ongoing, and the final judgment will have to wait until the dust settles.
