They were hardly embarrassed, but the Western Force were no match for the British and Irish Lions in the end on Saturday evening at Perth’s Optus Stadium.
The tourists bookended the game with two spectacular tries as Alex Mitchell – the England halfback – replicated what his captain Dan Sheehan did to start the match by scoring to help the Lions bring up a half-century, as Andy Farrell’s men won handsomely 54-7.
The Lions scored eight tries in total, including five in the second half, to get their campaign back on track after last week’s shock loss to Argentina in Dublin. The Force’s lone try came early with veteran Wallabies halfback Nic White diving over from close range.
Dan Sheehan celebrates with Henry Pollock after scoring the opening try against the Western Force during the Lions’ big win at Optus Stadium on June 28, 2025 in Perth. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Although Farrell will have been pleased to see his side register the convincing win first up on Australian shores, the Lions coach faces a nervy wait on another one of his players, with halfback Tomas Williams forced off with a suspected hamstring injury.
The halfback – one of two Welshmen in the squad – finished stunningly out wide to score his second try in the 46th minute but left the field moments later after pulling up lame. Already, star halfback Jamison Gibson-Park has had his tour slowed by a niggling injury.
Lions back-rower Henry Pollock also announced himself Down Under, with the brash 20-year-old involved in everything during an action packed starting debut for the famed side where he announced himself as the new villain in town.
The loose-forward set up a couple of tries, got involved in a scrap with Nick Champion de Crespigny and was shown a yellow card.
Dylan Pietsch was the Western Force’s best against the Lions at Optus Stadium in Perth. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)
While Wallaby Dylan Pietsch did plenty to prove his worth ahead of the July 19 opening Test in Brisbane, with the winger the Force’s best during his 60-minute effort as he made life hell at the kick restart area for the tourists.
