British and Irish Lions centre Garry Ringrose has praised Owen Farrell's leadership in the hard fought 24-19 win over the First Nations & Pasifika XV.
The victory has put both players in the selection mix for the second Test against the Wallabies in front of 100,000 fans in Melbourne on Saturday.
Farrell captained the Lions for the first time on his 20th appearance in the famous red jersey.
And Ringrose – back from the injury that ruled him out of the first Test win in Brisbane – enjoyed a ‘dog fight’ match alongside the England legend who was only added to the tour party to replace the injured Elliot Daly.
On the evidence of their partnership against the First Nations & Pasifika XV side, Ringrose and Farrell could be a potential Test partnership according to talkSPORT pundit Ben Kay.
The 2003 England World Cup winner said: “I tell you what, Farrell and Ringrose are the centre pairing that we didn't know we needed to see, they've been outstanding tonight, really complimenting each other well."
Ringrose was on course to form a first Test pairing with fellow Irish centre Bundee Aki before he was injured and his versatility, like Farrell, makes him a strong candidate for the match-day 23 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) this weekend.
He said: “It was actually pretty cool to get the chance to play with Owen, someone I would have admired for my whole career.
“To get the chance to play with him in that dog fight type game. I'm happy to get the win and it was cool to play with him.
“From the off, his leadership in the week, it was a challenging turn around.
“The elation from the first Test, travelling and the captain's run, and he didn't miss a beat in terms of that leadership style and bringing players with him.
“Even the guys coming in [for the First Nations & Pasifika XV game], bringing new guys into the environment and getting them up to speed, he was leading that.
"So when he talks everyone listens, what he's saying is the right pitch and it hits the spot every time and I could feel it out there as well.
“And that's not even talking about the rugby side of things – his ability at the line because he's that kind of 10/12, similar to the lad's skill at the line but also physicality when that's needed.
“His work rate for Duhan's first try, the work rate to take the ball to the far edge.
“Then the off the ball the work rate to be there to help Duhan score on the other edge.
“In big moments he's someone who consistently delivers and we saw that."
Head coach Andy Farrell, Owen's dad, is now spoilt for choice in the centre with Jamie Osborne scoring two tries on his Lions debut joining first Test starters Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones in the selection debate.
Ringrose admitted: "It's having [six centres] with Jamie and Owen in there now, the six of us. To work with Sione and Huw and Bundee as well is brilliant.
"Jamie was doing pretty exceptionally when he was in at 13 before the change when Darcy Graham was injured [and he went to wing].
“At the start of the campaign we wanted to challenge ourselves to be really open and honest with each other and try and get the best out of all of us.
“Whoever is out there on the day [of the Test match] is representing the whole centre group. Whatever combination there is, there is a standard expected to deliver on.”
Ringrose has taken a philosophical attitude to the injury that robbed him of a place in the first Test squad, adding: “It's the nature of the beast I guess.
“If you aren't dealing with that little battle, there's some other battle that everyone is dealing with and everyone has their own story.
“They're trying to do themselves proud and their teammates and family and all that. We're all in the same boat in that regard.
“The win over the FNP side was tougher to achieve than many expected and it will ensure there is no complacency ahead of the second Test when the Lions can wrap up the series.
“It wasn't a pretty game, but when it's a good win you never think it's as good as it is.
“Maybe when the performance isn't at the level you want it to be, it's never as bad as you think it is.
“That's probably what I’ve learnt. Keen to review and see where we can get better.
“Getting the win is the bottom line and that was the message in [the changing rooms] that we're happy with that.
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“It's the beauty of the Lions, the challenge of all hands on deck for the first Test, then travel day Sunday and pretty much a review, preview Monday.
“So getting combinations together, it's not really with any intensity. So it's the mental challenge of trying to build that cohesion and be as prepared as you can.
“And on top of that, a bit of an unknown in terms of the opposition you're playing against.
“It's the beauty of the whole Lions tour and it's cool to be a part of that, it's part of the challenge and it's exciting.”
