Lions vs Western Force LIVE: 2025 tour result, latest updates and reaction after first tour win
Western Force vs Lions LIVE!
The British & Irish Lions gave the Western Force a lesson in ruthless finishing as they kicked off their Australia tour with an ultimately comfortable 54-7 victory in front of a big crowd at Perth Stadium on Saturday.
Tomos Williams and Elliot Daly both crossed twice with skipper Dan Sheehan, Garry Ringrose, Joe McCarthy and Alex Mitchell also scoring as a much-changed Lions team bounced back after their 28-24 loss to Argentina in Dublin last week.
Henry Pollock's first start in a Lions shirt did not disappoint with a line break to set up one try and a chip-and-chase earning the field position for another as well as a yellow card late in the first half.
The Force did enough to assuage the fears of Lions management that the tour matches would not be competitive and a solitary try from veteran Wallabies scrumhalf Nic White hardly did justice to their contribution to the contest.
Lions vs Western Force latest news
Live updates
A tougher run-out than perhaps expected, but this was a stroll in the second half.
The 2025 tour is up and running.
Full-time!
82min: Smith converts and there’s the whistle!
LIONS TRY!
81min: Mitchell breaks through to get the eighth!
Lions 47-7 Western Force
80min: Lions still looking for an eighth try and the game passes 80 minutes.
Lions 47-7 Western Force
78min: Chessum, who has been good since coming on, gives away a penalty for being offside. Force boot into touch.
Lions 47-7 Western Force
76min: Perhaps a bit of life left in the Force as they drive down the left but are snuffed out but Chessum.
Lions 47-7 Western Force
74min: Plenty of possession for the Lions now. Force counting down the minutes, you feel.
LIONS TRY!
71min: Daly walks it in after being found in space by Smith. Force really struggling now.
Lions 40-7 Western Force
70min: And again.
Lions 40-7 Western Force
69min: Lions win a rare penalty and go for the corner.