Lions Tour: Andy Farrell's side off the mark in Australia after 54-7 win over Western Force

Lions look back

The British & Irish Lions are up and running in Australia following a comfortable 54-7 win over Western Force, and bookmakers were quick to take notice.

After the disappointment of last Friday's opening defeat to Argentina in Dublin, the Lions responded with a comprehensive victory, comfortable covering a 27-point handicap. They grew into the game and displayed a ruthless edge in attack that they will aim to repeat against Queensland Reds in Brisbane on Wednesday. Bet365 have pushed their handicap line up to 32 points for the showdown with the Reds, who finished fifth in the 2025 Super Rugby standings

With more of the players who had been involved in the recent Premiership and URC finals available for selection, head coach Andy Farrell made 13 changes for the match in Perth.

Captain on the day Dan Sheehan grabbed the opening try inside the first minute and he is 3-1 favourite with Hills to be the Lions' top tryscorer on the tour, while he is level with winger James Lowe at 4-1 to score most tries in the three Tests.

Scrum-half Nic White scored a try to level the scores just minutes later and although the Force had the better of possession and territory for most  of the half, tries from Tomos Williams and Elliot Daly had the tourists 21-7 up at the break.

Quickfire scores from Williams, Garry Ringrose and Joe McCarthy made it 40-7 by the hour.

Daly's second try - combining with England colleagues Alex Mitchell and Marcus Smith - boosted the scoreline before Mitchell completed the rout after the clock had gone red.

After some inevitable teething issues as the team took time to gel, there were several positives for Farrell to take ahead of his team's trip to Brisbane to face the Reds.

Talking points against Western Force

The visiting Lions supporters in Perth made themselves heard in the pre-match build-up and had plenty to roar about when Sheehan went over with only seconds on the clock.

Hooker Dan Sheehan's accuracy at the line-out, especially in tandem with player of the match Joe McCarthy, was a real positive and both also played their part in a dominant scrum.

The only worry to come out of the game was a hamstring injury picked up by Tomos Williams in the act of scoring his second try. Andy Farrell was understandably tight-lipped when asked about the Welshman post-match, and Scotland scrum-half Ben White is likely to be called up if the worst news is confirmed. 

Standout performance

Joe McCarthy won the player of the match prize but Elliot Daly was excellent at the back. The 32-year-old will have tougher days defensively but timed his forays into the line perfectly and always appears unhurried in possession.

A Test starter on the left wing in 2017 and then at outside centre four years ago, Daly could be playing his way into the side for a third straight tour, but this time at full-back.

Garry Ringrose scored a try and led the Lions' defensive effort in PerthCredit: Getty Images

Test watch

Henry Pollock's star continues to rise but his yellow card in the first half won't have gone unnoticed by the coaching staff. 

The 10-12-13 combination of Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu, and Garry Ringrose looked good. Ringrose appears in direct competition with Huw Jones to wear the 13 shirt for the first Test and alongside his try, the Irishman's work leading the defence will also have pleased the selectors.

What's next?

The tourists now swap Australia's west coast for the east, where they will face Queensland Reds.

Wednesday's venue, Suncorp Stadium, will also stage the opening Test on July 19 and the game will give the Lions' players an early feel for the conditions and atmosphere.

The Reds should also provide a step-up in opposition after reaching this season's Super Rugby Pacific play-offs.

British & Irish Lions vs Queensland Reds betting odds

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2025 British & Irish Lions Tour schedule

The British & Irish Lions will play ten matches this summer and after beginning their schedule with a 24-28 defeat to Argentina at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, flew to Perth where they outclassed Western Force 54-7.

The 38-man squad next face Queensland Reds at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium, where the first Test against Australia takes place on Saturday, July 19.

Here is the full itinerary:

Odds correct at time of publication.

2025 British & Irish Lions squad in full

Forwards: Tadhg Beirne, Ollie Chessum, Jack Conan, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Scott Cummings, Tom Curry, Ben Earl, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Furlong, Ellis Genge, Maro Itoje, Ronan Kelleher, Joe McCarthy, Jac Morgan, Henry Pollock, Andrew Porter, James Ryan, Pierre Schoeman, Dan Sheehan, Will Stuart, Josh van der Flier.

Backs: Bundee Aki, Elliot Daly, Tommy Freeman, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Huw Jones, Hugo Keenan, Blair Kinghorn, James Lowe, Alex Mitchell, Garry Ringrose, Finn Russell, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Tomos Williams.

Read Jack Ogalbe's thoughts on the Lions squad

Where can I watch the 2025 Lions tour?

The 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia will again be shown live on Sky Sports.

Who is the captain of the Lions?

England forward Maro Itoje was named as the captain of the British & Irish Lions at May's squad announcement at the O2 in London. He is the first English captain of the Lions since Martin Johnson led them on the 2001 tour down under and only the third in 89 years.

Who is the Lions' head coach?

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell was appointed as leader of the British & Irish Lions in 2024. Farrell, who enjoyed a stellar career in rugby league with Wigan, is currently head coach of Ireland, whom he has guided to two Six Nations titles. 

What is the betting for the 2025 Lions Tour?

Here are the latest odds for the British & Irish Lions' three-match Test series against Australia's Wallabies.

Odds correct at 11am on Thursday, June 26. Subject to change.

Read more:

Jack Ogalbe: Ignore the Lions naysayers and strap in for an amazing summer 

Graham Woods: Instinct and experience key for Lions punters 

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