Lions Roar Past Force but Face Scrumhalf Setback in Aussie Tour Opener
What a match it was in Perth! The British & Irish Lions launched their 2025 Australian tour with a thunderous 54–7 victory over the Western Force, lighting up Optus Stadium with eight tries in front of a record-breaking crowd of 46,656. But while the scoreboard tells the story of dominance, the post-match conversations have revolved just as much around injuries and squad depth as they have around highlight-reel rugby.
Tomos Williams, the Welsh scrumhalf, was in top form—diving over for two tries and pulling the strings in attack with the precision you’d expect from a Test veteran. But in a cruel twist, he pulled up lame with a left hamstring injury during his second try in the 47th minute. You could see the pain as he limped off the pitch, and just like that, the Lions' No.9 depth became a hot topic.
Coach Andy Farrell, though, remained calm under pressure. He’s not hitting the panic button—yet. Jamison Gibson-Park, recovering from a recent glute strain, is expected to be fit for Wednesday night’s clash against the Queensland Reds. If he passes the fitness test, that would leave Alex Mitchell and Gibson-Park to share duties while Williams is assessed further. Ben White is another option, currently with Scotland in New Zealand, and could be summoned if needed. But for now, Farrell is holding off on the SOS call.
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“We’ve got to give Tomos’ injury time to settle,” Farrell said after the game. “Jamison’s been training all week and looks ready. We’re confident, but we’ll do what’s best for the group when the time comes.”
Despite the injury setback, the Lions had plenty to smile about—especially young No.8 Henry Pollock. Only 20 years old, but already playing with flair and confidence well beyond his years. His off-the-cuff style of play and blistering speed stood out, particularly during a sensational chip-and-chase that set up a second-half try for Joe McCarthy. Stand-in captain Dan Sheehan called Pollock “brilliant,” highlighting how his unique approach adds something special to the forward pack.
But it wasn’t a flawless performance. The Force actually dominated possession and territory in the first half, and the Lions' scrum didn’t impose itself the way many expected. Kick-off receptions were another shaky area, and discipline—especially just before halftime when Pollock was yellow-carded—left room for improvement. Farrell acknowledged it openly, saying the team got “a bit lateral” and too tidy in their attack at times.
Still, you can’t argue with the result. A five-try blitz in the second half buried any hopes the Force had of a comeback, and by the time Alex Mitchell crossed for the final try in the 80th minute, it was clear the Lions are only just getting started.
They now move to Brisbane to face the Reds, with questions around scrumhalf depth and consistency in execution still hanging. But if the Lions can continue to polish their play while managing injuries smartly, this tour could turn into something truly special.
Let’s just hope that Williams' hamstring doesn’t keep him sidelined for long—because on a night filled with flair, it was his spark that lit the fire early on.
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