The British and Irish lions began their 2025 Australian tour in emphatic style, dispatching Western force with a commanding 54-7 victory at Perth’s Optus Stadium. This comprehensive win saw the Lions run in eight tries, offering both exciting attacking glimpses and exposing areas requiring swift attention ahead of sterner challenges. While the scoreboard painted a picture of complete dominance, particularly in a rampant second half, the match provided valuable insights for coach Andy Farrell and his squad, highlighting both individual brilliance and lingering team challenges like discipline.
A Tale of Two Halves: Force Frustration Meets Lions Ruthlessness
The opening 40 minutes offered an unexpected narrative twist. Despite ultimately conceding a high score, Western Force delivered a confident performance that belied their Super Rugby form. Playing before a record Perth rugby crowd of 46,656, the home side enjoyed significant spells of territory and possession, frequently testing the Lions’ defence deep within their own 22.
Early on, the Lions struggled with their discipline. They conceded four penalties within the first ten minutes, prompting a warning from the referee. This ill-discipline allowed the Force to build pressure. Following captain Dan Sheehan’s early try, set up by a pinpoint Finn Russell cross-kick and James Lowe offload, the Force responded almost immediately. Their skipper, Nic White, darted over from close range after a sustained 14-phase attack, leveling the scores at 7-7 and suggesting a tighter contest than the final result indicated.
However, despite their territorial advantage and numerous entries into the Lions’ scoring zone, the Force proved profligate. They failed to convert multiple opportunities, including close-range lineouts. The Lions, in stark contrast, demonstrated a clinical edge. When they managed to break the Force’s siege, they were devastatingly effective. Tomos Williams crossed for the first of his two tries following a breakout engineered by Josh van der Flier and Henry Pollock. Elliot Daly then added another score just before the break, capitalising on a quick tap penalty from the ever-alert Finn Russell. These moments of ruthless finishing meant the Lions held a 21-7 lead at halftime, a scoreline many felt didn’t fully reflect the flow of the challenging first period.
Second Half Surge: Lions Power Blows Force Away
The second half saw a dramatic shift in momentum. It became an exhibition of the British and Irish Lions’ power, pace, and depth. As the Western Force visibly tired, the tourists found their rhythm and unleashed a relentless attacking display, scoring 44 unanswered points.
Even a yellow card for flanker Henry Pollock shortly before halftime, compounding the Lions’ disciplinary woes, couldn’t halt their second-half charge. Moments after the restart, while still down to 14 men, the Lions produced perhaps the try of the match. Starting deep within their own territory, a superb sequence involving Mack Hansen and James Lowe led to Tomos Williams finishing a breathtaking breakaway score for his second try. Tragically, Williams appeared to suffer a hamstring injury during the act of scoring, a significant concern casting a shadow over the dominant performance.
The scoring spree continued unabated. Garry Ringrose crossed for the fifth try after good work from Hansen. Powerful lock Joe McCarthy, who had an impressive outing and was later named Player of the Match, crashed over for the sixth. Russell added the conversion to bring up the 40-point mark. Elliot Daly completed his brace with the seventh try, showcasing his positional awareness and finishing ability. Replacement scrum-half Alex Mitchell then put the final exclamation mark on the scoreline, touching down in the final act of the game to bring the Lions’ tally to 54 points.
Standout Performers and Emerging Concerns
Several players pressed their claims for Test selection with strong performances. Lock Joe McCarthy was a physical presence throughout, providing powerful carries and anchoring the scrum, earning deserved recognition as Player of the Match. Debutant Henry Pollock, the youngest member of the squad, impressed with his athleticism and ability to create opportunities, despite his first-half yellow card. His bursts and offloads were central to two early tries.
Fly-half Finn Russell demonstrated his trademark vision and creativity. His cross-field kick for the opening try and quick-tap penalty for Daly’s first score highlighted his unique ability to unlock defences. Elliot Daly showed his versatility and reliability at full-back, handling high balls well and contributing two well-taken tries. Dan Sheehan led the team with energy, scoring the opening try and contributing effectively in the loose.
However, the performance was not without its concerns. The persistent penalty count in the first half was a clear area for improvement, something both coaches and players acknowledged. Issues with restarts and lineout precision also require urgent attention according to post-match comments.
Worrying Injury for Key Scrum-Half
The most significant setback was the suspected hamstring injury to scrum-half Tomos Williams. Having scored two tries and dictated tempo effectively before his injury, Williams was positioning himself as a strong contender for the crucial number nine jersey in the Test series. His potential absence immediately prompted concerns about scrum-half depth within the squad. While Jamison Gibson-Park is expected to return from a glute injury for the next match, the Lions may need to consider flying out reinforcements like Ben White or Jack van Poortvliet depending on the severity of Williams’ injury. Coach Andy Farrell described it initially as a “tight hamstring,” hoping it might just be cramp, but the visual signs were worrying.
Looking Ahead: Lessons Learned on Australian Soil
Coach Andy Farrell reflected on the match, acknowledging the first-half challenges where Western Force “took it to us” and capitalised on the Lions’ indiscipline. He praised the team’s improved composure and defensive intensity in the second half, which he felt forced errors and created scoring opportunities. Farrell described the team as “new-ish” with many players getting their first run-out on tour, emphasizing the ongoing process of building cohesion.
Captain Dan Sheehan echoed the sentiment, calling it a “special day” to play in front of such a large crowd but admitting there was “plenty for us to work on.” He specifically mentioned discipline and accuracy, especially with restarts, as areas needing improvement as new combinations gelled. Joe McCarthy added that the team needed to be more “ruthless” and that the game was a “taste of what’s to come” against quick Australian teams.
Western Force captain Nic White felt the final score didn’t fully reflect their effort, believing they put the Lions under pressure for the first fifty minutes. He acknowledged the challenge of maintaining intensity against an international side and praised the experience for his young team.
The match served its purpose as a vital warm-up fixture, providing players with game time and allowing coaching staff to assess combinations and readiness. While the winning margin was substantial and demonstrated the Lions’ attacking potential and bench strength, the first-half struggles and the injury to Tomos Williams provided clear pointers for the squad as they prepare for their next fixture against the Queensland Reds and ultimately the Test series against the Wallabies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score in the Lions vs Western Force rugby match?
The British and Irish Lions defeated Western Force with a final score of 54-7. The Lions scored eight tries and six conversions, while Western Force managed one try and one conversion.
Which players scored tries for the British and Irish Lions against Western Force?
The eight tries for the British and Irish Lions were scored by Dan Sheehan (1), Tomos Williams (2), Elliot Daly (2), Garry Ringrose (1), Joe McCarthy (1), and Alex Mitchell (1).
Did any key British and Irish Lions players get injured against Western Force?
Yes, a significant injury concern for the British and Irish Lions arose when scrum-half Tomos Williams appeared to suffer a hamstring injury after scoring his second try in the second half. His status for future matches on the tour was immediately in doubt, potentially requiring changes to the squad’s scrum-half options.
