Summary

  • British & Irish Lions beat Sigma Lions 56-14 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg

  • Wales' Josh Adams scores four tries and Gareth Davies one in second half

  • Scotland's Hamish Watson and Ali Price tries gave Lions 21-7 half-time lead

  • Wales' Louis Rees-Zammit scored debut Lions try in fourth minute

  • First game of tour to South Africa played without fans and at altitude

  1. Goodbyepublished at 19:14 British Summer Time 3 July 2021

    FT: Sigma Lions 14-56 British and Irish Lions

    That's all from another excellent win for the British and Irish Lions.

    If you missed it, have a read of Mike Henson's report here.

    We'll be back on Wednesday for the second warm-up game against the Sharks. Kick-off for that one is at 18:00 BST.

  2. 'I was pleased with one try' - Adamspublished at 19:11 British Summer Time 3 July 2021

    FT: Sigma Lions 14-56 British and Irish Lions

    Josh Adams - who in case you missed it scored four tries in that win - told the British and Irish Lions media team crossing so many times was "class".

    "To get one I was pleased," he said.

    "One or two I did have a walk in, but I'll take them.

    "To get four is brilliant. I'm thoroughly pleased with us as a team to get that win as well.

    "We played well at times. We showed our class as a team and there’s loads of things to build on."

    Josh Adams scores a tryImage source, Getty Images
  3. 'A lot to work on' - Watsonpublished at 19:07 British Summer Time 3 July 2021

    FT: Sigma Lions 14-56 British and Irish Lions

    Man of the match Hamish Watson told Sky Sports:

    "It's just great to finally get out here. There's a lot of work on. It was a bit scrappy at times.

    "That first half we got tested physically. There's lots to work on for Wednesday."

  4. Adams 'a phenomenal try-scorer'published at 19:04 British Summer Time 3 July 2021

    FT: Sigma Lions 14-56 British and Irish Lions

    Chris Jones
    BBC rugby union correspondent

    Plenty of impressive performances across the board for the Lions - Elliot Daly looked especially sharp when he came on.

    Although the Finn Russell and Owen Farrell partnership in midfield didn’t quite click, Warren Gatland will reflect on a very decent first outing on South African soil.

    And after starring at the Rugby World Cup, Josh Adams continues to prove he is a phenomenal try-scorer on the big stage.

    Elliot Daly puts his arm round Josh AdamsImage source, Getty Images
  5. Hogg, Adams and Watson lead stats tablespublished at 19:00 British Summer Time 3 July 2021

    FT: Sigma Lions 14-56 British and Irish Lions

    A few players made early bids for the Test team, here are some of the table-toppers from that match.

    Stuart Hogg made the most metres with 69 and had the most carries with 10.

    Perhaps unsurprisingly, Josh Adams beat the most defenders. He made it past six.

    And Hamish Watson was the most prolific tackler with 16.

    Hamish Watson and Josh AdamsImage source, Getty Images
  6. Match statspublished at 18:56 British Summer Time 3 July 2021

    FT: Sigma Lions 14-56 British and Irish Lions

    Sigma Lions - British and Irish Lions

    Possession 48-52

    Carries 90-98

    Metres carried 330-506

    Defenders beaten 14-33

  7. Postpublished at 18:53 British Summer Time 3 July 2021

    FT: Sigma Lions 14-56 British and Irish Lions

    What a day it has been for Josh Adams.

    The Wales wing scored an incredible four tries, adding to the one he already had in last weekend's Japan game.

    Josh Adams runs with the ballImage source, Getty Images
  8. Postpublished at 18:50 British Summer Time 3 July 2021

    FT: Sigma Lions 14-56 British and Irish Lions

    The Lions mill around on the pitch hugging and shaking hands.

    It's not ecstatic celebrations, just measured pleasantries as they kick off their South Africa tour with a win.

  9. Full-timepublished at 18:48 British Summer Time 3 July 2021

    FT: Sigma Lions 14-56 British and Irish Lions

    And the hosts knock on.

    That is that. Another comprehensive victory for the British and Irish Lions.

  10. Postpublished at 81 mins

    Sigma Lions 14-56 British and Irish Lions

    Time for one last line-out, the Sigma Lions go long...

  11. Postpublished at 80 mins

    Sigma Lions 14-56 British and Irish Lions

    Nope, the Sigma Lions get a penalty instead.

  12. Postpublished at 80 mins

    Sigma Lions 14-56 British and Irish Lions

    Hamish Watson is given man of the match by the TV decision-makers.

    He has had an excellent day in defence. Maybe he'll finish it off with another try? The Lions are driving forwards in the 22.

  13. Postpublished at 78 mins

    Sigma Lions 14-56 British and Irish Lions

    The game quietens down a bit after all that excitement with a bit of kick tennis.

    The Sigma Lions end up with possession and almost immediately concede a penalty to give the British and Irish Lions a scrum. Surely two minutes is enough for Josh Adams to bring his tally up to five?

  14. Postpublished at 77 mins

    Sigma Lions 14-56 British and Irish Lions

    Sam Simmonds makes a break. He gets the Lions up to the 10m line and... they give away possession at the breakdown again.

  15. Postpublished at 75 mins

    Sigma Lions 14-56 British and Irish Lions

    Elliot Daly feeds the ball left to Josh Adams again and he gets the Lions up towards the 22.

    But the visitors concede a penalty on the floor. Five minutes left...

  16. Postpublished at 74 mins

    Sigma Lions 14-56 British and Irish Lions

    Head coach Warren Gatland is understandably smiling in the stands. The Lions look keen to finish this game at a canter.

  17. try

    Try - Sigma Lions 14-56 British and Irish Lionspublished at 72 mins

    Josh Adams (Con Farrell)

    That will help though.

    A solid maul gives the Lions a great platform, drawing defenders in and allowing Elliot Daly to send a long ball left to Josh Adams.

    What a day for the 26-year-old. FOUR tries in one game in a Lions jersey.

    Owen Farrell is having a good day from the tee too. He's got another one.

  18. Postpublished at 72 mins

    Sigma Lions 14-49 British and Irish Lions

    If you're wondering whether Josh Adams can compete to be the top Lions try-scorer of all time, he's got a way to go.

    The Wales wing has got four so far and, according to the Lions website, Tony O'Reilly has the lead with 37.

  19. Replacementpublished at 71 mins

    Sigma Lions 14-49 British and Irish Lions

    The space on Warren Gatland's bench grows.

    Iain Henderson is on for lock Maro Itoje and Luke Cowan-Dickie replaces hooker Jamie George.

  20. try

    Try - Sigma Lions 14-49 British and Irish Lionspublished at 69 mins

    Josh Adams (Con Farrell)

    There's the hat-trick!

    Too many tries to keep up with now. Josh Adams puts in a great hit on Rabz Maxwane, gets back up and takes an offload from Hamish Watson to cover at least 30m for his third score.

    Another conversion for Owen Farrell.

    AdamsImage source, Getty Images