**Farrell Names New British & Irish Lions Captain While Welsh Players Face Gruelling Training Ahead of Japan Tour**
In a fresh shake-up to the British & Irish Lions squad, Andy Farrell has confirmed a new name at the helm for the side’s opening fixture in Australia this summer. Dan Sheehan, the Irish hooker, will take on the captaincy in what marks both his Lions debut and first time leading the tourists. With Maro Itoje given a break for the forthcoming clash against the Western Force, the responsibility now falls to Sheehan, signalling Farrell’s faith in the emerging leadership group within the team.
The Lions are set to take on Western Force on Saturday, with Farrell making sweeping changes to the line-up. Only two survivors have been retained from the team that lost to Argentina last Friday, an indication perhaps of the coaching staff’s intent to explore their squad depth. Notably, scrum-half Tomos Williams is promoted from a bench role in Dublin to a starting berth in Perth, while England’s Henry Pollock has also been named in the starting XV. The substantial alterations highlight a desire to manage player workloads and assess combinations early on in the tour.
Addressing the media, Farrell expressed confidence in the squad’s preparation, saying, “We’ve had a positive week of training, adapting well to both the travel demands and time zone changes. I’m delighted for Dan Sheehan, who fully deserves the honour of leading the side against Western Force. It’s a proud moment for him and his family.” Farrell also acknowledged the challenge presented by the Super Rugby outfit, recognising that fixtures against the Lions tend to inspire strong performances from local teams.
Meanwhile, on the Welsh rugby front, intense preparation has been the order of the day as the national side gets ready for their two-Test series in Japan. Wales loosehead prop Gareth Thomas has spoken out on the punishing conditioning regime instigated by the team’s coaching staff, which now includes revered former props Adam Jones and Gethin Jenkins. “It’s been a brutal block of training, but incredibly productive,” Thomas revealed. The Welsh players have even been training in heat chambers, designed to mimic the expected sweltering humidity in Japan at this time of year.
Thomas elaborated on the physical demands, admitting, “You really go to the well in those sessions. The heat chamber training can see you lose up to three kilos of fluid, so hydration becomes absolutely critical. The sessions are tough, certainly, but it’s gratifying to see the effort the whole squad is putting in—everyone’s completely dialled into the challenge ahead.”
With both Jones and Jenkins on the coaching staff for the summer, Thomas reflected on the influence of these Welsh rugby icons. “Having Adam Jones, ‘Bomb’, around has been wonderful for us front rowers, particularly when it comes to scrum time. He’s among the best scrum coaches I’ve ever worked with. Meanwhile, Gethin naturally brings an extraordinary mindset as one of the greatest loose-heads Wales has ever produced. Even just being around these two legends is inspiring, and their advice is helping lift everyone’s performance.”
Looking ahead to the challenge, the Welsh prop is realistic about what awaits. “Defensively, we’re preparing for a big test in Japan. A lot comes down to sheer effort, and we know we’ll need every ounce of it.”
Elsewhere, the legacy of past Lions tours continues to motivate the current crop of players. Tommy Freeman, who has joined this year’s squad, noted the lasting impression made by George North during the 2013 tour of Australia, particularly referencing North’s memorable try and show-stopping ‘fireman’s lift’ of Israel Folau. Freeman, a Northampton Saints player like North at the time, hopes to emulate his exploits. “George had a monumental impact during that Lions series. To follow his example and create those special moments would be a dream come true,” he remarked.
Freeman also emphasised the quality building in the Australia camp, singling out Joseph Sua’ali’i and former teammate Andrew Kellaway as players to watch. “Australia have some exciting connections and are developing something special. Facing talent like Sua’ali’i and seeing Andrew Kellaway again will be a real test. There’s a buzz around the squad, and we’re looking forward to getting stuck in.”
As both the Lions and Wales undertake challenging tours in the southern hemisphere, the themes of leadership, preparation, and inspiration remain front and centre—promising an exciting summer of rugby for fans across the UK and beyond.