British and Irish Lions Call Up Scottish Trio for Pasifika Cover

British & Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell has expanded his squad to 44 players by calling up three Scottish internationals—winger Darcy Graham, loosehead prop Rory Sutherland, and hooker Ewan Ashman—as injury cover for the midweek match against the First Nations & Pasifika XV in Melbourne. These players were originally part of Scotland’s squad in New Zealand but have been summoned to help rest key Test players ahead of the second Test against Australia. Graham will join the Lions in Brisbane, while Sutherland and Ashman will arrive in Melbourne, with the additions mirroring similar strategic reinforcements seen in previous Lions tours. Farrell has also added other players recently, including Ireland tighthead Tom Clarkson and England hooker Jamie George, to bolster squad depth after injuries. This move follows the precedent set by Warren Gatland’s 'Geography Six' call-ups in 2017, aiming to manage workload in the demanding tour schedule. The First Nations & Pasifika XV match is scheduled for July 22 at Melbourne’s Docklands Stadium, serving as a key preparation fixture between the Test matches.