Owen Farrell’s curveball call-up by the British and Irish Lions has been welcomed by his new teammates as the former England captain was praised for his high standards and leadership qualities.

Owen Farrell touched down in Sydney and is expected to light the blue touch paper on the Lions tour Down Under. The ex-England captain, a replacement for injured Elliot Daly, is renowned for his will to win and his refusal to accept second best and has been tipped to shake things up in Australia.

British & Irish Lions back Elliot Daly has been ruled out of the rest of the tour of Australia by a broken forearm and will be replaced in the squad by playmaker Owen Farrell, the son of head coach Andy.