B&I Lions Player Ratings v Western Force

The Lions got their tour off to a good start with a comprehensive win over the Western Force. While the scoreline looks like it was a close on perfect display, it was not with a number of things being addressed and fixed from the Los Pumas loss but a few others showing up. A few players stood out with Joe McCarthy, Elliot Daly, Henry Pollock, Finn Russell, Josh vd Flier and Garry Ringrose making claims to play in the opening test. Here are our player ratings:

1. Pierre Schoeman - 6:
   Not hugely effective with ball in hand and lacked punch at scrum time
   
   
   
2. Dan Sheehan - 7:
   Great Lions debut and captained them for it too. Ever present with valuable contributions
   
   
   
3. Tadhg Furlong - 6:
   Similar to Schoeman 
   
   
   
4. Scott Cummings - 6:
   Solid on defence but unlikely to push his way into test starter
   
   
   
5. Joe McCarthy - 9:
   Superb performance and could well partner Maro Itoje in the tests with Beirne at flank.
   
   
   
6. Tadhg Beirne - 7:
   Made a massive difference for the team having a big bulky flanker and line out option at 6
   
   
   
7. Josh vd Flier - 8:
   A super busy and near faultless performance, top tackler on the day
   
   
   
8. Henry Pollock - 8:
   Despite all the flashy stuff and niggle he does a lot of the hard work too, well balanced game
   
   
   
9. Tomos Williams - 8:
   A hamstring injury could stop him from starting a test as he was excellent on the day
   
   
   
10. Finn Russell - 7:
    You feel this could be the 10/12/13 combo against the Wallabies but Russell showed today why the test 10 jumper is his to lose
    
    
    
11. James Lowe - 7:
    Good game, heavily involved on both sides of the ball
    
    
    
12. Sione Tuipulotu - 7:
    Not vintage Tuipulotu but he and Ringrose look to be a leathal combination
    
    
    
13. Garry Ringrose - 7:
    Trademark rib tickler tackles from the consistent midfielder.
    
    
    
14. Mack Hansen - 6:
    A poor start but he never stopped trying to get in the game and that came in the second half.
    
    
    
15. Elliot Daly - 8:
    Good enough performance to get a test jumper, possible #23 but he seldom puts a foot wrong and covers three position with ease