Lions Dominate Force in 54-7 Rout, But Star Scrum-Half Williams Suffers Injury Setback

In Summary:

The British & Irish Lions secured a massive 54-7 win over Western Force in their second tour game in Australia, thanks to a powerful second-half performance.
Despite the big victory, the Lions faced a major worry as key scrum-half Tomos Williams picked up a hamstring injury.
This win marks the Lions’ first on Australian soil, and they now look ahead to more warm-up games before their Test series against the Wallabies.

The British & Irish Lions showed their strength by beating Western Force 54-7 in Perth, with a strong second-half effort sealing their first victory in Australia. While the team celebrated a big win, the joy was dimmed by a hamstring injury to star scrum-half Tomos Williams. This injury is a concern for the Lions as they continue their tour, with important matches and the main Test series against the Wallabies still to come.

The British & Irish Lions secured a massive 54-7 win over Western Force in their second tour game in Australia. Photo courtesy.

Lions win big in Perth, but Williams injured.

The British & Irish Lions secured a dominant 54-7 victory over Western Force in their second tour match in Perth, a performance marked by an emphatic second-half surge.

However, the win at Optus Stadium was overshadowed by a hamstring injury to Welsh scrum-half Tomos Williams, raising concerns for the remainder of the Lions’ 2025 Australian tour.

Second-Half Dominance Seals Lions’ First Australian Win

Despite a somewhat disjointed first half, where ill-discipline saw Henry Pollock sin-binned and the Lions hold a 21-7 lead at the break, Andy Farrell’s squad asserted their class after the intermission.

The Lions unleashed a relentless attacking display, scoring five unanswered tries to overwhelm the Western Force.

Try doubles from Williams and Elliot Daly, alongside scores from Dan Sheehan, Garry Ringrose, Joe McCarthy, and Alex Mitchell, highlighting the Lions’ attacking prowess.

The initial Lions’ breakthrough came early, with captain Dan Sheehan finishing a well-worked move in just the second minute.

Western Force, however, responded swiftly through their captain, Nic White, marking their only score of the match.

Crucial moments in the first half included Henry Pollock’s superb linebreak setting up Williams’ first try and Finn Russell’s quick-tap penalty leading to Daly’s initial score.

The second half truly showcased the Lions’ intent, with Williams initiating the scoring spree before his injury. Mack Hansen and James Lowe were instrumental in a counterattack that led to Williams’ second try.

As the Force defense tired, opportunities opened up, allowing Ringrose, McCarthy, Daly, and Mitchell to add to the Lions’ tally, securing a comprehensive first win on Australian soil for the touring side.

Injury Concerns and What Lies Ahead for the Lions

The second half truly showcased the Lions’ intent. Photo courtesy.

The significant downside to the convincing victory was the hamstring injury sustained by Tomos Williams while scoring his second try early in the second half.

Lions head coach Andy Farrell confirmed the injury, stating that the extent of the damage would be assessed.

This setback is particularly concerning given that fellow scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park is already sidelined with a glute problem, potentially leaving Alex Mitchell as the sole fit specialist scrum-half for upcoming matches.

Player of the Match Joe McCarthy acknowledged the physicality of the Force, stating it was “a taste of what’s to come” from Australian teams. He emphasized the need for the Lions to be “ruthless” and continually improve.

The British & Irish Lions’ tour of Australia continues with a busy schedule of warm-up matches before the much-anticipated Test series against the Wallabies.

Their next fixture is against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on July 2, followed by matches against the Waratahs (July 5), Brumbies (July 9), an Invitational Australia & New Zealand side (July 12), and the Rebels (July 22).

The first Test against Australia is set for July 19 in Brisbane, with subsequent Tests on July 26 in Melbourne and August 2 in Sydney.