Bealham gets Lions call-up as Fagerson replacement
Finlay Bealham, the experienced Connacht and Ireland prop, has officially been called up to the British and Irish Lions squad. This comes after Scotland’s Zander Fagerson was forced to withdraw from the upcoming Australia tour due to a calf injury. Bealham, now 33 years old, steps into the squad with an impressive record of 51 caps for Ireland and two Six Nations titles under his belt. His addition means there are now 16 Irish players in the Lions camp, including his Connacht teammates Mack Hansen and Bundee Aki.
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Next Stop: Portugal Training Camp
The Lions are currently based in Dublin but are set to head to Portugal for a pre-tour training camp starting tomorrow. After that, they’ll return to Dublin next week to prep for their big opener against Argentina at Aviva Stadium in what’s called the 1888 Cup. It’s crunch time as the tour draws near, and the coaches are keen to get things moving on the training pitch.
Farrell Speaks on Late Change
Lions head coach Andy Farrell acknowledged that it’s a tough break for Fagerson, missing out so close to the tour, but said that Bealham’s experience will bring great value to the squad. “Injuries are part of the game,” Farrell noted, “so we always have to be ready. Now it’s about getting onto the field and getting to work.” He also stressed the importance of the Portugal camp to get everyone aligned before the first match.
Extra Boost from Premiership Players
Some players involved in the upcoming Leinster vs. Bulls URC final and the English Premiership final will remain with their clubs until next week. In the meantime, England’s Jamie George and Asher Opoku-Fordjour will also be joining the Lions in Portugal for training. George, a seasoned Lions tourist, brings veteran leadership, while Opoku-Fordjour, who made his England debut last November, adds fresh energy.
Aungier Steps Into Ireland Squad
In a separate move, Connacht’s Jack Aungier has been drafted into the Ireland squad for their July Tests against Georgia and Portugal. The 26-year-old tighthead, who played for Emerging Ireland during last year’s South Africa tour, also trained with the national team during this season’s Six Nations. It’s another chance for him to stake a claim on the international stage.
