RONAN O’Gara and Conor Murray may not be involved as coaches/players for this summer’s Lions Tour, however, they will feature on our TV screens.
The two legendary Irish half-backs have been named among Sky Sports’ punditry panel for the upcoming tour of Australia.
Conor Murray finished up with Munster once they were knocked out of the URC play-offs[/caption]
Owen Farrell being a pundit seemingly rules out him being a potential playing option[/caption]
O’Gara was a three-time tourist in his playing days[/caption]
Other standout names set to feature as part of the British broadcasting giant’s coverage include Andy Farrell’s son Owen along with three-time Lions head coach Warren Gatland.
Former Wales captain Sam Warburton is another particularly high-profile name that jumps off the screen.
He will have a unique role too as he’s been tasked with leading Sky Sports’ tactical breakdowns from the same studio used by Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher for Monday Night Football.
The All-Star analyst team is rounded out by Ian McGeechan, Kyle Sinckler, Dan Biggar, Nolli Waterman, John Barclay, Anthony Watson and Will Greenwood.
Coverage of all nine matches will be hosted by Alex Payne while Eleanor Roper will act as Sky Sports’ boots on the ground.
Miles Harrison will be the primary commentator.
The first of those nine fixtures actually takes place in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium as Farrell’s charges will start off with what could wind up being their toughest challenge when Argentina come to town.
That enticing encounter will kick-off at 8pm on Friday June 20.
Only two days ago Farrell, 50, added a 16th Irish player to his ranks as Finlay Bealham was called up to replace the injured Xander Fagerson.
The Ireland head coach, currently on sabbatical in order to fulfil his Lions duties, conceded he actually welled up when he rang the Connacht prop to share the news.
The rugby league great said: “Finlay is very good at what he does. He was certainly right up there in the conversation from the very start and he would have been disappointed not to make the group.
“We know he will be a great fit for the group going forward.
“He is the only conversation I was able to have because of the way we did the squad announcement.
“By giving him a phone call and telling him he was selected within the squad, unfortunate for Zander, it was one of the best phone conversations I have ever had.
“The emotion that went through the phone actually welled me up. It was great to be able to do that.”
The squad are training in Portugal this week — minus 15 players still on club duty — as they prepare for tomorrow week’s warm-up.
Farrell added: “It’s tough on Zander to miss out so close to the tour but Finlay now gets an opportunity to come in and add to the group.
“This is unfortunately part and parcel of the game, so we always have to be prepared for that.
“But it’s great to finally be at the stage where we can get on to the training ground and get to work with these players.”
The knock-on effect of Bealham’s Lions addition sees another Connacht player, uncapped tighthead Jack Aungier, 26, added to Ireland’s squad for the Tests against Georgia and Portugal in July.
