Lions Tour: Ollie Chessum and Jack Conan impress in another lacklustre Lions performance

Lions look back

The British & Irish Lions remain just 1-3 to win their Test series against 5-2 Australia but alarm bells may now be ringing in Andy Farrell's head after another lacklustre showing in Wednesday's 36-24 win over the ACT Brumbies.

The Lions selected a team of front-runners to start the first Test on July 19 and ran in five tries in Canberra, with scores for Ollie Chessum, James Lowe, Marcus Smith, Garry Ringrose, and Josh van der Flier.

However, a lack of accuracy prevailed as they were held up three times over the line, dropped too many passes and were again second-best at the breakdown.

The Brumbies, the highest-ranked Australian team after finishing third in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific, always promised to be the Lions' toughest opponents but were still without eight players currently away preparing for the first Test.

Stephen Larkham's side scored four tries, including the first of the match from number eight Tuaina Taii Tualima.

"A little bit patchy" was how player of the match Jamison Gibson-Park described the visitors' performance but his half-back display alongside Finn Russell did at least give the Lions greater control, laying the platform for a more balanced performance.

Question marks remain over the potential make-up of other areas of the Test team, though, and despite a fourth win from as many outings on Australian soil, Farrell admitted his Lions had "kept them in the game" with their errors.

Strangely, the Brumbies may have done the tourists a favour by being the latest team to expose their issues at the breakdown, an area where the Wallabies are particularly strong.

Wallaby coach Joe Schmidt will have been encouraged by another mixed performance.

It is now all eyes on Farrell and Thursday's team selection for Saturday's match against an Invitational AU & NZ outfit in Adelaide.

Does he wrap his big names in cotton wool with a view to the first Test? Does he give the players who struggled in Canberra another hit out? Or will there be further wholesale changes to provide those who watched on in the capital with a final shot at making the Test side?

Over to you, Andy.

Talking points against the ACT Brumbies

Jamison Gibson-Park's game management gave the Lions more control against the BrumbiesCredit: Sportsfile via Getty Images

After the misery of Saturday's sluggish 21-10 win over the Waratahs, the Lions needed a commanding performance.

There were positives, with scrum-half Gibson-Park controlling the tempo and Chessum imperious in the back-row, but handling errors and breakdown penalties continue to be an issue, as does defence.

Farrell's side conceded four tries in Canberra, two from set-piece ball and, after picking a XV widely viewed as pencilled in for the opening Test against the Wallabies, the tourists' continued lack of accuracy both individually and collectively means there may still be spots open for the game in Brisbane.

Blair Kinghorn's early withdrawal is also a worry and Hugo Keenan is likely to start on Saturday in Adelaide. Marcus Smith, who replaced Kinghorn and scored a try, is another option and has a real chance of making the Test 23 after also providing an assist for Ringrose, who was another to impress with ten tackles.

However, one debate that looks settled is at number eight, where Conan has found form to emerge as the clear choice to be a Test starter for the second straight tour. Conan led the Lions in carries (17), metres made (76) and tackles completed (13) in Canberra. 

Standout performer

Ollie Chessum stood out for the Lions in CanberraCredit: Getty Images

Joe McCarthy's form makes him captain Maro Itoje's most likely lock partner in the first Test but his size necessitates the need for another line-out jumper and Chessum's showing in Canberra makes him the leading contender to wear the number six jersey alongside number eight Conan against the Wallabies. 

Chessum scored the Lions' opening try and had another ruled out late on as he played the full 80 minutes at GIO Stadium. 

His versatility was on full display as he shone at blindside flanker for the opening hour before seeing out the final quarter in the second row following McCarthy's withdrawal.

The 24-year-old was excellent both in the tight and the loose and looks as if he may have sewn himself in at six ahead of Tadhg Beirne.

Josh van der Flier also scored a try and was a real nuisance off the bench, overshadowing the player he replaced, Tom Curry, in the battle for the openside flanker berth, with Jac Morgan the other candidate to wear the jersey next Saturday in Brisbane.

What's next?

The Lions next head west to face an Invitational AU & NZ team at the Adelaide Oval in their final warm-up match before the first Test on July 19.

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2025 British & Irish Lions Tour schedule

The British & Irish Lions play ten matches this summer and after beginning their schedule with a 28-24 defeat to Argentina at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Andy Farrell's side scored a half-century of points in wins over the Western Force and Queensland Reds since arriving in Australia.

After a disappointing performance against the Waratahs, albeit winning 21-10, Wednesday's 36-24 victory over the Brumbies posed more questions.

They next meet an Invitational AU & NZ in what could be a bruising final warm-up contest before the first Test against the Wallabies on 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, Owen Farrell, 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, Ben White.

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 is being 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 the 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 ...

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