Player Ratings: British and Irish Lions

OPINION: British and Irish player ratings: Andy Farrell’s British and Irish Lions bounced back from their loss to Argentina last week, defeating the Western Force 54-7 in Perth to register their first win of 2025.

Following the defeat to the Pumas, the much-changed squad that lined up against the Force knew there was a chance to stake a claim for a Test spot, and many took that opportunity.

On to the Reds on Wednesday in Brisbane, where the players will be aware that the bar has been raised by this performance.

Here’s how the players rated:

15. Elliot Daly – 8.5
All round complete display from the Lions veteran. His booming left boot was a handy pressure-release, particularly in the opening quarter. Had one missed tackle when joining the line in defence, with the Force finding some success down the Lions’ right flank, but equally linked with Mack Hansen well going forward down that same side with some graceful handling. Bagged a try by supporting a Finn Russell break in the first half and was on Marcus Smith’s shoulder to secure his second late on.

14. Mack Hansen – 7
Could have been in trouble for a questionable tackle on Ben Donaldson in the build-up to the Force’s try, in what was not an overly convincing defensive display. A lot more solid in attack, particularly when being on the end of a Finn Russell chip and an assist for a Garry Ringrose try. Even then, there were handling errors in his display. Can be forgiven as he’s played little rugby over the last two months and his second-half performance was far, far better.

13. Garry Ringrose – 7
Flew out the line on a number of occasions to put in some trademark shots, but left his side exposed at times defensively as the Force were able cut through the disjointed Lions defence soon after their first try. That was maybe some overexuberance on his Lions debut, as his timing when rushing out the line improved. Bagged a try shortly before leaving the field on 55 minutes.

12. Sione Tuipulotu – 7.5
Penalised early on for being offside as ill-discipline ran rife through the Lions side. Thereafter assured in the midfield, proving to be a reliable option on Finn Russell’s shoulder, but embellished his display with some deft passes and kicks.

11. James Lowe – 8
After the Lions wingers stuttered against the Pumas last week, Lowe made quite an impression with this display. Came off his wing to operate as a first-receiver early on and delivered two world-class assists for Dan Sheehan’s and Tomos Williams’ tries. Maybe didn’t see as much of the ball as he would have wanted, but made an impression when he did.

10. Finn Russell – 8.5
The pressure that comes with the Lions jersey in no way weighed heavily on the fly-half, as he was able to play his natural game. Whether a cross-field kick for the Lions opener, long whipped passes, short no-look passes or chips over the Force defence, everything seemed to come off. Quick thinking to tap when lining up a kick to touch to set up the Lions’ third was yet another example of his pinpoint decision-making. Almost perfect from the tee as well.

9. Tomos Williams – 8
Decisive and accurate in both his passing and kicking, the Gallagher Premiership player of the year moved ahead of Alex Mitchell in the No.9 pecking order with this display. Two tries to his name – one being on hand after a Henry Pollock break and the second combining with James Lowe – capped a great game. Worrying signs, though, as he limped from the field with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

1. Pierre Schoeman – 6.5
Mobile around the field and got through plenty of work with ball in hand and in defence with 11 tackles in under 50 minutes. Maybe didn’t gain the dominance in the scrum he, and his pack, would have wanted.

2. Dan Sheehan – 7
Dream start for the captain on his Lions debut, receiving a cross-field kick before a back-and-forth with Lowe saw him saunter over the line. A big attacking contribution in what was otherwise a quiet display in that department, but led from the front with his defence, making 12 tackles.

3. Tadhg Furlong – 6
Having had little game time in 2025, the end goal is to get the Ireland tighthead at full fitness in the Test series and this was a positive step in the right direction after a cameo from the bench against Argentina. Solid, but not at his best in what was a tiring game. Likewise, solid in the scrum, but failed to gain any ascendancy.

4. Scott Cummings – 5.5
Failed to reclaim the restart after the Lions scored their opener, allowing the Force to bounce back immediately with a try of their own, and failed to reclaim the second-half kick-off too. Industrious defensive game with 12 tackles during 50 minutes on the field, but another player was guilty of a couple of penalties.

5. Joe McCarthy – 8.5
Guilty of a side entry in a maul, but bounced back with a rip at another just five metres from his line. Not the only vital intervention in his own 22, as he reached over the pluck the ball with a crucial turnover as well. Oppressive defensive display topped an eye-catching match, which also included a try to go with some aggressive carries. Massive statement for a starting berth. 15 carries and 17 tackles – monumental.

6. Tadhg Beirne – 6
Shifted to the back-row this week after a start at second-row last week, which, in turn, strengthened the lineout significantly after some problems against the Pumas. Busy in the tight but appeared to be on the wrong side of Ben O’Keeffe’s whistle early on, giving away two breakdown penalties to trigger a contagion of penalties.

7. Josh van der Flier – 7.5
Did a lot of work on his debut that may not necessarily get the plaudits – his offload for a Pollock break and long pass for McCarthy’s try being perfect examples of that. A match-leading 20 tackles was immense.

8. Henry Pollock – 8
Linked perfectly with van der Flier to burst through the Force defence, before popping the ball to Williams for the Lions’ second try. His dynamism was a real point of difference, particularly carrying the ball outside Russell, playing a similar role at No.8 to his compatriot Ben Earl. Brought everything people expect from the 20-year-old, all energy and fired up, but had a few sloppy errors in his game though – a knock-on, a yellow card and a lazy pass to Lowe on his own line that the Leinster star bailed him out with.

Replacements
16. Ronan Kelleher – 7
Popped up with some flashy carries during his 15 minutes on the field, and the Lions bench added some extra impetus.

17. Andrew Porter – 7.5
Provided more dominance in the scrum than his predecessor, winning a penalty. Was eager to put in some bone-shuddering shots as well.

18. Will Stuart – 7.5
Enjoyed one scrum where he was basically sprinting towards the Force line, although he was not rewarded with a penalty.

19. Ollie Chessum – 7
The England lock will be gunning for a starting berth for the Lions, but showed his worth from the bench on his debut, bringing a work rate in the engine room that the Force bench could not match, with some powerful carries in there too. Offside penalty was maybe a sign of being too eager, though.

20. Jack Conan – 6
Provided a different dimension to Pollock at No.8, carrying the ball in different areas of the field, but maybe failed to make an impact on the game in the way he would have wanted, with a penalty to his name.

21. Alex Mitchell – 7.5
With the win secured by the time he came on for the injured Williams on 47 minutes, the Englishman maintained the side’s superiority without needing to do anything too flashy himself. Finished the match with a try of his own, supporting a Hansen break.

22. Huw Jones – 7
Made his return after missing the tail end of Glasgow’s season, but there were no signs of rustiness as he immediately provided more fluency to the backline as he reformed his formidable centre partnership with Tuipulotu.

23. Marcus Smith – 7
There was plenty of curiosity as to which position the Englishman would play from the bench, and it turned out to be at fly-half. Looked more comfortable there than he did at full-back last week, and has a good rapport with Mitchell and that showed as he picked apart a ragged Force defence for Daly’s second try.