**Lawrence Dallaglio Casts Doubt on Wallabies’ Lions Hopes as Debate Over Jac Morgan Grows**
The British & Irish Lions’ triumphant start to their Test series against Australia has sparked both celebration and controversy in rugby circles, with former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio igniting discussion around the Wallabies’ competitiveness and the bold selection choices of head coach Andy Farrell. The Lions, steered by Farrell, secured a hard-fought 27-19 victory in Brisbane, with their early dominance and crucial performances from key players making the difference.
Dallaglio, who toured with the Lions in 1997, 2001, and 2005, used his column in The Times to offer a critical appraisal of both sides. According to the ex-England back rower, the Australian hosts looked “nervous and naive,” failing to cope with the visitors’ physical power and tactical maturity. He went so far as to suggest that the Wallabies “haven’t got the necessary tools to make it a contest”, hinting at a potentially one-sided series should the hosts fail to raise their standards.
The Lions’ opening Test success was underpinned by a commanding first-half, where tries from Sione Tuipulotu and Tom Curry provided a 17-5 half-time buffer. Despite a second-half resurgence by the Wallabies, Dan Sheehan’s score ultimately helped secure the win. Dallaglio noted that while the score differential was only eight points, the disparity in quality on the field was “a huge gulf in class” – a theme, he argued, that has been consistent since the tourists arrived in Australia.
Central to post-match discussion was Andy Farrell’s contentious decision to exclude Wales star Jac Morgan from the matchday squad. Morgan, one of the form players in the warm-up fixtures, was conspicuously omitted – marking the first time since 1896 that a Lions Test side has not featured a Welsh international. Farrell’s faith in Tom Curry, however, was rewarded as the England flanker produced a standout display, recording eight carries, eleven tackles, and a try before the break.
Dallaglio was quick to defend Farrell’s selection, contending that genuine competitive moments for the Lions have mostly come during their own training sessions, rather than in the matches themselves. “From the games we’ve seen, you could have picked any XV from this squad,” he remarked, reflecting on the perceived lack of depth in opposition. He further argued that the tour’s competitive shortcomings justified Farrell’s instincts in team selection, favouring Curry over Morgan or Ireland’s Josh van der Flier in the pivotal No.7 role.
Farrell himself admitted Morgan was “as close as you could imagine” to making the Test squad, but ultimately stood by his choices, pointing to Curry’s all-round contribution on the day. Curry’s impact extended beyond the stat-sheet: a deft lineout steal and clever offload helped set up Sheehan’s crucial try in the second half, underscoring why Farrell’s gamble paid off.
For Morgan, the excellent displays by Curry and fellow flanker Tadhg Beirne (who took man-of-the-match honours) pose a significant challenge to breaking into the Test side for the remainder of the series. Dallaglio acknowledged that players like Morgan and rising star Henry Pollock have impressed in warm-up matches, but insisted that Farrell and his staff deserved credit for prioritising proven Test quality in the face of mounting external scrutiny.
With the series now tilted firmly in the Lions’ favour, Dallaglio urged the rugby public to unite behind the squad and its head coach. “Anyone who has criticised Andy Farrell and his coaches should be eating humble pie after the first Test,” he wrote, calling on supporters to move beyond selection debates and rally for the greater good of the Lions tradition. “Regardless of selection and who they are playing, they deserve our full support. The future of the Lions depends on it.”
The debate surrounding Morgan’s omission remains a hot topic, with many in Wales and beyond questioning whether the flanker will get his chance as the tour continues. For now, however, belief in Farrell’s judgment is buoyed by a convincing start to this historic series – and the expectation that, unless Australia can find new answers, the Lions may well secure a memorable series victory Down Under.