British and Irish Lions v Western Force 2025 — as it happened

The good and the bad news revolved around Tomas Williams, the Welsh scrum half who played superbly but who injured a leg finishing off a regal try.

• Read in full

Speaking to Sky Sports, Lions coach Andy Farrell said: “In some respects [Lions were hungrier], but a new team and it’s the same from this week as last week.

“Our discipline in the first half was not good, when we gained our composure in the second half we were able to be nice and calm and our defence improved out of sight.

“We were able to force errors and score tries off the back of it.

“Lets be honest, the Force took it to us there, they played tough. We kept them in good positions through our mistakes.

“We’re up and running, and we’ll keep pushing each other forward.

“We’ll assess Tomos Williams in the morning, it’s a hamstring, you don’t know what these things are like.”

Speaking to Sky Sports, British & Irish Lions lock Joe McCarthy said: “It was tough. A lot of kicking, Australians like to play ball and play quickly. It was great fun.

“We felt like we had them, and they came back hard and a bit of discipline let them back into it – we will get better with it.

“We want to be a ruthless side. Plenty more to improve on.”

Will Kelleher, in Perth

Joe McCarthy has made a fine impression here. He is the official man of the match.

The Australian commentators are raving about him, and you can see why. He is a hefty bloke, but has shown lovely hands to flick passes away too. It has always felt like the Lions are looking for the partner to Maro Itoje in the second-row, particularly as we assume they will pick a “big six” — Tadhg Beirne — on the flank.

Ollie Chessum will probably have his chance to start against the Queensland Reds, but will have to play exceptionally well to outdo McCarthy’s performance here in Perth.

With the clock in the red, Mack Hansen breaks, before taking the easy pass to replacement scrum half Alex Mitchell to jog in under the posts. Marcus Smith adds the extras to give the Lions a 54-7 win.

Much better from the Lions this weekend. Their handling has been great, and while the eight tries falls just short of the nine that they put on the Force during the 2013 tour, it is still a big improvement on last week.

As we head into the final ten minutes, the Lions close in on 50 points with another try from Elliot Daly. Some great work from the forwards drew in most of the Force defence, and a neat move from Marcus Smith opened a gap for Daly to exploit and dot down.

Alex Lowe, in Perth

Scotland arrived in New Zealand yesterday. The Lions will have to call up Ben White. They cannot risk going into the Queensland Reds game with only two fit scrum halves, even if Gibson-White is clear to start the game in Brisbane.

All it would need would be for him to pull up in the warm-up and Marcus Smith would be covering scrum half. White is actually closer to Brisbane than the Lions are. There are two direct flights to Brisbane from Auckland on Sunday — a 4.30am and a 1.30pm.

Will Kelleher, in Perth

Pollock enjoyed that Tomos Williams try from the sin-bin! Great counter attack from the Lions, who lack a bit of outright pace, but still were clinical enough to score from their own 22.

The Lions have built what looks to be an unassailable 40-7 lead as we approach the hour mark. Two quick tries from Garry Ringrose and Joe McCarthy, both making their Lions debuts today, have put the result beyond doubt.

Alex Lowe, in Perth

Big decision for the Lions to make tonight after Tomos Williams injured his hamstring scoring a cracker of a try. Jamison Gibson-Park is due to be fit for Wednesday’s game — but it would be a major surprise if Williams was ready. The Lions cannot carry one injured scrum half and one doubtful scrum half. Scotland’s Ben White is the most likely call-up. Jack van Poortvliet trained with the Lions in Dublin — but he is in Argentina.

It was a lovely try too with some silky handling between Hansen, Lowe and Williams. He dives for the corner and immediately reaches for his left hamstring. Williams has been one of the best players so far this tour. He was removed immediately and the medics applied an ice pack. Tadhg Furlong has gone over to give him a hug. Marcus Smith checked on him too.

Stuart Barnes

In the first five minutes of the second half, Grealy is breaking the gain line with every carry — same with Dylan Pietsch. The rest has been pretty underwhelming.

That’s a second try for Tomos Williams, and it was a brilliant one. An interchange with James Lowe on a counterattack ends with the scrum half diving over to dot the ball down in the corner. A worrying sign though as he stands up holding the back of his leg. Let’s hope he is not injured. In any case he is immediately replaced by Alex Mitchell.

Back underway in Perth. Lions start the half a man down after Henry Pollock’s sin bin shortly before the break.

Elgan Alderman

Joe McCarthy has impressed, the Lions’ ability to catch a restart less so. And after excellent discipline against Argentina, they have not been in Ben O’Keeffe’s good books.

Alex Lowe, in Perth

The lions honoured Ian “Mighty Mouse” McLauchlan before kick-off, following the recent death of the great prop.

Will Kelleher, in Perth

Pollock yellow is down to the general warning issued by Ben O’Keefe about 25mins ago. But we are closing in on the full house in Pollock bingo. Superb try assist. A wind-up and scrap. Now a sin binning. Just needs a try.

Alex Lowe, in Perth

The Lions handling is so much more accurate and purposeful this week. Andy Farrell was frustrated with how loose they were against Argentina, throwing blind passes and offloads that were either intercepted or went to the floor.

They are doing a good job today of keeping the ball alive with support runners offering options for popped passes off the floor, which was how Elliot Daly scored. Although that try owed everything to Finn Russell’s vision. He is having a class game with some lovely touches and outstanding vision to identify space and attack it

Will Kelleher, in Perth

You can never stop watching Pollock.

There’s always something happening around him. First he looks almost too chilled, collecting a kick by his own try-line, and then throws a horrible pass for James Lowe, that the Irishman clean up. Then down the right wing Sione Tuipulotu kicks for him, and he takes a tumble, appealing that he has been tripped. Nothing given.

Now, after Finn Russell taps and goes to provide a score for Elliot Daly, he’s involved in a scrap in-goal with Nick Champion de Crespingy after cheering in the face of the Force. Only pushing and shoving, but he’s never far from the action, is he?

Will Kelleher, in Perth

I wonder if they will keep doing this for all the matches? The lights here bathing the top canopy of the stands are half red, to our left, for the Lions, and half blue, to the right, for the Force.

In 2001 the Australians tried to turn off lights around the Lions fans, having been surprised by that famous sea of red in Brisbane’s first Test, to make it look like fewer of them were in the stands!

Will they lean into the away support more in 2025?

Will Kelleher, in Perth

Ooof. Mack Hansen had the stuffing knocked out of him there on the right wing as he kicked ahead and was whacked in the ribs. It takes him a while to return to the action, having taken a knee and a breath. He looks fine, though, as his next carry is powerful into midfield.

Will Kelleher, in Perth

First assist for Henry Pollock! A lovely tip on for Josh van der Flier sent the Irishman through, and then Pollock did the best thing possible, following his pass through so he could pick up the return ball. It was only in May that Pollock was scorching past the Leinster crew for Northampton Saints, and now he’s linking with them.

When he was felled, Tomos Williams was on hand to take the offload and the try. A calming score for the frittery Lions.

A lovely line from Henry Pollock and he shows his pace to break free. The Lions No8 is brought down near the line, but he has the wherewithal to look for the offload and finds scrum half Tomos Williams, who was running a great support line, to score.

Lions giving away far too many penalties in the opening ten minutes, and the Force are looking to capitalise. Brilliant work in the lineout from Joe McCarthy though, and he rips the ball away and Tomos Williams kicks clear.

Will Kelleher, in Perth

Poor discipline from the Lions early on here. That’s five penalties for different offences already, and a couple of penalty advantages.

Next one is a yellow card, said Ben O’Keeffe, the referee.

The Lions need to steady, after their rapid start.

They might also need to watch some of these marginally high tackles. Mack Hansen was a little high in the build-up to the Nic White try, and then Elliot Daly clocked one of the Force guys high too.

Western Force equalise moments later, with captain Nic White diving from the side of a ruck under the Lions defenders. Ben Donaldson adds the extra two points.

Captain Dan Sheehan continues his excellent form this season, crossing the line in the opening two minutes after a brilliant offload from winger James Lowe.

Elgan Alderman

I think most rugby players do crossfield kicks wrong. They aim for height and yardage gain. Antoine Dupont has shown how drilling them low works masterfully, getting to the recipient before the defence can respond. Finn Russell’s wasn’t that low, but it was almost flat (often works) to get to Dan Sheehan before the Force could react.

Stuart Barnes

Just been reminded that it’s 32 years but only 8 tours since I captained the Lions in the first tour match in New Zealand. In those days pre match talk driven by the themes of honour and glory (if you were Jerry Guscott).

Amidst all the analysis of modern times, I hope there’s still room for Dan Sheehan to inspire with history, magic and mythic. Pre kick off question are Western Force a force? Lions must focus on quality of performance.

Will Kelleher, in Perth

We are about to kick off. Brilliant atmosphere here

Will Kelleher, in Perth

Nice digs from the Force announcer, as he’s going through the Lions team.

“Our former Aussie, Mack Hansen!”

“Another former Aussie, Sione Tuipulotu!”

“It’s the Kiwi, now Irishman, James Lowe!”

“The former SA schoolboy, now Scotsman, Pierre Schoeman”

It’s been a triggering issue for many watching this tour already… so trust the Aussies to rub it in.

Speaking to Sky Sports, British & Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell said: “[We want] a little bit more cohesion. We take the good out of the game [against Argentina] as well and we looked dangerous at times but we made too many errors.

“If you are not excited and don’t have some nerves you’re probably in the wrong jersey. But the payers are calm and hopefully come kick-off, they will be ready.”

Half an hour to go until kick-off in Perth. There are five players in the starting line-up who will make their Lions debut today: Dan Sheehan, Garry Ringrose, James Lowe, Joe McCarthy and Josh van der Flier.

Will Kelleher, in Perth

Finn Russell is looking suitably chilled, going through his usual “Maradona Seven” style keepy-uppy routine. What shall we call it, the Russell Round?

Will Kelleher, in Perth

I think the pitch could cause some issues here. One of the Lions coaches told us he was a little concerned about it cutting up yesterday, particularly around scrums. It’s very sandy, and from up in the stands it looks quite patchy. Hopefully the set-pieces stay steady.

For the Ashes Test here in November they will drop in the wicket to the middle of this rugby field. The wickets sit in a “nursery” growing outside the stadium bowl, and are dropped in in a process that takes three hours. Apparently each wicket weighs 25 tonnes, and No3 of the five is the groundsman’s favourite. It is grown from the same clay and turf as the old WACA ground down the road, which is famed for its pace and bounce.

The Lions will hope there is no chin music from the Force today!

Stephen Jones, in Perth

I’ve attended the first match on all 11 tours, and I’d say the number of Lions fans here easily triples that of any other group. Many staying at our hotel are signed up for the entire tour. It’s a great mix of people— all ages and all backgrounds.

Alex Lowe, in Perth

They are expecting a crowd in excess of 40,000 at the Optus Stadium, most of them wearing red. There are a lot of ex-pats living in Perth and a decent number of fans doing the full tour. It really feels like this is the proper start of the Lions tour, reinforcing my belief that the Lions should not have held that game against Argentina in Dublin. They did it as a naked money grab.

Every time they play at home it erodes the mystique of a team whose reputation and history — the very thing the Lions trade on so ferociously — is eroded. Now the Lions are on tour and there are fewer better things in sport that the sight of this unique team taking the field on the road to a Test series against the Wallabies.

Six current Australia players are included in the side facing the Lions today in Perth.

Tom Robertson, Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Nic White, Dylan Pietsch and Ben Donaldson are all in, and will link up with the Wallabies on Sunday. Donaldson’s inclusion comes after Kurtley Beale was ruled out having suffered a hamstring strain in training on Tuesday.

Will Kelleher, in Perth

The Lions bus is ensconced in the Optus, where outside the Force mascot is parading around for photos. I tried to ask him what sort of bird he was but he said “not sure..!”

Out here in Perth, Andy Farrell is on tour, tracksuit on, working with the players, ad-libbing on the training field, preparing for games that will come thick and fast. On Wednesday evening, three days before the Lions play Western Force in Perth, the coaches held their first planning meeting for the midweek Queensland Reds game.

“We are into it,” Farrell says. “When the Lions tour gets going, when we get down to the Tests, to the business end, it will be the most important thing in world sport by a country mile, whatever is going on. It will. That is just fact. I mean, why wouldn’t you want to be involved in something like that?”

• Read Alex Lowe’s full interview

Alex Lowe, in Perth

Breaking news from Perth: Nick Dolly, the one-cap England hooker whose quest to represent the Australian half of his family by playing for the Wallabies, has dropped off the Western Force bench. I presume he’s injured. But still give Will Kelleher’s piece a read.

I think Dolly was probably slightly misunderstood when he came into the England camp. He was seen as a fair dinkum Aussie — probably due to his haircut — and another overseas player wanting an England cap. He never told his story as he has done to Will.

Whether a personal memory of KFC in the hotel or glory in a Test match, British & Irish Lions legends from Willie John McBride to Matt Dawson share their best moments and players in the red jersey.

• Read in full

The second row’s stagnated career has reignited, with his lineout skills coming to the fore in Western Australia. The Force have developed a handy habit of stealing lineouts in Super Rugby, with Swain prominent.

The Lions scrummaged superbly against Argentina but their lineout was poor, losing five of their own throws. Swain and his colleagues will target the touring side at this set piece. It’s a challenge for the Lions but a great opportunity for individuals to — quite literally — jump into contention for the Tests.

The Force finished ninth of 11 in Super Rugby but their lineout statistics were outstanding, with the Australian lock back to his best since moving west. It is a game everyone expects the Lions to win but the magnifying glasses will be well and truly aimed at the lineout.

• Read Stuart Barnes’s column on six Wallabies to watch out for on tour

2021: On the tour of South Africa four years ago, Warren Gatland’s side began in Johannesburg with a 56-14 win over the Lions. Four tries from Josh Adams on the day was the highlight.

2017: The first provincial game in New Zealand did not go as well for the British & Irish Lions in Auckland, losing 22-16 to the Blues. Tries from Sonny Bill Williams, Ihiaia West and a 20 year old Rieko Ioane were enough to secure the win.

2013: On their previous visit to Australia, the Lions began with an impressive 69-17 thumping of Western Force, the same side they face today. Eight different tryscorers were on the scoresheet in Perth that day, with Brian O’Driscoll grabbing a brace

Where is Maro Itoje? The British & Irish Lions will launch their Australia tour against Western Force without their captain. Dan Sheehan will lead the side from hooker on his first Lions appearance, with Scott Cummings and Joe McCarthy forming a power-packed second-row partnership.

The Lions insist that Itoje, who was replaced ten minutes from the end of the defeat by Argentina last Friday, is fit for selection and that Andy Farrell has a plan for these opening three tour matches. It is important for squad unity and morale that every player gets a start, if possible. This has long been the standard approach of Lions coaches.

Read Alex Lowe’s column

Playing a midweek game for the Lions is a huge honour — and it is certainly more important than playing a summer Test for your country — but the truth is that everyone is hoping they are not picked in those midweek games, simply because you know what it means.

Very early on that might be different as there will be some mix-and-match selections, but very quickly the Test side is taking shape and that side will be playing on the Saturdays. Everybody wants to be a Test Lion.

• Read Sam Warburton’s full column here

Elgan Alderman, somewhere between Lille and Amiens

En route to Paris on the Eurostar for tonight’s Top 14 final, where Blair Kinghorn (the final Lion to arrive) and Jack Willis’s Toulouse are in search of a third successive title, against the Double-chasing Union Bordeaux Bègles. I made sure to travel early enough to be on land for the opening Lions tour game. Full steam ahead to The Moose.

It was not guaranteed that our favourite rugby haunts would show the fixture. The Tests will be on mainstream French channels, though the tour games appear not to be as visible. There has been a lot of talk about the Lions touring France (even I have succumbed, sketching out how I would do it, without quite advocating it), but I do always wonder: would France actually care?

• Bitter rivals Bordeaux stand in way of Toulouse’s historic triplé bid

• Lions Tour of France would set heart racing — here’s how it could look

If Dan Sheehan becomes a Test starter for the British & Irish Lions this summer in Australia he will have the backyards of Bucharest to thank for making him the player he is.

It was in Romania that Sheehan — now the Leinster and Ireland hooker, and favourite to start for the Lions — played his games as a kid. Baseball, swimming, golf, basketball, volleyball, badminton; whatever it was, Sheehan and his brother Bobby tried it. “That definitely impacted my skill set and being comfortable doing anything,” Sheehan says. “My parents were big on just giving anything a lash.”

• Read Will Kelleher’s full interview with Sheehan in Perth

Andy Farrell has told Henry Pollock that he has free licence to celebrate and be himself on his first start for the British & Irish Lions.

Pollock, the 20-year-old sensation of this season, will wear No8 against Western Force in Perth on Saturday. He comes into the starting team as one of 13 changes from the Lions’ 28-24 defeat by Argentina in Dublin last Friday.

Farrell’s side for their first match on Australian soil is led by Dan Sheehan, the 26-year-old Irish hooker, who captains the Lions on his debut for the touring side. Only Tadhg Beirne and Sione Tuipulotu keep their starting places from the Argentina match.

Hello and welcome to our coverage of the Lions’ fixture against Western Force. Andy Farrell’s side will want to bounce back after losing to Argentina last week in Dublin. Times rugby writers Will Kelleher and Alex Lowe will be bringing you all the insight from Perth.