Summary

  • British and Irish Lions score eight tries to win first tour match in Australia

  • Tomos Williams scores two tries but goes off with possible hamstring issue at Perth's Optus Stadium

  • Elliot Daly also touches down twice as Lions dominate second half with five tries

  • Captain Dan Sheehan's try gave Lions early lead before Williams and Elliot Daly scores secured 21-7 half-time lead

  • Get involved: #bbcrugby, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)⁠

  1. Eight-try Lions win marred by Mitchell injurypublished at 13:50 British Summer Time

    FT: Western Force 7-54 Lions

    The Lions have got the job done in Perth after a comfortable eight-try 54-7 victory over the Western Force in their opening game Down Under.

    The one concern for Andy Farrell's tourists will be the injury to Tomos Williams, who appeared to pull up with a hamstring issue after scoring his second try.

    You can read Tom English's full match report from Optus Stadium here.

    The Lions move onto Brisbane next to face the Queensland Reds on Wednesday.

    Until then, you can stay up to date with all things Lions here...

    LionsImage source, Getty Images
  2. 'Too early to know' impact of Williams' injurypublished at 13:49 British Summer Time

    FT: Western Force 7-54 Lions

    British and Irish Lions

    Tomos Williams walks offImage source, Getty Images

    Lions' head coach Andy Farrell has gone into more detail on Tomos Williams' hamstring injury, but has said it's "too early to know" what the impact will be.

    In Farrell's post match press conference, he said: "Too early to know. He come off holding his hamstring. Plenty of cramp last week - let's hope it's that."

    However, some good news for another scrum-half as Farrell confirmed Jamison Gibson-Park will return to the squad on Wednesday after having a glute injury.

  3. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:48 British Summer Time

    #bbcrugby, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)⁠

    McCarthy & Van der Flier both put their hand firmly up for Test selection. Porter & Stuart devastating when they came on; will be stunned if they’re not the starting props. Finn Russell doing classic Finn Russell-things as expected. Gutted for Tomos Williams, really stood out before he went off injured.

    Ash, London

  4. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:48 British Summer Time

    #bbcrugby, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)⁠

    Very easy to be an armchair critic. These players are not used to playing with one another and people are very naive to think they would immediately play scintillating rugby. I thought it was a polished performance with room for improvement.

    Barry Dublin

  5. Roaring Lions - Elliot Dalypublished at 13:46 British Summer Time

    FT: Western Force 7-54 Lions

    A three-time tourist, Elliot Daly is an experienced Lion.

    As well as two tries, Daly was solid under the high ball and defended well.

    He played on the wing in 2017, in midfield four years later and is now a contender for Test selection at full-back. Andy Farrell will consider his versatility a strength.

    Elliot DalyImage source, Getty Images
  6. Roaring Lions - Finn Russellpublished at 13:42 British Summer Time

    FT: Western Force 7-54 Lions

    Finn Russell was a Lions tourist in 2021, albeit largely playing second fiddle to Dan Biggar in the Test series.

    This year is his chance to stake his claim as the first choice fly-half and he produced some class touches against the Force.

    His pin-point cross-field kick set-up the opening try, while he spotted the opportunity to take a quick tap and go for Elliot Daly's first try.

    Finn RussellImage source, Getty Images
  7. Roaring Lions - Tomos Williamspublished at 13:39 British Summer Time

    FT: Western Force 7-54 Lions

    Tomos Williams was alert to everything and sniffed out two tries with his support lines.

    He distributed well, added tempo to the Lions attack and built a solid foundation with Finn Russell.

    Jamison Gibson-Park is likely to return to fitness next week but Williams has certainly put his hand up for Test selection. The extent of his hamstring injury is still unknown but he will want to recover quickly.

    Tomos WilliamsImage source, Getty Images
  8. Roaring Lions - Henry Pollockpublished at 13:34 British Summer Time

    FT: Western Force 7-54 Lions

    The youngest man in the Lions squad produced a performance which belied his years.

    The back row has the athleticism of a centre and created two tries with individual moments of brilliance, including a clever chip and chase.

    He spent 10 minutes in the sin-bin but that was more for an accumulation of penalties against the Lions.

    Henry PollockImage source, Getty Images
  9. Roaring Lions - Dan Sheehanpublished at 13:31 British Summer Time

    FT: Western Force 7-54 Lions

    Dan Sheehan stepped into Maro Itoje's boots as Lions skipper with aplomb.

    The hooker opened the scoring and maintained his energy throughout in the loose.

    The line-out also functioned well with Sheehan at the helm.

    Dan SheehanImage source, Getty Images
  10. Roaring Lions - top five pickspublished at 13:28 British Summer Time

    FT: Western Force 7-54 Lions

    We asked you to tell us who you thought stood out for the Lions today, so here are our top five picks for the tourists...

  11. Lions fixtures and resultspublished at 13:24 British Summer Time

    FT: Western Force 7-54 Lions

    Pierre Schoeman of the British Lions shakes hands with his team matesImage source, Getty Images

    Two down, eight games to go on the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour...

    Friday, 20 June - Lions 24-28 Argentina, Dublin (Aviva Stadium)

    Saturday, 28 June - Lions 7-54 Western Force, Perth (Optus Stadium)

    Wednesday, 2 July - Lions v Queensland Reds, Brisbane (Suncorp Stadium)

    Saturday, 5 July - Lions v NSW Waratahs, Sydney (Allianz Stadium)

    Wednesday, 9 July - Lions v ACT Brumbies, Canberra (GIO Stadium)

    Saturday, 12 July - Lions v Invitational AU & NZ, Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)

    Saturday, 19 July - Lions v Australia, first Test, Brisbane (Suncorp Stadium)

    Tuesday, 22 July - Lions v First Nations & Pasifika XV, Melbourne (Marvel Stadium)

    Saturday, 26 July - Lions v Australia, second Test, Melbourne (Melbourne Cricket Ground/MCG)

    Saturday, 2 August - Lions v Australia, third Test, Sydney (Accor Stadium)

    All matches in Australia kick off at 11:00 BST

  12. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:19 British Summer Time

    #bbcrugby, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)⁠

    Great game, but Lions need to fix their discipline. Too many knock-ons.

    Jamie

    Good depth in squad. Lots of competition for places. Can only improve when the proper fullbacks get a run out. Hope Tomos Williams is precautionary….

    Stevo, Cheltenham

  13. 'Plenty of learning'published at 13:12 British Summer Time

    FT: Western Force 7-54 Lions

    British and Irish Lions

    Andy Farrell looks onImage source, Getty Images

    British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell, speaking to Sky Sports: "Again, a new-ish team. Plenty of learning from last week and the same again from this week.

    "When we get out composure in the second half we was able to be nice and calm.

    "I mean, let's be honest, the Force took it to us. I thought they played a tough high-percentage game. They kept the ball really well and we kept them in good field pos through our ill discipline.

    "It was a real good test for us in that first half glad how we composed ourselves at half-time and kept our composure throughout the second half.

    "There are nine new caps there.

    "A couple of lads have not played they will get to play in the next couple of games.

    "It is nice to get tries on the board and a few good individual performances. That is all good for the future, and we have to keep pushing one another.

    "If you want to look what a Lion should do for his team-mates is when Mack Hansen went up and down the field and fought for his team-mates.

    "That's the sort of spirit we want."

    On Tomos Williams injury: "Tight hamstring. You don't know what these things are like. We will assess that."

  14. 'That is what a quality Lions side can do'published at 13:06 British Summer Time

    FT: Western Force 7-54 Lions

    Nic White of the Force in actionImage source, Getty Images

    Speaking to Sky Sports, Western Force captain Nic White said: "Towards the end, the Lions were able to stay at that intensity longer than us, as expected with four international sides together.

    "We thought we put them under pressure but just couldn't take some of the opportunities we had. We certainly enjoyed it a lot. We are disappointed it fell away a bit at the end but that is what a quality Lions side can do.

    "Henry Pollock was certainly up to the hype. From 50 minutes plus they kept the intensity and he came into his own. It was so exciting for our guys to go up against them and in front of a record crowd it was unbelievable.

    "There were some moments we were quite happy with but they showed their class. We did ourselves proud in the first 40-50 minutes and we will enjoy it now, we will share a jersey and a beer with them. What a way to start the tour."

  15. 'Plenty for us to work on'published at 13:00 British Summer Time

    FT: Western Force 7-54 Lions

    British and Irish Lions

    Referee Ben O'Keeffe speaks to British & Irish Lions captain Dan SheehanImage source, Getty Images

    British and Irish Lions captain Dan Sheehan, speaking to Sky Sports:"It was a really special day for me and a lot of other lads.

    "Something special and something you watch growing up and wanting to be in this jersey. Happy with that result, but there is plenty for us to work on. We started really well, but our discipline let them back in.

    "We were inaccurate with their restarts. We are still getting used to each other and those new combinations.

    "From here on in, it is coming thick and fast.

    "Every team we come up against will be hungrier than ever."

  16. Stat checkpublished at 12:56 British Summer Time

    FT: Western Force 7-54 Lions

    Possession: 55%-45%

    Carries: 145-143

    Line breaks: 8-12

    Turnovers won: 3-5

    Penalties conceded: 7-9

    Tackles made: 132-164

  17. 'We want to be a ruthless side'published at 12:53 British Summer Time

    FT: Western Force 7-54 Lions

    British and Irish Lions

    Joe McCarthy of the British & Irish Lions diveImage source, Getty Images

    British and Irish Lions lock Joe McCarthy, speaking to Sky Sports: "It was tough. A lot of kicking, Australians like to play ball and play quickly. It was great fun.

    "We felt like we had them, and they came back hard and a bit of discipline let them back into it - we will get better with it.

    "We want to be a ruthless side.

    "Plenty more to improve on.

    "I think I blew the cobwebs off - I should be flying through the tournament now."

  18. Full-time - Western Force 7-54 Lionspublished at 12:48 British Summer Time

    Job done for the Lions. An opening game victory on Australian soil.

    It all looked rather comfortable after the break but the one concern will be the injury to Tomos Williams.

    Garry Ringrose of the British Lions and Tomos WilliamsImage source, Getty Images
  19. try

    Try - Western Force 7-54 Lionspublished at 80 mins

    Alex Mitchell (con Marcus Smith)

    The Lions can raise their bat - the half century comes up.

    The structure has gone out of the game but Elliot Daly's flat pass allows Sione Tuipulotu to make the break.

    Mack Hansen carries the ball a bit further before Alex Mitchell takes it over the line. Marcus Smith adds the conversion.

  20. Postpublished at 78 mins

    Western Force 7-47 Lions

    Into the closing stages in Perth.

    The Lions are going to be deserved winners but bigger tests lie in wait.

    A solid start by Andy Farrell's side.