Western Force v British & Irish Lions

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Adam Beard?

I distinctly remember that Gatland’s selection of Beard in 2021 was the reason I changed my username to what it currently is. Always meant to change it back and in 4 years have never gotten round to it.

 

[LIONSxv]

His biggest problem is that he's not a natural 6, 7, or 8. Not big enough to punch holes like a 6 or an 8, and not a big enough turnover threat as a 7.

Today though against limited opposition he was very good in the wide channels and defensively, against Oz? Who knows.

He is a natural 7, he made more tackles and turnovers by some distance in the European Cup this season
It's not his fault he is getting played at 8 where he is required to carry more but be less involved with the breakdown

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Lions player ratings: Joe McCarthy terrorises Western Force but Scott Cummings has nightmare

Telegraph Sport looks at who stood out and who must do better after a comfortable if flawed opening performance from Farrell’s men in Perth

www.telegraph.co.uk

Daly - 8/10
Hansen - 6/10
Ringrose - 7/10
Tuipulotu - 6/10
Lowe - 7/10
Russell - 8/10
Williams - 7/10
Schoeman - 4/10
Sheehan - 7/10
Furlong - 4/10
Cummings - 3/10
McCarthy - 9/10
Beirne - 8/10
van der Filer - 7/10
Pollock - 7/10
Replacements - 7/10

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Lions player ratings: Joe McCarthy terrorises Western Force but Scott Cummings has nightmare

Telegraph Sport looks at who stood out and who must do better after a comfortable if flawed opening performance from Farrell’s men in Perth

www.telegraph.co.uk

Daly - 8/10
Hansen - 6/10
Ringrose - 7/10
Tuipulotu - 6/10
Lowe - 7/10
Russell - 8/10
Williams - 7/10
Schoeman - 4/10
Sheehan - 7/10
Furlong - 4/10
Cummings - 3/10
McCarthy - 9/10
Beirne - 8/10
van der Filer - 7/10
Pollock - 7/10
Replacements - 7/10

Seems very harsh on Cummings. Thought he was pretty anonymous but certainly didnt seem like 3/10 performance. I can’t read the article; what was their justification for it?

Also think that’s very generous to Beirne who gave away some silly pens and was otherwise fairly anonymous.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Seems very harsh on Cummings. Thought he was pretty anonymous but certainly didnt seem like 3/10 performance. I can't read the article; what was their justification for it?

Also think that's very generous to Beirne who gave away some silly pens and was otherwise fairly anonymous.

And Tomos Williams a 7? Surely he was a 9 out of 10 and then bumped up to a 10/10 for faking an injury so he can leave that hell hole.

 

[General Melchett]

The most pleasing thing is that Farrell has let the handbrake off in attack which is a refreshing change from the turgid stuff Gatland was serving up in the past two tours.

 

[Which Tyler]

The most pleasing thing is that Farrell has let the handbrake off in attack which is a refreshing change from the turgid stuff Gatland was serving up in the past two tours.

By far and away the best thing - said similar after Argentina too

 

[Welsh Exile]

The most pleasing thing is that Farrell has let the handbrake off in attack which is a refreshing change from the turgid stuff Gatland was serving up in the past two tours.

I agree but it won’t matter a jot if the Lions don’t win the series. And considering how everyone has been banging on for years about how easy this tour will be and how rubbish Australia are, I expect a convincing 3-0 win.

 

[General Melchett]

I agree but it won't matter a jot if the Lions don't win the series. And considering how everyone has been banging on for years about how easy this tour will be and how rubbish Australia are, I expect a convincing 3-0 win.

I'm sure it will be less gung ho and more controlled in the tests, especially the first two.

 

[Welsh Exile]

I'm sure it will be less gung ho and more controlled in the tests, especially the first two.

Yeah for sure, and to be fair, I think Australia are decent and will make it a good series.

 

[Grizwald]

JVP was called up to participate in training while White wasn't done with Toulon.

I would expect White to be top of the 9s standby list.

I think having Top 14 players named initially isn't great for the squad as a whole. At FB with Keenan nursing and injury its exposed left the Lions a bit exposed. Hoepfully Keenan can play midweek as it would seem improbable if not impossible to put Kinghorn in after playing on the Saturday and flying out.

I'd put a lot of international 9's available ahead of JvP. Given that Farrell had head room in the squad it feels like he should have taken another 9 and utility back out (Tom Jordan) after Argentina.

 

[General Melchett]

British & Irish Lions player ratings vs Western Force | 2025 Lions series https://share.google/insZel5kAejUP53qb

Funny how player ratings can vary

 

[Welsh Exile]

British & Irish Lions player ratings vs Western Force | 2025 Lions series https://share.google/insZel5kAejUP53qb

Funny how player ratings can vary

If it’s not WOL I don’t bother.

 

[General Melchett]

If Adam Beard isn't playing it's not WOL I don't bother.

FTFY

 

[Welsh Exile]

Talking of which

Lions ratings as Pollock pure X factor and Irish duo need to up their games

The British & Irish Lions are up and running.

www.walesonline.co.uk

 

[TRF_Olyy]

1. Pierre Schoeman 5

Pierre Schoeman? More like Sheer Poo, man

 

[AlRums]

Ben White is already in New Zealand so a comparative short hop for him.

 

[BRSTLDRGN]

Pierre Schoeman? More like Sheer Poo, man

 

[IT157]

Daly is such a classy operator. Unfairly maligned by a lot of England fans over the years.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Daly is such a classy operator. Unfairly maligned by a lot of England fans over the years.

Over the last 365 years the old ****.