Andy Farrell’s men will now head to Sydney, where on Saturday they’ll take on the New South Wales Waratahs.
The touring side will be looking to continue building momentum ahead of the first Test on July 19. However, like last Saturday, they enter a new Australian city carrying some injury concerns.
RUCK’s Lions content is powered by ISUZU.
Daly a Concern at Fullback
Elliot Daly, a late inclusion in the starting XV against the Reds after Hugo Keenan withdrew due to illness, featured in his 11th consecutive Lions game.
Before kickoff, Daly looked to be leading the race for the starting No. 15 jersey in the opening Test. However, after leaving the field holding his left arm by his side, that prospect is beginning to fade.
Blair Kinghorn is now expected to start at fullback, giving him his first appearance as a British & Irish Lion. He arrived on Monday after helping Toulouse clinch the Bouclier de Brennus last weekend.
That leaves a question mark over Hugo Keenan, who—like Kinghorn—has yet to feature on this tour. He may be named on the bench, but time is running out for him to stake a claim.
Lowe and Hansen Back on the Wings
On Wednesday, it seemed Duhan van der Merwe might be playing himself out of Test contention after a subpar performance, despite scoring in the corner. Conversely, Tommy Freeman had a solid debut Down Under and is expected to be rested.
This paves the way for Mack Hansen and James Lowe to get another opportunity on the wings. With no clear frontrunners yet for the 11 and 14 jerseys, both Irishmen have a chance to make a strong case against the Waratahs.
All-Scottish Midfield Taking Shape
Bundee Aki struggled to make an impact against the Reds, and it’s becoming clear that Farrell is shaping his centre pairing around Sione Tuipulotu.
Expect Tuipulotu to be partnered with Huw Jones against New South Wales, while Gary Ringrose may be named on the bench.
Smith Set to Start at Fly-Half
After two consecutive starts, Finn Russell will be rested this weekend, opening the door for Fin Smith to earn his first start since the Argentina clash two weeks ago.
Jamison Gibson-Park is likely to retain the No. 9 jersey, with Ben White coming in as backup.
Genge In, Stuart Out in Front Row Shake-Up
Will Stuart will want to move on quickly from his disappointing display against the Reds, missing a chance to capitalize on Tadhg Furlong’s recent lack of form.
Furlong gets another shot at tighthead, while Ellis Genge is in line for his first start of the tour. Neither Pierre Schoeman nor Andrew Porter has matched Genge’s intensity so far.
Dan Sheehan returns to start at hooker, with Luke Cowan-Dickie named on the bench.
Second Row Partnership Coming Together
Captain Maro Itoje impressed on Wednesday and is expected to start again—this time alongside Joe McCarthy, his likely Test partner in the second row.
Double Openside Combination Returns
Jack Conan, the squad’s only natural No. 8, should keep his place after a decent performance against the Reds. He’ll be flanked by opensides Henry Pollock and Josh van der Flier.
Predicted Lions XV vs Waratahs
- Ellis Genge
- Dan Sheehan
- Tadhg Furlong
- Maro Itoje (c)
- Joe McCarthy
- Josh van der Flier
- Henry Pollock
- Jack Conan
- Jamison Gibson-Park
- Fin Smith
- James Lowe
- Sione Tuipulotu
- Huw Jones
- Mack Hansen
- Blair Kinghorn
Four Lions players who flopped against the Reds
Some Lions roared — others whimpered. Here's the breakdown of who boosted their Test stock and who sent it plummeting.
? Duhan Van Der Meh
When fast and loose turns into just loose.
RUCK 5.5/10:
"Van der Merwe was very suspect especially in defence with some key moments when he looked well off the pace. In attack he just looked very one dimensional and looked nowhere near his usual standard we’re used to."
"Van der Merwe was very suspect especially in defence with some key moments when he looked well off the pace. In attack he just looked very one dimensional and looked nowhere near his usual standard we’re used to."
Rugby Pass 5/10:
"The Reds exploited his slowness to turn with some probing kicks and he was nearly made to pay for a casual one-handed gather when under pressure on his own try line.
"The Reds exploited his slowness to turn with some probing kicks and he was nearly made to pay for a casual one-handed gather when under pressure on his own try line.
"It took 14 minutes before he received his first pass and was largely anonymous as an attacker until the game started to break up. Nice finish for the Lions’ third try atoned for some of his backfield errors, but was overshadowed by his fellow winger Freeman."
FLO Rugby 3/10:
"Firmly on the back foot for a test spot, the powerhouse Scottish winger does not look comfortable in the Lions’ system. Unlike Scotland, where his strike running ability is a key focal point, in Andy Farrell’s system, more is expected of wingers to go looking for work.
"Firmly on the back foot for a test spot, the powerhouse Scottish winger does not look comfortable in the Lions’ system. Unlike Scotland, where his strike running ability is a key focal point, in Andy Farrell’s system, more is expected of wingers to go looking for work.
"Throw into the mix his struggles in the air, rather reckless one-handed grab of a ball behind his own line and brutally poor positioning for the Reds’ second try by Josh Flook, and it is tough to see Farrell trusting him on the big occasions. Overall, it was a fast and loose showing from van der Merwe, who did score a try, albeit it was a simple run-in."
? Hooked on a Feeling (of Meh)
Ronan Kelleher struggles to keep pace.
RUCK 5/10:
"The Lions on a whole were lacklustre with their discipline especially with handling errors and Kelleher just wasn’t clicking with the Lions’ attacking pace which only added to the penalty count. Provided decent throw-ins to the lineout, which aided the Lions’ attack."
"The Lions on a whole were lacklustre with their discipline especially with handling errors and Kelleher just wasn’t clicking with the Lions’ attacking pace which only added to the penalty count. Provided decent throw-ins to the lineout, which aided the Lions’ attack."
RUGBY PASS 5.5/10:
"Ireland’s hooker was certainly not the only player guilty of costly handling errors but the one that he spilt from Jones’ pass was particularly bad given it looked easier for the Lions to score. Also missed his first lineout throw and never really got going as a ball carrier. Clocked up the tackles though and can’t be faulted for his effort."
"Ireland’s hooker was certainly not the only player guilty of costly handling errors but the one that he spilt from Jones’ pass was particularly bad given it looked easier for the Lions to score. Also missed his first lineout throw and never really got going as a ball carrier. Clocked up the tackles though and can’t be faulted for his effort."
FLO RUGBY 5/10:
"Rugby’s equivalent of a mix’n’pick, Kelleher’s performance was a combination of the good and bad. Getting pressured at line-out time by the Reds’ jumpers, Kelleher’s susceptibility to overcompensating as he has done with Ireland only makes matters worse in this department.
"Rugby’s equivalent of a mix’n’pick, Kelleher’s performance was a combination of the good and bad. Getting pressured at line-out time by the Reds’ jumpers, Kelleher’s susceptibility to overcompensating as he has done with Ireland only makes matters worse in this department.
"In open play, Kelleher was exceptional in both the carry and around the breakdown. One caveat to add was that Kelleher appeared a touch fatigued, which is unsurprising given he has played in all three matches thus far."
? Curry Lacking Flavour
England flanker looks stuck in second gear.
RUGBY PASS 5/10:
"Well below his usual world-class standards. Dropped passes and dropped off a couple of tackles, although he did link up well at times in the wide channels."
"Well below his usual world-class standards. Dropped passes and dropped off a couple of tackles, although he did link up well at times in the wide channels."
FLO RUGBY 4.5/10:
"Caught between two stools in a system that is more accustomed to a bigger six, Curry has yet to look comfortable in a role that requires constant big carries.
"Caught between two stools in a system that is more accustomed to a bigger six, Curry has yet to look comfortable in a role that requires constant big carries.
"Losing two balls in the first half with knock-ons and generally just lacking the impact he brings in the England set-up, it’ll be interesting to see if he gets a run at openside in the upcoming fixtures."
RUCK 5.5/10:
"Curry was, to put it simply, relatively decent. He struggled to click in attack with errors creeping in to the Englishman’s performance. In defence he was again solid he just never really had the chance to grab the headlines or impact the game in any major way."
"Curry was, to put it simply, relatively decent. He struggled to click in attack with errors creeping in to the Englishman’s performance. In defence he was again solid he just never really had the chance to grab the headlines or impact the game in any major way."
? Stuart’s Sloppy Shift
A rough ride for the Bath tighthead.
FLO RUGBY 4/10:
"Not the outing the Bath star would’ve hoped for at scrum time. In conjunction with Porter, Stuart was pinged for a few costly penalties that relieved pressure on the Reds. In open play, Stuart routinely looked to get involved but had a few errors, namely knock-ons, when running support lines. Coughing up a sloppy penalty in the 47th minute with a high tackle summed up Stuart’s outing, which was his third penalty of the day."
"Not the outing the Bath star would’ve hoped for at scrum time. In conjunction with Porter, Stuart was pinged for a few costly penalties that relieved pressure on the Reds. In open play, Stuart routinely looked to get involved but had a few errors, namely knock-ons, when running support lines. Coughing up a sloppy penalty in the 47th minute with a high tackle summed up Stuart’s outing, which was his third penalty of the day."
RUCK 4.5/10:
"Stuart looked massively off the pace for the majority of his time on the field. Three penalties conceded and numerous mistakes at scrum time and also with ball in hand, Stuart failed to impress on any level."
"Stuart looked massively off the pace for the majority of his time on the field. Three penalties conceded and numerous mistakes at scrum time and also with ball in hand, Stuart failed to impress on any level."
RUGBY PASS 4.5/10:
"Failed in his audition for the Lions No.3 jersey despite going into the match in a rich vein of form. Gave away an early scrum penalty, handing the Reds a cheap out and also gave away a ‘coach-killer’ penalty when he illegally stripped the ball on the floor. Compounded that with a tired-looking high shot in the second half, which earned him a third penalty. Hooked after 50 minutes."
"Failed in his audition for the Lions No.3 jersey despite going into the match in a rich vein of form. Gave away an early scrum penalty, handing the Reds a cheap out and also gave away a ‘coach-killer’ penalty when he illegally stripped the ball on the floor. Compounded that with a tired-looking high shot in the second half, which earned him a third penalty. Hooked after 50 minutes."
QUIZ: Can you name the 2013 British & Irish Lions squad?
Think you’re a true rugby nut? It's time to put your Lions knowledge to the test.
12 years have passed since Warren Gatland’s men roared to a famous series win over Australia, but how well do you really remember the iconic 2013 British & Irish Lions squad?
From legendary leaders to surprise selections, we’ve lined up every player from that unforgettable tour. All you have to do is name them. No pressure, right?
Take the quiz below and prove your rugby brain still bites.
? Scroll down and get cracking – how many can you get without cheating?
TRENDING
LATEST NEWS
LATEST COMMENTS
Loading