- PLUS: What Lions stars talk about in their hotel rooms and what ruined the squad’s beach day?
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The Lions is all about breaking down barriers, with players who are usually bitter rivals during the Six Nations coming together as one with a common goal.
But England back Elliot Daly has struggled to get his Australian tour room-mate in Ireland’s Jack Conan to appreciate his love of Test cricket.
Daly was a talented teenage cricketer, representing England Under-15s and Surrey at various age-group levels as an all-rounder. He could have played professionally, but chose rugby instead after attending the prestigious Whitgift School. Despite the significant time difference, Daly was glued to England’s brilliant run chase against India at Headingley on Tuesday as Ben Stokes’ side went 1-0 up in the hotly-anticipated series with a five-wicket win. No 8 Conan, however, wasn’t quite as keen on the action from Leeds.
‘I am trying to get Jack on to it,’ Daly said. He called (Jasprit) Bumrah ‘Boomer’ or something and thought it was a T20 last night, so I was like “I don’t want to talk to you”. They are not into it that much, but Jamison Gibson-Park and some of the other boys are.’
Daly has been also been sharing a room with full-back Hugo Keenan, having previously been with maverick Ireland winger Mack Hansen. Hansen was born and raised in Canberra so will become one of the squad’s unofficial tour guides as the series continues.
Hansen infamously got a tattoo of Andy Farrell back in 2023 – in the presence of Mail Sport – and he is trying to convince some of his new team-mates to follow suit.
‘He is trying to talk me into it but I am definitely not having it,’ revealed Daly. ‘Mack’s an interesting character and we are getting on very well.’
Room partnerships are decided by team logistics manager Charlotte Gibbons, who is on secondment from her role with England.
With players hailing from all over the world, some of the conversations have gone off on interesting tangents.
South Africa-born prop Pierre Schoeman has been partnered with Australia-born Finlay Bealham. Schoeman revealed: ‘We can speak a lot about Vikings things.’
Over the coming days, the touring party will delegate their infamous ‘committee’ roles. This involves delegating responsibilities across the squad to manage off-field logistics.
Bundee Aki is a key and eager figure on fines.
Hooker Dan Sheehan revealed: ‘We’re getting those bits, like social, fines, tourist info committees, sorted. We have our first big meet up after the game this week.
‘I’m sure it’s the lads who’ve done tours before, so Tadhg [Furlong], Elliot, Tadhg Beirne, and I’m sure Maro will have a say as skip.
‘I’ll be told what to do, I’d say. Maybe laundry – as there’s a big management team here who basically do the laundry, so if you get that it’s just making sure the management do a good job.’
A California Girl in Perth
Perth Airport has been a hive of activity this week as the Lions tour and its followers landed in the city. Andy Farrell’s squad travelled in style on Qatar Airways, touching down on the same weekend that pop superstar Katy Perry was in town. Perry flew in on a private jet before her concert in Perth. Her husband, Orlando Bloom, was also seen walking around the CBD but they will not be sticking around for the Lions match against the Western Force, with Perry’s next concert scheduled in Adelaide.
Big fright for Beale
Western Force star Kurtley Beale almost jumped out of his skin at his early-morning press conference on Tuesday. In a media session where Beale outlined his ambitions to play against the Lions for the First Nations & Pacifika XV as well as his provincial side, the utility back was taken by surprise when a wild possum charged over his feet. Possums are generally nocturnal, with grey fur and pointed ears.
Beach day ruined for watered-down squad
Plans for the Lions to recover from their long-haul flight to Perth with a dip in the sea at Cottesloe Beach were shelved on Monday. The water was deemed too choppy by the Lions backroom staff, who were working on a tight schedule after their welcome ceremony in Kings Park. By the time the sun broke through, the Lions had already made alternative plans.
It meant a scheduled Lions and Western Force group photo on the seafront were significantly watered down, with Australian hooker Nic Dolly and Lions defence coach Simon Easterby stepping in as team poster boys. Former Leicester forward Dolly won a single England cap but is now set to take on the Lions.
Big-spending fans left roomless… at first
Guests of Lions Rugby Travel landed in Australia with a bump when they discovered at hotel check-in that their rooms had not been booked. A mix-up on dates meant some punters booked on the official tour package, which costs around £20,000, were greeted by confused lobby staff on arrival in Perth. The problem was eventually resolved following a call back to the UK, with guests subsequently upgraded to suites.
Lions leave Lansdowne lachrymose
The Lions’ tour warm-up prior to leaving for Australia ended in a shock defeat by Argentina. But Dublin was a sea of red, everyone in the city revelling in a moment of history as the iconic side played on Irish soil for the first time.
There were a couple of dissenting voices however and they came from Lansdowne RFC – the club whose home ground is right next door to the Aviva Stadium.
Lansdowne’s clubhouse is a popular drinking spot on Dublin matchdays given its location, but the venue was taken over by the Lions as a hospitality venue last Friday night.
It meant only those who had paid through the nose for a corporate ticket could attend, leaving even Lansdowne members shut out.
Alfie Barbeary’s never-ending party
After missing out on Lions and England selection, Glastonbury is the next port of call for Alfie Barbeary’s seemingly never-ending Premiership party.
Bath No 8 Barbeary celebrated his team’s league title win and treble season by sporting a new look of Budgy Smuggler speedos and black loafers – wearing the combination on their trophy parade as well as on holiday in Ibiza. Now Worthy Farm is Barbeary’s next port of call. And yes, the speedos and loafers are going with him.
