Andy Farrell's fullback options if Kinghorn misses out

Andy Farrell is suddenly considering life with a fullback crisis if Blair Kinghorn is ruled out after going off after just 24 minutes against the Brumbies. With Elliot Daly out of the tour due to injury and Blair Kinghorn being assessed Farrell will need to look at his other squad options to decide his next stpes or adjust his game plan. Here are the three most viable options available in the current squad.

Hugo Keenan:

Keenan would have been in the conversation as a certain starter for the test series if it were not for some poorly timed injury issues he suffered in 2024 and 2025. Keenan did play the Six Nations but only played six games for Leinster outside of that in 2025. He played just 50 minutes against the Waratahs for the Lions and is also under an injury cloud but still in the squad. You will think that, if fit, he is the first choice of the three listed and is also the only out and out 15.

Marcus Smith:

Smith played the rest of the game against the Brumbies after Kinghorn left at 15. Many fans are unsure whether he is best suited at 10 or 15 it was an important run out to perhaps prove to Andy Farrell that he has what it takes to play there come the opening test in under 10 days time. Starting him at 15 will hamper the plan to have him off the bench and limit the versatility he brings to the game.

Tommy Freeman:

Freeman, another extremely versatile player, can be deployed on either wing, centre or fullback. He has played roughly 15% of his top flight games at 15 but this was all for Northampton Saints with the last time he started their in early January 2023. Farrell would have Mack Hansen as cover for 14 if he picks this option and it is an outside option that will be considered