Ben Earl doesn’t look like a man in a hurry when he sits down to address the media In Adelaide. A debutant tourist, he’s engaging and loving every moment.
”I can wholeheartedly tell you that it’s like the best thing I’ve ever done by a mile,” said the British and Irish Lions back-rower.
“I’ve learnt more in the last five weeks than I probably have in the last four years.”
The 27-year-old has had a busy few years.
Earl has been a constant presence for England – having played the full 80 minutes in 24 of his 26 England starts since 2023.
There is some irony in that it is here in Australia, on the greatest stage of his career, the Saracens forward has learned the art of stripping it back.
The Lions hectic schedule, hopping between Australian cities to face new opposition every three days, has meant that his preparation has been less meticulous than usual.
“This tour has taught me one thing, just turn up and play rugby,” he added. “If I think too much about that, what good am I going to be?
“You actually don’t need to do seven days of going into a monastery and coming out on a Saturday and being able to play. You just have to work out what you’re good at and try and do it.”
Once described by World Rugby Player of the Year Ardie Savea as as “pretty swaggy with the ball”, Earl will be going up against the All Black’s former team-mates in number six Shannon Frizell and number eight Hoskins Sotutu on on Saturday.
Australian Pete Samu, who won the European Champions Cup with Bordeaux-Begles this season, completes the back row of the Australia and New Zealand Invitational XV in the Lions’ final tour game before the series opener against the Wallabies on 19 July.
Earl, who started both Tests against New Zealand for England last summer, won’t be daunted by coming up against a back row that, on paper at least, might be the strongest the tourist face on this trip.
After the Lions suffered at the breakdown against the Brumbies, coughing up 12 turnovers before prevailing 36-24, would a good performance by Earl against a team full of power should surely count for something in the reckoning for a Test spot?
