Aussie Import Finlay Bealham ‘Shed Tears of Joy’ as First Lions Squad Announced for Argentina Clash

The British and Irish Lions have finally unveiled their squad.

Lions head coach Andy Farrell has included nine players from England in the starting lineup for their match against Argentina in Dublin on Saturday (AEST), with all three Australian representatives in the squad making the matchday 23.

England’s lock Maro Itoje will captain the team as they take on the Pumas, while the Australian contingent consists of Finlay Bealham (Ireland) starting as tighthead prop and Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland) occupying the outside centre position.

The third Australian, Mack Hansen (Ireland) from Canberra, is named among the reserves.

Bealham, who initially missed out on the touring squad, was called up to replace the injured Zander Ferguson.

“He was quite emotional, to say the least,” Farrell revealed during a team meeting, sharing a light moment with the Lions.

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“I can honestly say, lads, that was one of the most memorable conversations I’ve ever had, as I couldn’t reach everyone else to share the good news. The first person I could tell, due to Zander’s unfortunate injury, was Finlay.

“He had hoped he might play against Argentina due to other injuries, but I informed him that it wasn’t just for this game. I said, ‘You’ve earned your spot; you’re on your way to Australia.’ There was this silence, and then he released a wave of emotion.”

“It’s true, lads; we often have a laugh at each other’s expense, but this is what being a British and Irish Lion is all about. It turned out to be one of the most touching conversations I’ve had, and even I nearly got emotional.”

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England’s Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith have been chosen as the starting halves pairing.

Farrell shared some encouraging news regarding injuries, stating that his squad is in “good shape” amidst worries about several players’ fitness.

Ireland’s Tadhg Furlong, who missed his last match due to a calf injury, is listed among the reserves.

Halfback Jamison Gibson-Park is poised to return to full fitness next week; fullback Hugo Keenan began running again this week, and centre Huw Jones is back in full training.

Following the match against Argentina, the Lions will depart for Australia for a nine-match tour, which includes three Test matches against the Wallabies.

“I had an exercise a couple of weeks ago where I tried to select a possible Test team, and I’ve done it about five times since; it’s impossible because there’s such fierce competition for spots – and that’s how it should be,” explained Farrell.

Argentina’s first of 13 matches this year starts seven months after their previous game, a loss to France.

The upcoming clash marks their first meeting with the Lions since 2005, when they drew 25-25 in Cardiff before heading off to New Zealand.

Should they feature, three reserves will earn their first caps for Argentina: front-rowers Bautista Bernasconi and Boris Wenger, along with playmaker Simon Benitez Cruz.

– with AP

LIONS (15-1): Marcus Smith, Tommy Freeman, Sione Tuipulotu, Bundee Aki, Duhan van der Merwe, Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell, Ben Earl, Jac Morgan, Tom Curry, Tadhg Beirne, Maro Itoje (c), Finlay Bealham, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge

Reserves: Ronan Kelleher, Pierre Schoeman, Tadhg Furlong, Scott Cummings, Henry Pollock, Tomos Williams, Elliot Daly, Mack Hansen.

PUMAS (15-1): Santiago Carreras, Rodrigo Isgro, Lucio Cinti, Justo Piccardo, Ignacio Mendy, Tomas Bathrobe, Gonzalo Garcia, Joaquin Oviedo, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Pablo Matera, Pedro Rubiolo, Franco Molina, Joel Sclavi, Julian Montoya (c), Mayco Vivas

Reserves: Bautista Bernasconi, Boris Wenger, Francisco Coria Marchetti, Santiago Grondona, Joaquin Moro, Simon Benitez Cruz, Matias Moroni, Santiago Lamb