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Irish Daily Mirror
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Lions player ratings as Owen Farrell shines v First Nations and Pasifika XV
The British and Irish Lions have maintained their unbeaten streak on their Australian tour, securing a 24-19 victory over the First Nations and Pasifika XV. Jamie Osborne's pair of tries, along with one each from Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe, and four points from Fin Smith's boot, ensured the Lions' triumph. Triston Reilly, Seru Uru and Rob Leota scored for the FNP XV, with Wallabies legend Kurtley Beale contributing four points. Despite some players underperforming, a few may have increased the pressure on Andy Farrell ahead of this weekend's second Test against Australia, Wales Online. Here are the player ratings:. 15. Blair Kinghorn 6 The Scottish full-back shone in attack, making a couple of line breaks early in the first half, and his superb long pass set up Jamie Osborne's try just after the break. Kinghorn also managed to catch a few high balls under pressure but made some regrettable errors, including two intercepted passes. Subscribe to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack for exclusive news stories and insights from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. He'll be disappointed that his careless pass was intercepted by Triston Reilly, resulting in a try for the Lions, squandering what could have been a golden opportunity. 14. Darcy Graham 6 The Scottish winger was forced off the field with a lower limb injury after just 16 minutes, but he made a positive impression during his brief time on the pitch. Graham posed a threat with the ball, managing to get past the FNP XV on several occasions and scoring a try. 13. Jamie Osborne 8 The 23-year-old put in an outstanding performance after being a late addition to the tour party. Osborne will be pleased with his two tries and was consistently a threat with the ball, while also successfully catching a couple of high balls under intense pressure. Jamie Osborne scores a try during against First Nations & Pasifika (Image:) 12. Owen Farrell (star man) 8 The Lions captain delivered a confident performance, his handling and distribution skills frequently outmanoeuvring the FNP XV. It was Farrell's chip over the defence that led to Jamie Osborne's first try, and he also assisted van der Merwe in scoring at the corner. His excellent all-round performance could potentially earn him a spot on the bench for the second Test. 11. Duhan van der Merwe 6 The Scottish winger is always a threat with the ball but was well-contained by the FNP XV defence. Van der Merwe scored the Lions' fourth try but struggled a few times in the air. It remains uncertain whether he has done enough to be considered for the Test matches. 10. Fin Smith 7 Smith performed well with the ball, his distribution skills creating opportunities for others, including a superb pass that led to Graham's try. His subtle offload at the point of contact also contributed to van der Merwe's try, and he made an impressive 15 tackles, the joint highest from a Lion. However, he missed a few conversions, which kept the FNP XV in the game, and there were a few errors. 9. Ben White 7 The Scottish scrum-half has been outstanding on tour, delivering another first-rate performance. White's box kicking was superb, as were his exits, providing relief from pressure multiple times. A remarkable 50/22 kick set the Lions up for their third try. 8. Henry Pollock 6 He found it challenging against a formidable FNP XV pack but managed to ruffle their feathers several times. Pollock put in a lot of effort but occasionally struggled to assert himself physically. However, the 20-year-old secured a vital turnover in the game's final moments, helping to clinch the victory. 7. Josh van der Flier 7 The 32-year-old made a significant contribution in defence with 15 tackles and was highly effective in the contact area. Van der Flier did a lot of unnoticed work and partnered well with Jac Morgan. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free. His passing, mauling and carrying skills are top-notch, but his presence on the field for the full 80 minutes doesn't bode well for his chances of playing in the second Test. 6. Jac Morgan 7 Morgan delivered another industrious performance, making eight tackles and seven carries during his 51 minutes on the pitch. His early withdrawal might hint at Farrell's plans for the weekend. The Welshman also earned two penalties thanks to his jackling at the breakdown. Morgan delivered a quietly effective performance, but it's still uncertain if he has done enough to secure a spot in the 23 for this Saturday's second Test. 5. Scott Cummings 7 Cummings put in a lot of work and was spot on when dealing with kick-off receipts. The towering Scottish lock excelled at charging down and his counter rucking caused issues for the FNP XV throughout the match. He also managed the lineout well and with Joe McCarthy battling injury, he is a strong contender for a bench spot this Saturday. 4. James Ryan 4 The tour has been disappointing for the Irish lock who struggled to make an impact in Melbourne. Ryan only made two tackles and three carries, and also received a yellow card in the first half. His chances of making the Test squad are slim. 3. Finlay Bealham 6 Bealham was solid in the scrum, providing a platform for the Lions to build from. However, the Connacht tighthead didn't make much of an impact elsewhere, with the PNF XV pack proving more destructive in their carrying game. He hasn't challenged the Test team. 2. Jamie George 7 The England hooker put in a strong performance. The lineout ran smoothly under George's guidance, and he made 12 tackles and five carries. George may have done enough to edge out Ronan Kelleher for a place on the bench this weekend. 1. Pierre Schoeman 6 He was generally solid in the scrum, although he was pushed back significantly once by Wallabies tighthead Taniela Tupou. However, he performed well around the field with nine carries and eight tackles. Replacements. 16. Ewan Ashman 5 He didn't have much time to make an impact but didn't do anything wrong. 17. Rory Sutherland 5 He didn't have much time to make a significant contribution but managed to secure the scrum. 18. Tom Clarkson 6 The Irish player performed well in the scrum and made an impression with a few powerful carries. 19. Gregor Brown 5 He put in a lot of effort but didn't make a huge impact. 20. Ben Earl 6 The Saracens back-rower made a couple of dynamic carries and brought some energy to the game. 21. Alex Mitchell N/A. He didn't come off the bench. 22. Marcus Smith 5 He had a few nice touches. 23. Garry Ringrose 6 He tackled well and carried hard, but a knock-on cost the Lions a try.
Al Arabiya
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Lions hold off First Nations and Pasifika XV 24-19 in a rugged tour game in Australia
The British and Irish Lions held off the First Nations and Pasifika XV 24-19 in a tough physical contest on Tuesday in the last of their midweek games on the Australian tour. The Lions can now focus on trying to clinch the three-test series against the Wallabies on Saturday in Melbourne after winning the first match 27-19 last weekend in Brisbane. 'We've given ourselves a bit of a fright,' Lions head coach Andy Farrell said. 'Congratulations to the First Nations and Pasifika team; (they) made it a hard-fought contest, that's for sure.' The Lions are now 7-0 in Australia, including the test match victories over Super Rugby franchises Western Force, Queensland Reds, Waratahs, and Brumbies, and two invitational teams. Jamie Osborne scored the opening tries of each half Tuesday, and the Lions twice had big leads before being pinned back by the First Nations and Pasifika team, which was drawn from players with Indigenous Australia and Pacific Islands heritage. Making the most of a penalty advantage, the Lions took a 24-14 lead when Owen Farrell dummied a pass to unsettle the defense and send an unmarked Duhan van der Merwe over in the left corner with 15 minutes to play. But the invitational team rallied again, cutting the lead to five points in the 71st when Rob Leota scored a try from close range and sustaining pressure right until fulltime. It had been 14-14 at halftime after each team scored two converted tries and spent 10 minutes giving up a numerical advantage because of yellow cards. The Lions were up 14-0 after center Osborne chased through Fin Smith's chip kick and touched down while winger Darcy Graham crossed out wide. From a lineout win by Henry Pollock, the Lions created an overlap with players looping in midfield and sent a long floating pass to the unmarked Scottish winger. But Graham had to leave the field soon after with an injury. Triston Reilly, who was yellow-carded early, returned to score the First Nations and Pasifika's opening try after an intercept on the quarter-line. Blindside flanker Seru Uru picked up and reached over amid three tacklers in the 23rd minute, and Kurtley Beale converted to level the score, ensuring the touring Lions knew they were in a contest. 'I'm thankful we got the job done in the end,' skipper Owen Farrell said.
Reuters
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Lions hold firm after scare from First Nations-Pasifika XV
MELBOURNE, July 22 (Reuters) - The British & Irish Lions were rocked by the underdog spirit of the First Nations & Pasifika XV (FNP) but held on grimly to claim an unconvincing 24-19 win on Tuesday. Centre Jamie Osborne scored a try in each half, and Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe also crossed for the Lions who remain unbeaten on their Australian tour despite producing a largely ragged display at Melbourne's Docklands Stadium. It was full credit to the FNP team, who gave Joe Schmidt's Wallabies a lesson in ferocity at the breakdown and scored tries from Tristan Reilly, Seru Uru and Rob Leota, the last allowing them to creep within five points with less than 10 minutes left. Although the Lions notched their seventh win in succession in Australia, coach Andy Farrell may have more headaches than just selection for Saturday's second test against the Wallabies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where they will bid to seal the series. The claims of his son Owen Farrell for a test jersey were unharmed, though, the former England captain leading from the front as skipper on Tuesday. "Probably wasn't our best performance, but massive, massive credit's got to go to the First Nations and Pasifika boys, thought they came after us tonight," said Owen Farrell. "They got off the line really well, they caused us some trouble ... I'm thankful we got the job done in the end." Farrell was right in the thick of it, charging in to shove Reilly after the hosts' winger hammered into Graham with a try-saving tackle that earned him a yellow card in the fifth minute. Moments later, Farrell set up the Lions' first try with a neat chip over the First Nations' line that Osborne collected and planted down. Farrell had a hand in the second for Scottish winger Graham who streamed through a paddock of space. FNP were 14-0 down after 11 minutes but Reilly returned to the field to intercept a poor Fin Smith pass near the Lions' 22 and jog over for the easiest of tries. Improbably, FNP wiped out the lead with a converted try to Uru, who burrowed over in the 23rd minute. Lions lock James Ryan was yellow-carded in the same play for slowing the ball down at the ruck. Undermanned, the tourists shut out FNPZ for the rest of the half but were lucky to avoid conceding a third try after another interception. Home fans hoping for an upset were buoyant in the crowd of 30,420 but Osborne silenced them soon after the restart, with flyhalf Smith making up for errant passing with a long ball that set up the centre's second try. Still the errors flowed, with forward passes and knock-ons denying the Lions two certain tries before Van der Merwe latched onto a Farrell pass to cross in the corner. Still FNP responded, rumbling the ball to the tryline before Melbourne boy and former Wallaby Leota barged through a crack to trim the deficit to five points in the 71st minute. The drums were beating among the Pacific Islanders in the terraces but the Lions did well to lock down and ensure they head into the second Wallabies test with winning form. "Not many people gave us a chance," said FNP's man-of-the-match Charlie Gamble. "We showed that we deserve to be out there, and we played very hard for each other."
Irish Times
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Lions player ratings: Versatile Jamie Osborne shines with two-try debut in Melbourne
15 Blair Kinghorn Threw an intercept for Tristan Reilly try but otherwise had a fine game. Super catch/pass for Jamie Osborne's second try, very assured aerially and worked hard to get on the ball regularly. Rating: 8 14 Darcy Graham Packed a lot into his 15 minutes on the pitch before injury. Took a high shot that led to a yellow card for Reilly and finished off a flowing backline move for a try on his debut. A real pity for the livewire Scotland wing who had started brightly. Rating: 7 13 Jamie Osborne A memorable Lions debut capped by a brace of tries, the first demonstrated good composure not to over-chase Owen Farrell's chip, the second a run-in. Great support lines, assured in the tackle, an excellent outing playing centre and then wing. Rating: 8 12 Owen Farrell (capt) Celebrated his 20th Lions appearance by creating a try for Duhan van der Merwe with a lovely show-and-go. Most of his touches, passing and kicking were quality contributions in what was a quietly authoritative display. Rating: 7 READ MORE 11 Duhan van der Merwe A fifth try took him further ahead as the Lions top try-scorer on tour. He was always muscular in possession and if there is a regret is that he doesn't get on the ball often enough. Rating: 7 10 Fin Smith Lovely early break set a tone, great long pass for Graham try but then there were some scruffy moments before he reasserted his quality with several classy interventions that pushed his team forward. Rating: 7 British and Irish Lions scrumhalf Ben White passes from a ruck during the game in Melbourne. Photograph: William West/AFP via Getty Images 9 Ben White Two touches in the build-up to Graham try, threw an intercept that almost cost his team a try late on in the first half. But in the second half he was a key player for his team. Rating: 8 1 Pierre Schoeman Good counter-ruck penalty won, showed up for his carrying and tackling duties but the fact that the Lions scrum coughed up a couple of penalties and a free-kick will disappoint. He found Taniela Tupou a handful in that regard. Rating: 7 2 Jamie George Two lineouts picked off, a crooked throw for another turnover and a forward pass in what should have led to a try for Van der Merwe were the blemishes in what was a hard-working and honest contribution. Rating: 5 3 Finlay Bealham He didn't have the same high-calibre impact that he's enjoyed in some of his previous outings. Conceded a breakdown penalty, got stripped in contact and on occasion a little high in his ball carrying. Rating: 6 4 James Ryan Suffered a yellow card after conceding two penalties in quick succession in the lead-up to Pasifika's second try. He was impressively physical in the collisions and at the breakdown and disrupted the opposition throw several times. Rating: 7 Scott Cummings is tackled by First Nations and Pasifika XV's Darcy Swain. Photograph: David Davies/PA Wire 5 Scott Cummings An industrious and athletic display, as the lineout caller he took responsibility to win most of the ball, and showed up well on both sides of the ball from first to last whistle. Rating: 8 6 Jac Morgan The ebb and flow of the game didn't really give him much opportunity to showcase his skills at the breakdown as often as he has done in previous matches. Diligent on both sides of the ball but quieter outing. Rating: 6 7 Josh van der Flier A lovely early line-break and produced a voracious work-rate. It was that graft that saw him outshine his two team-mates in the backrow. A consistent presence in attack and defence, he had a try called back for a knock-on. Rating: 7 8 Henry Pollock A vital breakdown penalty late on, won several lineouts, and managed to get in the face of the opposition, literally on one occasion. But he was quieter than usual in the unfamiliar role of number eight. Rating: 6 Replacements Garry Ringrose enjoyed a superb game as an early replacement for the luckless Graham, playing at outside centre. Thomas Clarkson acquitted himself well on his Lions debut while Gregor Brown also impressed. Rating: 7 Coach Andy Farrell will be pleased with the result but less so with the overall performance, even allowing for the fact that it was a side stitched together in a short time. Not as much food for thought perhaps in selection terms for the second Test. Rating: 7
Irish Times
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Jamie Osborne scores double but Lions fail to convince against First Nations and Pasifika
First Nations and Pasifika XV 19 British and Irish Lions 24 A footnote in history and, indeed, one that will quickly be consigned to Lions history. The tourists at least maintained their unbeaten record on Australian soil since that opening defeat to Argentina but this was probably their least convincing performance and one that will have little bearing on the Test Series. The invitational Pasifika XV certainly threw everything at the Lions, hanging into the contest gamely, crashing into the collisions, forcing all manner of errors, feasting off scraps and certainly making a strong case for them to have more fixtures. As for the Lions, Jamie Osborne justified his call-up with an eye-catching two-try performance and ditto, at the other end of his Lions' journey, Owen Farrell, who showed that class is permanent and given Marcus Smith appeared to go off due to an HIA, the coach's son could come into the picture for the second Test. Ben White had another fine, composed game at scrumhalf, while Garry Ringrose's earlier introduction than expected allowed him to showcase his ability with a strong hour on the pitch. READ MORE The Lions had more joy with strike plays than in building much cohesion through the phases. James Ryan being taken off after an hour might be a pointer towards some involvement in the Test series, but few if any enhanced their Test claims. Initially, this had looked the kind of Lions romp which many expected, as they duly roared into a 14-0 lead inside the first dozen minutes. It could have been an even more fruitful start but for Filipo Daugunu's tackle on Darcy Graham forcing his foot over the touchline before giving a try-scoring inside pass to Duhan van der Merwe after Blair Kinghorn had hit the line tellingly as the Scottish outside three linked skilfully. As it was, Graham was tackled dangerously high with the next tackle, this time by Triston Reilly, as he caught the Scottish winger in the jaw with his shoulder but, as is the way of the game nowadays, his yellow card was not even upgraded to a two-minute red on review. Still the Lions ruthlessly exploited the resulting space in the backfield and on the edge from two strike plays off attacking lineouts as first Owen Farrell stepped into first receiver chipped high into space, ensuing a high bounce which the chasing Jamie Osborne gathered and withstood three tackles to take his first Lions try within eight minutes of his debut very sharply. Next, White and Fin Smith moved an out the back play to the edge, with the latter's long left to right pass giving Graham the chance to finish. Smith also converted well. But Graham's eventful Lions debut would sadly prove short-lived as the distraught Scottish winger departed with an apparent ankle injury. He was replaced by Ringrose, with Osborne demonstrating his versatility by shifting to the right wing. Whereupon the first half entirely flipped on one moment, which showed how the Lions had been lulled into thinking this was a little too easy, or a little like an exhibition match, as Kinghorn opted for a long skip pass to two teammates on the edge inside his own half and Triston Reilly picked off the intercept try. Emboldened and encouraged, the Pasifika XV struck quickly again when a rapid quick tap by livewire scrumhalf Kalani Thomas led to Fijian flanker Seru Uru powered through Henry Pollock and James Ryan. The latter was also binned for tackling Thomas within 10 metres of the tap. The Lions were indebted to an intercept by Jamie George as the knock-ons, missed penalties to touch and scrum penalties saw the Lions become a little ragged. After Kinghorn coughed up another intercept, the Lion shad to scramble before Duhan van der Merwe covered Reilly's grubber into the in-goal arear with the last play of the half. The Lions regrouped effectively at the break. Within five minutes of the resumption, the Lions' backs combined for a third first phase try off a lineout going left to right, as Farrell pulled the ball back for Smith and Kinghorn's long pass gave Osborne a run-in for his second try. Josh van der Flier had another ruled out after Ringrose had slightly nudged the ball forward after White kicked loose ball toward the Pasifika try-line. The Pasifika XV then produced a superb defence set when the Lions bombarded their line with a power game, although the Lions' attack coaches would have been disappointed that the halves or Owen Farrell hadn't used the unmarked Osborne on the edge. Eventually though, after Osborne and van der Merwe were each secure under the high ball, Ringrose and Osborne put the Lions on the front foot in turn, before Smith and Farrell combined to put van der Merwe over; Farrell dummying Reilly deftly in a classy touch. Once again it looked as if the Lions would pull clear but once again they failed to do so. Instead, the Pasifika finally won a kicking duel to earn some territory and Jarrah McLeod latched onto a long throw by hooker Richie Asiata and after they pummelled the line, another replacement Rob Leota had a walk-in from close-range. That ensured some squeaky moments for the Lions until the end, one fine turnover by Pollock being wasted by a lost lineout, but they got there in the end. Scoring sequence: 8 mins Osborne try, F Smith con 0-7; 11 mins Graham try, F Smith con 0-14; 18 mins Reilly try, Beale con 7-14 mins; 23 mins Uru try, Beale con 14-14; (half-time 14-14); 45 mins Osborne try 14-19; 64 mins van der Merwe try, 14-24; 71 mins Leota try 19-24. First Nations & Pasifika XV: Andy Muirhead (First Nations); Triston Reilly (First Nations), Lalakai Foketi (Maori & Tonga), David Feliuai (Samoa), Filipo Daugunu (Fiji); Kurtley Beale (First Nations, capt), Kalani Thomas (Maori); Lington Ieli (Fiji), Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Samoa), Taniela Tupou (Tonga), Darcy Swain (Samoa), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Samoa), Seru Uru (Fiji), Charlie Gamble (Tonga), Tuaina Taii Tualima (Samoa). Replacements: Jack Debreczeni (Cook Island) for Daugunu (13 mins), Jarrah McLeod (First Nations) for Feliuai (41 mins), Richie Asiata (Samoa) for Paenga-Amosa, Mesake Doge (Fiji) for Tupou both (46 mins), Rob Leota (Samoa) for Uru (52 mins), Harrison Goddard (First Nations) for Thomas, Marley Pearce (Maori & First Nations) for Leli (both 55 mins), Mesake Vocevoce (Fiji) for Taii Tualima (67 mins). Sinbinned: Reilly (5-15 mins) British & Irish Lions: Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse/Scotland); Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland), Jamie Osborne (Leinster Rugby/Ireland), Owen Farrell (Saracens/England, capt, Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland); Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/England), Ben White (Toulon/Scotland); Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland), Jamie George (Saracens/England), Finlay Bealham (Connacht Rugby/Ireland), James Ryan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland), Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland), Jac Morgan (Ospreys/Wales), Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby/Ireland), Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/Englan. Replacements: Garry Ringrose (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) for Graham (17 mins), Ben Earl (Saracens/England) for Morgan (51 mins), Tom Clarkson (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) for Bealham (51 mins), Gregor Brown (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland) for Ryan (55 mins), Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England) for F Smith (67-73 mins), Ewan Ashman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland) for George, Rory Sutherland (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland) for Schoeman (both 74 mins). Not used: Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England), Sinbinned: Ryan (23-33 mins). Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
