Beirne backs Farrell to boost Lions after controversial call-up

New South Wales Waratahs v British and Irish Lions

Venue: Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Date: Saturday, 5 July Kick-off: 11:00 BST

Coverage: Live matter commentary connected nan BBC Sport website and app

Owen Farrell's presence connected circuit will assistance nan full British and Irish Lions squad, says flanker Tadhg Beirne.

Farrell, 33, has been called up to switch nan injured Elliot Daly, but lacks shape and lucifer fittingness aft an injury-interrupted play astatine French broadside Racing 92.

The determination by caput coach Andy Farrell, Owen's father, to place nan likes of Scotland's Tom Jordan and Darcy Graham, has attracted criticism.

But Beirne, who will skipper nan Lions successful their lucifer against nan New South Wales Waratahs connected Saturday, says Farrell's activity and acquisition of 3 erstwhile tours will fortify nan visitors up of nan Test bid against Australia.

"He's only going to bring immoderate superior value to nan squad, truthful we're looking guardant to inviting him successful present and getting to bent retired pinch him," said Beirne.

"Any type of activity is only going to heighten nan squad. Playing pinch him 4 years ago, I've seen each nan activity qualities that he brings, nan value of his talent arsenic well. It's going to do thing but boost nan squad, for sure."

Daly, on pinch skipper Maro Itoje and prop Tadhg Furlong, was 1 of 3 players successful nan first squad to person played connected 2 erstwhile tours.

He is nan 2nd subordinate to time off nan circuit injured aft Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams pulled a hamstring while diving successful to people a effort successful nan triumph complete Queensland Reds.

Beirne said that England backmost Daly had signed disconnected successful style.

"Gutted to spot him go," said Beirne.

"We knew because he came successful connected Wednesday evening and showed everyone nan x-ray and we knew his circuit was complete astatine that point.

"He's been specified an invaluable subordinate for nan Lions. Elliot really sewage to denote nan squad which was a very cool moment. Something that astir apt hadn't been done before.

"He did it successful emblematic Elliot fashion. He brought a spot of craic to it arsenic well. It was a bully measurement to spot him off."

Scotland centre Huw Jones is nan only subordinate successful nan line-up to look nan Waratahs to person besides started nan triumph complete nan Reds 3 days before.

"That is nan eventual extremity for everyone present – to play successful those Tests and nan only measurement to do that is to play good successful each these games starring up to it," added Beirne.

"If you are not producing successful these games you are not giving yourself a fighting chance. Everyone has to put their champion ft forward."

The Lions will person only 2 much circuit games – against nan Brumbies and an invitational Australian and New Zealand XV connected 9 and 12 July respectively – earlier their first Test against nan Wallabies connected 19 July.