"An emphatic marker" - Three Lions players who played their way into the test team

Rugby News
Saturday, 12 July 2025 at 14:52
Three Lions players impressed enough to earn Test selection after a dominant 48-0 victory over an Australia-New Zealand Invitational XV in their final warm-up match.


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#1. Hugo Keenan

Rugby Pass 8/10: "Needed a good showing after a shaky return to play last week against the Waratahs, particularly as Blair Kinghorn’s unavailability is still in question. Was sharp to take a quick lineout after a kick went out on the full, creating the Lions’ opening try. Seemed back to his normal self, patrolling the backfield and joining the line to great effect with perfect decision-making."
Telegraph 8/10: "Bounced back from ropey performance against the Waratahs with a real classy display. Quick thinking led to Van der Merwe’s first try and he was decisive in attack."
FloRugby 8/10: "Looked composed and classy from minute one. Set up a try with a quick-thinking line-out and contributed to several scores with slick distribution. Provided crucial cover for van der Merwe’s defensive lapses. With Kinghorn injured, Keenan has all but nailed down the test 15 jersey."

#2. Huw Jones

Telegraph 8/10: "Probably the player who has most improved his reputation on this tour. Some brilliant attacking lines, a strong sense of anticipation and silky distribution."
Planet Rugby 8/10: "Another exciting performance from the Scottish midfielder who found routes in behind the AUNZ defence and linked up wonderfully with Sione Tuipulotu, which is a given at this point. He led the way in terms of metres gained while on the pitch and put in a brilliant attacking kick after a stellar one-handed pick-up."
FloRugby 8/10: "Alert and aggressive from the outset. A smart read in minute 16 led to a massive break. Defended stoutly, forcing a knock-on in minute 24, and made another incisive line break in the 29th. Subbed early, possibly due to being test-ready. Looks assured and in Farrell’s thinking."

#3. Ben Earl

Telegraph 9/10: "Emptied the tank once again, acting as the Lions focal carrying point racking up 79 metres in the process. Cannot have done any more to press his case."
Planet Rugby 9/10: "Huge in the carry and just as effective in defence in an impressive shift that included a couple of turnovers too. He needed this kind of performance, considering the strength in depth in the back-row but the Englishman was superb and really pressed his case. He was right up there with Van der Merwe in metres gained and was dominant throughout his game. Named Player of the Match despite Van der Merwe’s hat-trick and rightly so. He hammered down an emphatic marker."
Flo Rugby 8/10: "Energetic and explosive, Earl was a standout in open play. Racked up 71 metres from 14 carries and made two turnovers. Line speed was excellent, though he missed four tackles, which could hurt his test case. Regardless, his impact with the ball in hand is undeniable and valuable."

EDITORS PICKS:

Four Lions stars who flopped against AUNZ XV

RUCK’s Lions content is powered by ISUZU.

#1. Pierre Schoeman

Schoeman impressed in open play with strong carries and physicality but struggled at the scrum, conceding multiple free kicks for poor technique. His inconsistency at set-piece remains a key issue as test selection nears.
FloRugby 4/10: "Got busy in the loose as he got on the ball for some big rumbles. His shaky work at scrum time is what is holding him back, as he conceded a few free kicks for not driving straight. Schoeman offered solid carries and physicality in open play, but his inconsistency at the set-piece remains a concern as test selection draws nearer."

#2. Luke Cowan-Dickie

Cowan-Dickie combined aggressive breakdown work with costly technical flaws, including an early line-out overthrow and an injury from a reckless low tackle. His physical presence was notable, but errors undermined his impact with him now ruled out of next week's series opener.


FloRugby 4/10: "Line-out overthrow in minute four dented a decent start. Exceptionally physical around the breakdown, notably clearing out two defenders to allow Ben White's try. His injury in the 36th minute was the result of his notorious low-tackling technique, raising concerns again. A mixed bag, combining aggression with costly technical flaws."

#3. Fin Smith

Smith showed resilience under pressure but lacked influence overall. He missed key opportunities, including a kick and defensive lapse, and didn’t do enough to secure a bench role ahead of the First Test.
BALLS 6/10: "Overcooked an early garryowen into the AUNZ 22. Opposition were finding him on their carries, but he never backed down. Missed Tuipulotu on a strong carry. Did not do enough to rubber-stamp a bench spot for the First Test."
RUCK 5/10: "So often a reliable option at fly-half, Northampton’s Smith had an off night in Adelaide. A couple of simple missed kicks and a lack of real effect in this game mean Andy Farrell could look at his more versatile options – Marcus Smith or Owen Farrell – to back up Finn Russell in Brisbane."

#4. Will Stuart

Stuart’s scrummaging issues continued, drawing multiple penalties and leading to an early substitution. While his defensive effort was solid, limited impact in attack and persistent technical faults are hurting his test prospects.


FloRugby 3/10: "Similar to Schoeman, the Bath tighthead is trailing in the test pecking order due to inconsistent scrummaging. Penalised several times for collapsing or instability. Showed effort in open play, but his early substitution tells the story. Needs a statement performance to regain footing in selection talks."
BALLS 5/10: "Scrum was steady enough, without having a clear edge. Conceded a penalty for offside. Stuck 10 tackles but only made one carry, for little change."

Quiz Title: Most Points for the British & Irish Lions in Test Matches

Introduction:
Think you know your Lions legends? ?
Test your rugby knowledge by naming the players who have scored the most points for the British & Irish Lions in test matches. These are the top scorers from historic tours—can you remember them all?
You have 5 minutes.
Good luck!
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