When The British & Irish Lions toured Australia in 2001, a nine-year-old kid from Canberra started to do some maths.
By 2025, he learned, he would be 33 when the Lions toured Australia again and that set in stone a 24-year dream to be there, at the pinnacle of his sport.
In a twist in the tale, when Andy Farrell announced his squad at the O2 Arena on May 8, Finlay Bealham’s name was not among them.
But, with an injury ruling Zander Fagerson out, he was subsequently drafted in. After a 24-year wait, what was an extra couple of weeks anyway?
“I am over the moon, it is a dream come true. It is still a bit of as whirlwind, I found out on Friday and was in on the Sunday so I had to get ready quick,” the prop said.
“I have fitted in well and I am over the moon to be here. Obviously I was not named on May 8 but I knew that squad might change and I had to be ready if called upon.
“I knew Tadhg (Furlong) and Zander had their respective injuries and so I had to stay fit and healthy. Next thing I knew, I was in.”
‘ONE OF THE BEST CONVERSATIONS OF MY LIFE’
Bealham joined up with the Lions during their Portugal training camp and Head Coach Farrell wasted no time in introducing him to the squad.
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With the unique nature of a Lions squad announcement dictating that nobody finds out until the world finds out, Farrell was prevented from a one-on-one call with 37 of the 38 players he named – captain Maro Itoje being the exception.
However, Bealham was different and, as the squad assembled in Portugal, Farrell took up the story.
“A huge congratulations to Finlay, who has been added to the squad full-time,” he said.
“He cried like a baby by the way – didn’t you?! I can honestly say, lads, it was one of the best conversations I have had in my entire life because I could not phone the rest of you to tell you the good news.
“But the one person I was able to because, unfortunately Zander has had to drop out, is Finlay.
“He thought he might have been in for the Argentina game because of injuries and I said ‘well, you’re not just in for Argentina’. I said ‘you have made it, mate. You are coming onto the plane to Australia’.
“It went quiet and then he let it all out, he let all of the emotion out. I mean, that is it right there lads. I know we take the p**s out of each but that is what it should mean to be a British & Irish Lion.
“It was one of the best conversations, I actually welled up myself, Finlay. It was that good. Congratulations to you mate, well done.”
A LONG JOURNEY
At 33, Bealham is one of the older members of the Lions squad and he will be a reliable front-row option for Farrell.
Born in Canberra to an English dad and Irish mum, he will return ‘home’ this summer, with the July 9 game against the Brumbies in Canberra Stadium circled in his diary.
Selection also brings his career full circle.
The 2001 Lions Tour was a key event in his childhood and, though he was born and raised in Australia, he proudly wore a red Lions jersey.
“I remember watching with my dad when I was a kiddie in 2001,” he said.
“My dad is English and my mum is Irish, and I can remember Jason Robinson scoring that try and I had the jersey on.
“I remember my dad and I looking at what age I would be when the Lions go to Australia, and I would have been 33 for the 2025 Tour. We talked about that as a kid growing up.
“It’s come full circle, so I am truly blessed. I just want to be the best version of myself and make my family and friends proud.”
MADE IN CONNACHT
He might have born in Canberra but Bealham was made in Galway.
He first moved to Ireland at just 18 to join Belfast Harlequins before Connacht spotted him and offered a place at their academy. He’s never left.
Bealham made his debut against Zebre in February 2014, while he signed his first professional contract shortly after. Connacht, under the stewardship of Pat Lam, were on the up, with a potent blend of hungry young players and experienced seniors.
Two seasons after Bealham broke through, they won their first ever senior trophy with victory in the Pro14 – and he played in every match, including the 20-10 win against Leinster in the final.
That season, he came on Joe Schmidt’s radar with Ireland. Bealham was called up for the 2016 Six Nations and made his debut against Italy in Round 4. Later that summer, he played in all three Tests against South Africa.
With the likes of Tadhg Furlong and Andrew Porter, competition for places was intense but Bealham has since won 51 Ireland caps and played a key part in the 2023 Grand Slam and 2024 Six Nations title as Ireland became the world’s number-one ranked team.
“I've learned loads from Tadhg over the years. I'm really thankful for him,” he said in January.
“I remember a few years ago we used to sit down and watch training together and he would be talking about things he would be doing around the pitch and reviewing sessions together.
“The culture that we have, it's the way we do it here, that we're all sharing the knowledge, which has been so beneficial to me, learning what I have from Tadhg.”
STONE COLD
Bealham might be one of the elder members of the squad, but he is young at heart.
A keen WWE fan, he has had to curb his enthusiasm since becoming a dad to son Joaquin.
“I like the old-school wrestlers. I like the Undertaker, he was a big favourite of mine. Stone Cold Steve Austin, Kane,” he said.
“I wouldn't really watch it now because I'm a father and I have to kinda act as an adult.
“But when I was younger and didn't have as much responsibility, I had more time to put my focus and attention into wrestling."
Joaquin was born last year and Bealham admits it has changed him.
“No matter if I’ve had a good day at the office or if the s*** has hit the fan, I can always come home and the little boss man is just there,” he told the Irish Independent.
“He’s delighted to see me. It just gives me an added incentive to keep performing, and to keep on working at the optimal level.
“Because as long as I do that, I can provide for him and look after my wife, Sarah. Ultimately, family is the number one thing in my life.”
