On July 22, 2025, the British & Irish Lions maintained their unbeaten streak in Australia with a hard-fought 24-19 victory over the debuting First Nations and Pasifika XV at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne. Despite a performance that was far from flawless, Andy Farrell's side showcased resilience and moments of brilliance as they prepare for the crucial second Test against the Wallabies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground this coming Saturday.
The Lions’ scoring was spearheaded by a brace from Jamie Osborne, who made an immediate impact after being a late addition to the tour party. Osborne’s first try came in the eighth minute, capitalizing on a deft chip from captain Owen Farrell, who was instrumental throughout the match. Osborne’s second try arrived just after half-time thanks to a brilliant long pass from Blair Kinghorn, who, despite some early errors, showcased his attacking prowess.
Darcy Graham, the lively Scottish winger, had a bittersweet outing. He scored a try in the 11th minute, finishing a flowing backline move that demonstrated his speed and agility. Unfortunately, Graham’s promising debut was cut short after just 16 minutes due to a lower limb injury, forcing him off the field prematurely. His early exit was a blow for the Lions, who missed his electric presence on the wing.
Scotland’s Duhan van der Merwe added the Lions’ fourth try late in the second half, finishing off a slick move initiated by Farrell’s clever dummy pass. Van der Merwe’s score further cemented his position as the Lions’ top try-scorer on tour. Although he was a constant threat with ball in hand, the First Nations and Pasifika defence managed to contain him better than usual, and he was caught out a few times in the air.
Owen Farrell, marking his 20th Lions appearance and first as captain, was the standout performer. His vision and distribution opened up the opposition’s defence on multiple occasions. Farrell’s pinpoint chip over the top set up Osborne’s opening try, and his show-and-go move in the second half directly led to van der Merwe’s try. His leadership and calm under pressure were vital in a match that saw tempers flare and momentum swing back and forth.
Fin Smith contributed four points from the boot with two early conversions but missed a few key kicks that kept the game tighter than it might have been. Smith also impressed with his defensive work, making a remarkable 15 tackles, a joint team-high for the Lions. His attacking flair was evident in the early stages, notably with a long pass that set up Graham’s try, though some scruffy moments and missed conversions slightly marred his overall impact.
Ben White, the scrum-half, provided sharp service and was key in relieving pressure with his box kicks and territorial play. Despite throwing a costly intercepted pass in the first half that almost gifted a try to the opposition, White's work rate and composure remained high throughout, earning him a solid rating.
The Lions’ forward pack had a mixed day. Pierre Schoeman battled hard in the scrums and carried frequently, though was outmatched at times by the formidable Taniela Tupou, who earned a scrum penalty against Schoeman. Jamie George was steady with accurate lineout throws and busy around the park, despite a few errors including a forward pass that frustrated the team. Finlay Bealham struggled more significantly, being overwhelmed in scrums and conceding penalties, which led to a low rating and questions over his place in the Test squad.
James Ryan’s tour continued to disappoint as he struggled to impose himself, managing only two tackles and three carries before receiving a yellow card for a professional foul. His lackluster performance has cast doubt on his selection for the upcoming Test match. Scott Cummings, however, was industrious and athletic, acting as the go-to lineout jumper and causing disruption with his counter-rucking and work around the field.
In the back row, Josh van der Flier put in a huge defensive shift with 15 tackles and was effective around the contact area, although a try was disallowed for a knock-on, and he lost possession on the line shortly after. Jac Morgan was a menace at the breakdown, winning two penalties and making several carries and tackles during his 51 minutes before being substituted, suggesting a possible bench role for the second Test. Henry Pollock struggled to physically impose himself but won a crucial turnover late in the game that helped secure the narrow victory.
The replacements offered mixed contributions. Garry Ringrose impressed, particularly after coming on early for the injured Graham, running intelligent lines and making solid tackles. Tom Clarkson improved the scrum, while Ben Earl injected energy with dynamic carries during his 30 minutes on the field. However, some bench players like Gregor Brown and Marcus Smith had less impact, and Alex Mitchell did not feature during the match.
Despite the win, the Lions showed signs of vulnerability, with several players making uncharacteristic errors and discipline issues costing valuable momentum. Blair Kinghorn, for example, had a challenging first half, throwing two intercepted passes—one of which led directly to a First Nations try—but improved his performance in the second period, topping the running metres and delivering the crucial pass for Osborne’s second try.
Andy Farrell will no doubt be pleased to maintain the Lions’ unbeaten record in Australia, but the overall team performance leaves room for improvement. The squad, hastily assembled and rotated heavily for this midweek fixture, showed grit and determination but lacked the fluidity and precision required against such a spirited and physical First Nations and Pasifika side.
With the second Test looming, Farrell faces tough selection decisions. The performances of key players like Owen Farrell, Jamie Osborne, and Garry Ringrose have put them in strong contention, while others such as James Ryan and Finlay Bealham may need to prove their worth in training or risk missing out. The Lions’ ability to tighten up their discipline and sharpen their execution will be crucial if they are to overcome Australia’s Wallabies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The First Nations and Pasifika XV, despite their debut status, pushed the Lions to the limit, scoring through Triston Reilly, Seru Uru, and Rob Leota, with Kurtley Beale contributing with the boot. Their spirited performance has certainly added intrigue to the Test series, showing that the Lions cannot afford complacency.
As the Lions regroup and prepare for the Test, the Melbourne clash serves as a reminder that while talent abounds, cohesion and consistency remain the keys to success on this demanding tour.
