Western Force 7-40 Lions, 69 minutes

A high tackle on Henry Pollock earns the Lions a penalty, which Marcus Smith prods to five out. The Force just struggling to combat the pressure coming on them. Ronan Kelleher hits his jumper…

Harry Latham-Coyle28 June 2025 12:32

Western Force 7-40 Lions, 68 minutes

Slightly aimless from Marcus Smith, there, he and those outside him not on the same page as he chips across. The play beforehand had been really pleasant, too, with Elliot Daly, James Lowe and Mack Hansen again connecting well.

Ronan Kelleher has arrived, meaning a new captain for the Lions. A fine outing from Dan Sheehan, despite his side’s early ill discipline.

Harry Latham-Coyle28 June 2025 12:31

Western Force 7-40 Lions, 65 minutes

The Western Force have emptied their bench, Tiaan Tauakipulu stepping in at tighthead. The Lions are sniffing points in this final 15 minutes, keeping the intensity high defensively – Mack Hansen is unfortunate that an excellent tackle sends the ball tumbling over the touchline off his right hand.

Harry Latham-Coyle28 June 2025 12:29

Western Force 7-40 Lions, 62 minutes

Close! The Sione Tuipulotu/Huw Jones connection nearly strikes for the Lions, but Hamish Stewart somehow manages to get back and clutch an ankle just as Jones looks to have sliced through after Tuipulotu’s clever misdirection and pass.

Marcus Smith is on for the Lions – he goes to fly half with Finn Russell off. Tomos Williams, by the way, has plenty of strapping on his hamstring after that earlier injury, and gets a consoling arm around the shoulder from Pierre Schoeman.

Harry Latham-Coyle28 June 2025 12:26

Western Force 7-40 Lions, 61 minutes

Or, at the very least, earn a penalty which Finn Russell boots down to the corner.

Harry Latham-Coyle28 June 2025 12:23

Western Force 7-40 Lions, 60 minutes

Dan Sheehan is still out there trucking on, Ronan Kelleher made to wait for another Lions appearance with the rest of the bench forwards emptied. The Lions feel like they can score with every touch – and a knock-on from replacement Western Force scrum half Henry Robertson will give them a chance to set a platform at the scrum.

Harry Latham-Coyle28 June 2025 12:23

Western Force 7-40 Lions, 57 minutes

Henry Pollock has stayed scrummaging at No 8 even with Jack Conan introduced, the bulkier Irishman perhaps providing extra mass through the back of Will Stuart.

Huw Jones is on for a Lions debut – the Scottish centre immediately plucks an intercept but can’t retrieve his hack ahead.

Harry Latham-Coyle28 June 2025 12:20

TRY! Western Force 7-40 LIONS (Joe McCarthy, 55 minutes)

The Lions open things up again! This is turning into a bit of a romp, and Henry Pollock is loving it, back from the bin and showing off his footballing skills with a chip and chase.

Support arrives just in time to reload possession and exploit the space left on the far side, where lumbering Joe McCarthy has the simple job of gathering and grounding a loopy wide pass.

(Getty Images)

Harry Latham-Coyle28 June 2025 12:17

Western Force 7-33 Lions, 54 minutes

Andrew Porter and Will Stuart have certainly made this Lions team more hirstute, each with a great mop of hair bouncing around the back of their necks and moustaches on show, too. They combine to do some damage, throwing a Western Force carrier out of the nightclub.

Harry Latham-Coyle28 June 2025 12:16

TRY! Western Force 7-33 LIONS (Garry Ringrose, 52 minutes)

The Lions strut their stuff again! Too good, this time, for a tiring Western Force defence on the edges, sharp hands from Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu and Elliot Daly linking the chain out to Mack Hansen on the wide outside. His basketball toss over the top allows Garry Ringrose to stride in untouched. Those midfield connections are really starting to click.

Harry Latham-Coyle28 June 2025 12:14