The British & Irish Lions made a compelling start to their Australian tour with a dominant 54-7 win over the Western Force in Perth. While the final score suggested an emphatic display, the visitors had to weather an inconsistent first half before shifting gears and surging ahead in the second period. The Lions ultimately notched up eight tries, offering both a glimpse of their attacking potential and areas requiring improvement.
Andy Farrell’s selection sparked a number of talking points ahead of kick-off, chief among them his decision to start Elliot Daly at full-back. Daly responded confidently, demonstrating excellent positional play and contributing two well-taken tries. His efforts off the ball and accuracy with the boot ensured the Force were kept under pressure, validating Farrell’s trust in his experience.
On the wings, contrasting narratives unfolded. Mack Hansen, representing Connacht, experienced a subdued first half and was tested defensively. However, the second half saw him recover with well-timed attacking lines and a vital offload leading to a Tomos Williams try. Across the field, James Lowe delivered a powerful Lions debut, taking on an important playmaking role despite not getting on the scoreboard himself. Lowe’s creativity in open play was instrumental, directly contributing to several tries.
The midfield saw flashes of brilliance but also signs that further work is needed. Garry Ringrose largely impressed in defence, shutting down attacks with sharp line speed, and managed to cross the try line. Still, questions remain whether he has fully cemented a Test berth. Sione Tuipulotu started quietly but blossomed after the break, topping the carrier statistics and rampaging through the Force’s defensive line. The Scottish centre’s strong showing hints at a tight battle for the crucial inside centre role.
Fly-half Finn Russell orchestrated proceedings with composure and flair. His deft passing repeatedly unpicked the Force defence after half-time, and a quick penalty provided the spark for Daly’s first try. Russell’s solid place-kicking, with ten points from the tee, reinforced his credentials as Lions’ leading playmaker.
Scrum-half Tomos Williams produced a dynamic performance, sparking attacking moves and dotting down for two tries. Unfortunately, his outing was curtailed by injury shortly after scoring, raising concerns over his availability for the upcoming fixtures. Alex Mitchell came on and made an immediate impression, rounding off the match with a late score.
Perhaps the standout among the forwards was the young flanker, Henry Pollock. The Northampton Saint injected genuine excitement with his individual brilliance — setting up a try with a clever break and offload, and regathering his own kick for another. Still, Pollock’s adventurous approach came at a price, as he was shown a yellow card, exposing the ongoing balance he must strike between invention and discipline.
Other members of the pack produced mixed results. Joe McCarthy particularly impressed as the pack’s lynchpin, turning over the ball at crucial moments, carrying powerfully, and finishing with a well-deserved try. However, Irish duo Tadhg Beirne and Tadhg Furlong had quieter outings, both being penalised and not displaying their usual influence around the field. They will need to raise their game in the weeks ahead if they are to secure key roles in the Tests.
The replacements made their mark, with players like Ollie Chessum and Marcus Smith injecting energy late on, while Andrew Porter and Will Stuart gave stable performances up front. Huw Jones looked lively off the bench and will be pushing for more minutes.
In summary, this opening tour victory for the Lions provided a blend of optimism and valuable lessons. While certain Lions, including Pollock and McCarthy, enhanced their reputations, others will be aware that further improvement is required to stake a claim for a starting Test place. As the team prepares to face tougher opposition in the coming weeks, Farrell’s side can draw confidence from their strong attacking output, but must also address inconsistencies if they are to challenge Australia later in the summer.