Garry Ringrose reckons Owen Farrell is the full package after experiencing the former England captain on the pitch for the first time this week. The pair linked up in midfield for 63 minutes in Tuesday’s night’s 24-19 win for the Lions over a First Nations & Pasifika XV in Melbourne – the first time they had played together.
Ringrose met Farrell when he pitched up in Australia as a replacement for Elliot Daly nearly three weeks ago and the Irishman now knows exactly why he was parachuted into the tour. And he revealed how Farrell, captain in Tuesday’s game, got the squad together in the couple of days after the first Test in Brisbane for the Pasifika clash – then delivered on the pitch having a hand in three tries.
The 30-year-old Ringrose said: “I wouldn’t want to isolate just one thing. From the off, his leadership in the week. It was a challenging turnaround from the first Test, then you’re travelling, then your captain’s run.
“He didn’t miss a beat in terms of that leadership and bringing players with him. Even the guys coming in, the challenge of new guys into the environment, and getting guys up to speed, he was leading that.
“When he talks, everyone listens. What he’s saying is the right pitch and hits the spot every time, and I could feel it out on the pitch there as well. That’s not even talking about the rugby side of things.
“Then there is his ability at the line because he’s that kind of 10/12 with the physicality at the line when it’s needed. What else? The work rate to take the ball to the far edge, then off the ball his work rate to then be the link player for Duhan van der Merwe to score on the other edge. In big moments, he’s someone who consistently delivers and he delivered.”
Tuesday was Ringrose’s first action since the 36-24 win over the Brumbies on 9 July when he went the full 80 before experiencing delayed concussion symptoms a day later.
The 12-day standdown scuppered his chances of playing in the first Test in Brisbane, where he was in the running to start after good early tour form, but he is back to full fitness and was flying in tandem with Farrell on Tuesday night.
He explained: “The medics and coaches are very supportive, and probably after that something wasn’t sitting right. Then I spoke with the Doc and I didn’t quite feel right so we made a call to enter the protocol and do what the medics and Andy Farrell wants. It’s a tough decision to make but they only want what’s best for the player, so it is nice having that support.
“I guess it’s the nature of the beast. If you weren’t dealing with that little battle there’s some other little battle that someone’s dealing with. Everyone has their own story that they’re trying to do themselves proud for their teammates, and family, so we’re all in the same boat in that regard.”