Andy Farrell Keeps Hope Alive for Lions Duo Ahead of Final Test
As the British & Irish Lions gear up for the third and decisive Test against Australia in Sydney, head coach Andy Farrell has made it clear that two of his key players—Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen—haven’t been ruled out just yet. Both have been sidelined due to injury, but Farrell is keeping the door firmly open, saying they’ll be given every chance to be fit for what could be a historic series win.
Now, neither of them is in the squad for the second Test in Melbourne, which makes sense given their current conditions. McCarthy is dealing with plantar fasciitis—a painful foot issue that’s tricky to manage—while Hansen is also nursing a foot injury he picked up during the Lions’ emphatic 48-0 win over the AUNZ Invitational XV. Despite those setbacks, Farrell isn’t sending them home. That alone speaks volumes. Injured players like Elliot Daly and Tomos Williams were sent back earlier in the tour, so when Farrell chooses to keep someone with the group, it usually signals they’re still in the mix.
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Talking about McCarthy, Farrell was honest. He admitted, “We don’t know,” when asked about a timeline for recovery. But the fact that McCarthy is being kept around, especially after such a strong showing in the opening Test—where the Lions beat the Wallabies 27-19—shows just how valuable he’s become to the squad.
Hansen, too, was very much in Farrell’s thoughts for the first Test before that foot injury ruled him out. The winger has been one of the standout performers on tour and still seems to be very much in contention for that final game, should he pass the fitness tests.
In the meantime, Farrell’s had to reshuffle. Ollie Chessum steps into the starting XV to cover for McCarthy, while James Ryan moves onto the bench. In the backline, Tommy Freeman and James Lowe continue as the starting wings, but there’s no shortage of cover with players like Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham also in the squad—though Graham is himself managing an injury.
So while nothing’s certain yet, the message is clear: if there’s a way to get McCarthy and Hansen fit in time for that crucial third Test, Farrell is going to find it. Their potential return could be a huge boost in what’s shaping up to be a thrilling finale in Sydney.
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