The British and Irish Lions enjoyed the perfect day at the office as they hammered the Western Force 54-7 in their opening match in Australia on the weekend. After defeat to Argentina last time out, Andy Farrell’s men required a rapid start.
And that’s what they got opening the score immediately before the Force quickly hit back. But the tourists didn’t go into their shell and produced a statement, hitting the half-century mark at the Optus Stadium. Plenty of players laid down a marker heading into Wednesday’s match against the Queensland Reds.
Here, Express Sport has taken a close look at how each Lions player fared in Perth during the thrashing…
15. Elliot Daly – Chance to lay down a Test marker and some lively running from the back plus well-taken try. 7
14. Mack Hansen – Got away with a high shot on Donaldson early on then came off wing to get involved. 6
13. Garry Ringrose – Stood out with wo important first half defensive interventions and went around smashing people for fun. 9
12. Sione Tuipulotu – Shifted back to 12 after Puma game which is more his position but little chance to make big busts. 6
11. James Lowe – Great awareness for Lions first try and his left foot will be a big weapon in Tests. 7
10. Finn Russell – Made Daly try with cheeky quick tap, kicked his goals and got his backline moving. 8
9. Tomos Williams – Impressive against Argentina, scored and added tempo here but limped off which is a worry. 8
1.Pierre Schoeman – Big character on this trip and the scrum went well early on for the Scotland prop. 6
2. Dan Sheehan (capt) – First Lions game, superb positioning for his early score and good darts at line out. 7
3. Tadhg Furlong – Calf injury wrecked his end of season but was part of decent scrum for the tourists. 6
4. Scott Cummings – Big opportunity for the Scottish lock and line out worked but didn’t see much carrying. 5
5. Joe McCarthy – Combustible Irishman got involved in a couple of scuffles and deserved his score after graft. 7
6. Tadhg Beirne – Backed up from last week but needless penalties in first half before being replaced in second. 5
7. Josh van der Flier – Great interplay with Pollock for the Lions first try and did his work on the floor. 6
8. Henry Pollock – Can’t keep him out of the news, involved in everything, good, bad and ugly. A star. 8
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher 5 (for Sheehan 65), Andrew Porter 5 (for Schoeman 48), Will Stuart 6 (for Furlong 48), Ollie Chessum 5 (for Cummings 48), Jack Conan 5 (for Beirne 48), Alex Mitchell 5 (for Williams 47), Huw Jones 6 (for Ringrose 55), Marcus Smith 7 (for Russell 62)
Western Force: Donaldson 7; Grealy 5, Proctor 6, Stewart 6, Pietsch 7; Harford 6, White 7 (capt); T.Robertson 6, Paenga-Amosa 5, Hoskins 5, Carter 6, Swain 6, Harris 7, Champion de Crespigny 6, Ekuasi 6
Replacements: Horton 4 (for Paenga-Amosa 55), Pearce 4 (for T,Robertson 55), Tauakipulu 5 (for Hoskins 64), Faifua 5 (for Carter 49), Prinsep 6 (for Harris 9-22, for Ekusai 52), H.Robertson 5 (for White 58), Burey 5(for Harford 52), Kuenzie 5 (for Pietsch 61)
Referee: Ben O’Keefe (NZ)
