The British and Irish Lions overcame a sloppy start to flex their muscles as they thrashed the Queensland Reds 54-12 in Brisbane.
The Lions bounced back from defeat to Argentina in their tour curtain-raiser by beating the Western Force in Perth in their opening match on Australian soil, and very nearly matched their tally at Suncorp Stadium. They did not, however, have things all their own way as the Reds began with real physicality, surging twice into an advantage in a first half in which the errors came a little too regularly for the tourists.
Andy Farrell will, though, be much more pleased with the second half showing as his side pulled away with 31 unanswered points, with Finn Russell and Fin Smith both tidy at 10 and the attacking game starting to click. A worry, though, will be an injury for Elliot Daly, who had heavy strapping and ice on his forearm after leaving the field in clear discomfort late on.
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- British and Irish Lions overcome sloppy start to thrash the Reds in Brisbane
- KICK OFF!
- TRY! Lions 0-7 REDS (Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 9 minutes)
- TRY! LIONS 7-7 Reds (Tommy Freeman, 20 minutes)
- TRY! Lions 7-12 REDS (Josh Flook, 26 minutes)
- TRY! LIONS 14-12 Reds (Andrew Porter, 29 minutes)
- TRY! LIONS 21-12 Reds (Duhan van der Merwe, 36 minutes)
- TRY! LIONS 28-12 Reds (Maro Itoje, 45 minutes)
- TRY! LIONS 35-12 Reds (Jac Morgan, 56 minutes)
- TRY! LIONS 42-12 Reds (Tommy Freeman, 61 minutes)
- TRY! LIONS 47-12 Reds (Huw Jones, 66 minutes)
- TRY! LIONS 52-12 Reds (Garry Ringrose, 85 minutes)
Maro Itoje stamps authority on Lions in Reds thrashing - but another sloppy start will concern Andy Farrell
13:28
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Maro Itoje stamped his authority on the British and Irish Lions with a commanding display as the Queensland Reds were overwhelmed 52-12 at Suncorp Stadium.
Making his first appearance in Australia as Lions captain, Itoje was at the heart of an eight-try rout that saw the England skipper leave his calling card on Brisbane two-and-a-half weeks out from the first Test at the same venue.
Elliot Daly, Bundee Aki and man of the match Jac Morgan also impressed, while another pleasing development was the promise shown by first-choice half-back partnership Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell.
Andy Farrell speaks to Sky Sports
13:07
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Harry Latham-Coyle
“It was a bit of everything. I don’t think it was flowing from us, it was a little stop-start at times, but when we are on I thought we played some really good stuff. It was a bit of a slow start. The Reds came out of the blocks really aggressively and dominated the first 10-15 minutes, but that’s good for us, and we settled down pretty well and played some good stuff. When the game was won, the continuity of our game wasn’t quite what we wanted it to be.
“This is where we are at now with the tour, the games are coming thick and fast and we are using those games to fast-track ourselves to the place we want to be. There are constant learnings there.
[On Elliot Daly] “He’s pretty sore in there. We’ll get him an X-ray. It looks like he’s took a knock to his forearm, so fingers crossed for him.”
“Some lads today were desperate for another crack to get out there today. May the competition continue. We’ll enjoy the win, celebrate that, and then we’ve got a three-day turnaround. That’s Lions tours for you, it’s brilliant, isn’t it?”
FT: Lions 52-12 Reds
13:01
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Harry Latham-Coyle
We await further news on Elliot Daly, though he was unlikely to feature on Saturday after being called in late for this game. Andy Farrell does have a decision to make regardless: Blair Kinghorn was surely pencilled in to start at full-back against the Waratahs having finally joined up with the squad, but Hugo Keenan is also still yet to feature after falling ill today to be denied a Lions debut. Could we see the Scot on the wing with Keenan in the 15 shirt in Sydney?
And here's Lions skipper Maro Itoje
12:56
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
“We’re happy, it was a good all-round performance,” the lock says to Sky Sports. “The first half was a bit tough, heavily contest, back-and-forth for the first 25 or 30 minutes. But we stayed consistent and were generally better.
“It’s probably a bit of a blessing in disguise that we have so many games in quick succession. ‘Just be better,’ was the message today. For Saturday, we need to be better rugby players, sharper, more accurate. We just need to be better.
“I’m loving being a part of the team. I’m enjoying the challenge, spending time with all these great players after years spent battling. Long may it continue.”
Lions flanker Jac Morgan speaks to Sky Sports
12:54
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Harry Latham-Coyle
“It was a good game. It was very physical with the way the Reds started in the first half and the intent they brought in the collisions. It was a tough match and good to get the win.
“I enjoyed it, but it was a full team performance. We spoke about how it would take a full 80 minutes and we stuck in it and kept on building during the game.
“We’ve got to keep on building now. We’ll look ahead to Sydney and learn from things.”
FT: Lions 52-12 Reds
12:51
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Another half-century, then, for the Lions, overcoming that really worrying opening quarter to pull away. The pace, physicality and intensity with which they played in the second half was very impressive and, perhaps, to be expected of a side with such depth, but 31 unanswered points will be very pleasing after a few early clunks and stutters.
Of concern? 14 handling errors, even amidst the clear ambition with which they want to play, and that injury to Elliot Daly, whose forearm remains wrapped in ice.
FULL TIME: Lions 52-12 Reds
12:48
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
TRY! LIONS 52-12 Reds (Garry Ringrose, 85 minutes)
12:48
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Garry Ringrose finishes the job!
The Lions’ scrum draws advantage and that affords Fin Smith the chance to unfurl something more expansive, a wide ball finding the centre-cum-wing with chalk on his boots and Ringrose in untouched. Smith can’t convert, meaning the Lions fall two short of their tally against the Force, but after a shaky start that was a fine second half performance.
Lions 47-12 Reds, 83 minutes
12:46
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Another penalty, this time for a deliberate knock-on from Tim Ryan. Nothing more, referee James Doleman says, with sufficient cover beyond the Reds wing to prevent a yellow card or penalty try.
Maro Itoje requests a scrum.
Lions 47-12 Reds, 82 minutes
12:45
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
A penalty comes. The Lions waste little time tapping it and assembling the carrying parties.
Lions 47-12 Reds, 80 minutes
12:43
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Hunter Paisami is some player. You wonder if we may yet see the centre involved for the Wallabies, the standout Reds performer tonight coming up with another big moment as he strips a rampaging Ellis Genge. The Reds try to go the length but are felled 40 metres from their own line, with Jac Morgan feasting on the carrion.
Back to the corner for what will actually be the final shot as the hooter blares.
Lions 47-12 Reds, 79 minutes
12:42
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Right, one last shot for the Lions at another half-century. To the corner the forwards follow Fin Smith’s punted penalty...
Lions 47-12 Reds, 78 minutes
12:41
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Maro Itoje, meanwhile, continues his stormer with another lineout steal. There’s no real lift, either, the sheer spring of the Lions lock enough to get up and snatch away the throw of Josh Nasser.
Lions 47-12 Reds, 77 minutes
12:40
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Ben Earl makes good metres on the shoulder of Fin Smith, the Englishman adapting to that centre role. Options aplenty for Andy Farrell in the back row, but you’d say that capacity to cover could well earn Earl a spot somewhere in the 23. These have been encouraging minutes from Jack Conan and Jac Morgan, though, who are both going 80.
Lions 47-12 Reds, 74 minutes
12:38
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Oh no! The eyes lit up for Lachie Anderson, dreams of a scintillating 50-metre score after blazing away down the right...only for him to produce a horrible hack of a chip in an attempt to beat the last defender! Into touch on the full it sails having come right off the outside of his boot - it’s not quite been Anderson’s night, though his speed and sharpness have been evident.
Lions 47-12 Reds, 73 minutes
12:36
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Freeman’s ability to play outside centre and full-back may be made even more important by the status of Elliot Daly: there is a load of ice on the forearm of the replaced back.
Lions 47-12 Reds, 72 minutes
12:35
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
This could be a crucial 10 minutes in determining the construction of the Lions’ bench come the Tests. You’d say the likelihood of Andy Farrell going six forwards to two backs will be greatly increased if he feels Ben Earl can effectively cover 12, or Tommy Freeman anywhere from 13-15, given it would reduce the need for specialist cover.
That’s not Fin Smith’s best moment. A chance to counter-attack is passed up in favour of a kick, which trundles dead.
Maro Itoje receives a bit of treatment before the scrum: the Lions captain has been outstanding tonight and presumably won’t play on Saturday against the Waratahs.
Lions 47-12 Reds, 70 minutes
12:32
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
The Reds have hardly had a sniff in this second half, though replacement half-backs Louis Werchon and Isaac Henry attempt to get them going again. Seru Uru, who has flashed at points, produces another alley-oop offload but Lachie Anderson is driven into touch, inadvertently, by the back of a tumbling Alex Mitchell.
Lions 47-12 Reds, 68 minutes
12:31
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Elliot Daly has now departed, his limb hanging limply at his side. That does really look a worry, though he’ll need a scan to assess the severity.
Ben Earl, meanwhile, is on...at centre. We’ve seen it a few times for England and now the versatile back rower gets a chance in a Lions shirt, posing some interesting tactical ideas for Andy Farrell. Garry Ringrose has replaced Daly and gone to the wing, with Tommy Freeman now at full-back in this rather avant-garde backline.
TRY! LIONS 47-12 Reds (Huw Jones, 66 minutes)
12:28
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Plucked out of the air and away Huw Jones goes! A curious chip kick is ill-conceived and ill-executed by Tim Ruan as he runs back a Lions punt, allowing Jones to leap and latch on. Jones moves up through the gears and accelerates into the right corner as the Lions near 50.
Lions 42-12 Reds, 64 minutes
12:26
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Elliot Daly looks like he’ll continue, which is good news, though he does shake out the left arm as he re-takes his place in the backfield. I’m not sure he’ll be wanting to take too much more contact in the remainder.
Finn Russell does have ice on his wrist on the bench...
Lions 42-12 Reds, 64 minutes
12:24
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Oh dear. Oh dear, oh dear. This could be a real shame for Elliot Daly, who has had a cracking tour so far - he gets up clutching his arm or shoulder after shooting out of the line to make a tackle. With Hugo Keenan still yet to play, and Blair Kinghorn only just arrived, Daly had made a real run for the 15 shirt - on rush a couple of medics to see to him, and let’s hope it isn’t too serious.
TRY! LIONS 42-12 Reds (Tommy Freeman, 61 minutes)
12:22
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Pace on the ball, power in the carry, the Lions are pulling away! The Reds just have nothing to combat the physical intensity that the Lions are starting to bring, and Tommy Freeman adeptly uses his natural burl to spin through two tacklers to the line. That’s the sort of finish that Freeman is so good at - and the fact he scored it over towards Duhan van der Merwe’s wing shows the freedom with which he and his fellow back three cohort are able to operate.
Fin Smith adds the conversion.
Lions 35-12 Reds, 60 minutes
12:20
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Jac Morgan slips as he eyes a quickfire double, though the Reds can’t limpet over the ball to much stall the Lions’ momentum. You feel another score will surely come...
Lions 35-12 Reds, 59 minutes
12:19
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
This has been far more like it from the Lions, starting to play something resembling Test match rugby. Elliot Daly grubbers into space after initially exploiting a soft corner to make ground; Tommy Freeman chases hard, Bundee Aki jackals for a penalty.
James Ryan relieves Ollie Chessum in the second row. A Lions debut for the Leinster lock, perhaps overdue.
TRY! LIONS 35-12 Reds (Jac Morgan, 56 minutes)
12:17
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
The last Welshman on tour has a score! The Reds initially do very well to shut down Bundee Aki before he can give a try-scoring offload, yet there is no denying Jac Morgan as he knifes the defence with a really cutting line. It’s excellent from Alex Mitchell, too, picking the right runner with Maro Itoje drawing the defenders just on the inside of Morgan.
Lions 28-12 Reds, 55 minutes
12:15
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
The Lions take a scrum option at the penalty, spreading the backline either side of the centrefield set-piece.
Lions 28-12 Reds, 53 minutes
12:14
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Jack Conan is rocked by a stiff double tackle but the Reds are soon penalised. The hosts, too, go to their bench - away go Matt Faessler and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto with Josh Nasser and Angus Blyth introduced. They’ll head down into their own 22 to try and prevent the Lions converting a lineout to a score.
Nifty stuff from the tourists - Luke Cowan-Dickie is sprung down the tramlines by a lovely routine at the front. A penalty soon comes as the pressure builds.
Lions 28-12 Reds, 51 minutes
12:12
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
The first use of the Lions’ bench: on come Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Finlay Bealham, plus half-backs Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith. 50 minutes, then, for Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell - you suspect we might see them back together in Brisbane come the first Test.
Captain Itoje is still out there, and makes amends for his misdeed by nicking a lineout.
Lions 28-12 Reds, 50 minutes
12:10
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
The 18th phase comes before the stalemate is snapped - a high tackle perhaps slightly harshly called on Maro Itoje from earlier in the movement.
Lions 28-12 Reds, 49 minutes
12:09
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
The Lions have just tweaked things a bit defensively, not going quite as hard at the breakdown as they were at times in the first half having fallen foul of the referee’s whistle a couple of times. Their focus of keeping players on their feet allow them to raise the ramparts 35 metres from their own line, the Reds playing 15 phases but going the square root of nowhere.
TRY! LIONS 28-12 Reds (Maro Itoje, 45 minutes)
12:06
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Indeed it is! Route one from Bundee Aki, showing the benefit of all those short passes in the first half as he ploughs the roadblocks away with the Reds defence holding back in anticipation of the transfer.
Jamison Gibson-Park has the sharpness of thought and foot to snipe into spaces vacant around the ruck thereafter, and the skipper is on hand to finish the job as Maro Itoje snares himself a score. Finn Russell adds the extra two.
Lions 21-12 Reds, 43 minutes
12:04
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
The Lions go back to basics, kicking long and trying to play a squeeze game. They succeed, though get a touch fortunate with Seru Uru’s offload evading Matt Faessler after Tom Curry had rushed up but failed to shut down his opposite number. Lovely footwork from Uru, the big blindside.
It will be a Lions scrum, though, right of centre and 25 out. A chance to unleash a set-piece strike?
Lions 21-12 Reds, 41 minutes
12:01
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Kalani Thomas has a chuckle with his teammates after slightly skewing his first box kick of the second 40. The Lions will have a lineout 36 metres from the Reds’ line...and can’t claim it, a pinching paw up in front of intended target Ollie Chessum. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto was the man hoisted high to force another handling error from the tourists.
Second half...
12:00
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
To prove one of those points, there were eight carries apiece from the two Lions wings in that first half - they really are managing to get to the edge. Maro Itoje looks to be laying down the law just before the Lions re-emerge. Can his side tighten up a few areas and start to really cut loose?
The Reds will want another strong start. Their physicality in the first 15 minutes was excellent, with Hunter Paisami to the fore.
HT: Lions 21-12 Reds
11:53
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
The nine/10 combination of Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell have provided fizz, you’d say, while Tommy Freeman and Duhan van der Merwe have begun to inter-link in the way that Mack Hansen and James Lowe do so effectively in this Irish system. Jack Conan’s had a really solid half, too, one would say.
The lack of cohesion and connection has been evident in places again. A couple of times Bundee Aki has looked to move the ball at the line, as he likes to, and not quite been reading from the same hymn sheet as a teammate.
HT: Lions 21-12 Reds
11:49
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Plenty of good, plenty of bad from the tourists, the Lions starting to roar in attack but very, very sloppy at times as well - as nine handling errors prove. Their scrum hasn’t fully fired, either, which has allowed the Queensland Reds a foothold. Another slow start will surely be reason for concern for Andy Farrell, though he’ll expect his side to pull away after the interval.
HALF TIME: Lions 21-12 Reds
11:45
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Lions 21-12 Reds, 39 minutes
11:44
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
The Lions are starting to fizz. Finn Russell takes a sore one in the ribs moments after getting a pass away but that means that there are defenders off their feet as the rest of the backline round the corner, Tommy Freeman again taking the green, green grass on offer. His grubber just evades Jamison Gibson-Park.
That, though, is a chance squandered. Duhan van der Merwe’s kick return sets up a five-on-three out to the left yet the ball travels forward from the fingertips of Ronan Kelleher after Huw Jones needlessly cuts out the linking hands of Jack Conan.
No try! Lions 21-12 Reds, 37 minutes
11:42
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
It was Jamison Gibson-Park and Jack Conan who got themselves in a right muddle - have they been fortunate? The ball kicks on and into the flag in the back corner of the in-goal area, with Lachie Anderson diving on it to try to ground. It just, just seems to have gone dead before he is able to do so - a really lucky escape for the Lions as their problems from Perth re-appear.
Anderson is just denied - and the Lions will have a scrum way back on halfway, of course.
Lions 21-12 Reds, 37 minutes
11:40
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
My oh my, what has happened there? A shocker from the British and Irish Lions as they let the restart bounce and perhaps concede the softest of tries...
TRY! LIONS 21-12 Reds (Duhan van der Merwe, 36 minutes)
11:39
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Another sharp Lions score! That’s very, very tidy from a couple of the burlier blokes, the catch-pass drill seemingly simple but executed at high speed, close to contact by both Ollie Chessum and Jack Conan. Duhan van der Merwe is just about unstoppable with a sliver of space six metres out; Finn Russell’s conversion is outstanding from the touchline.
Lions 14-12 Reds, 35 minutes
11:38
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
That’s handy for the Lions, a free kick against the Reds at the scrum - it seems someone other than the hooker made sure that the ball escaped the tunnel. Off Jamison Gibson-Park goes, keen not to let the Reds defence settle.
Lions 14-12 Reds, 34 minutes
11:37
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Tommy Freeman trots over the line for a second time tonight but he’ll be denied, the Reds throwing the ball about with reckless abandon knowing they have an advantage following a Will Stuart knock-on. It was a really poor decision from Bundee Aki to throw a pass to the tighthead, the pair barely a metre apart and Stuart much too flat to be a genuine carrying option.
Lions 14-12 Reds, 33 minutes
11:35
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Elliot Daly clings on! The Englishman was a very keen, and rather good, cricketer in his youth and that’s a really good grab, the full-back like a midwicket fielder charging back towards the boundary and gathering in his grasp even as the ball swirls on him. He claims a mark to settle his side down.
Lions 14-12 Reds, 31 minutes
11:34
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
There have been some good bits to this Lions performance despite the inherent sloppiness. Their first-phase attack has looked really sharp, while both Tommy Freeman and Duhan van der Merwe have had plenty of touches. Still, though, those mistakes are coming, a high kick not handled well by Elliot Daly and co. as the Reds press towards the 22 again.
TRY! LIONS 14-12 Reds (Andrew Porter, 29 minutes)
11:32
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
...And Andrew Porter is over!
Straightforward and simple from the Lions, eschewing anything creative or complex from the tap play. Up the jumper from Kelleher and then his fellow front row, with Ollie Chessum and Jac Morgan in the boot to lend some extra weight after Porter had initially taken contact. The Lions lead for the first time.
NO TRY! Lions 7-12 Reds, 28 minutes
11:31
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Not quite - Tommy Freeman is a sizeable specimen but he didn’t quite have the arm length to get there.
A high tackle brings a penalty nonetheless. Ronan Kelleher will tap and go...
Lions 7-12 Reds, 28 minutes
11:30
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
This topsy-turvy contest continues. Once again, the Reds make a mess of their restart receipt, allowing the Lions a chance to get on the attack again.
Duhan van der Merwe scorches a trail down the left touchline, before the tourists come back infield. Now, has Tommy Freeman got there? The wing was felled just short but might have flicked the chalk with his reach underneath the posts...
TRY! Lions 7-12 REDS (Josh Flook, 26 minutes)
11:28
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
A delicious kick is devoured by Josh Flook!
Outstanding! The Lions get a little bit short on the blindside so Duhan van der Merwe is forced to rush up and round to cover the outside man. Kalani Thomas very cannily spots the space left beyond him, and has the right recipe, cooking up a gorgeous little grubber, Between Van der Merwe and Huw Jones inside him shoots Flook, first to the table to gobble it up and put the Reds back in front.
Lions 7-7 Reds, 24 minutes
11:25
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
But still the errors come. The Reds are going nowhere on halfway but the Lions can’t resist putting their paws on the cookie jar - they are caught red handed and concede a soft penalty.
Lions 7-7 Reds, 23 minutes
11:25
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
The Lions defuse the danger...just about! A sharp defensive set leaves the ball slow for the Reds and Hunter Paisami thus launches a slightly aimless crossfield kick, though Duhan van der Merwe does his best to make a hash of controlling it as it hops about like a caffeinated hare. Eventually, it’s very good work from the Scot, extricating himself from his own in-goal with power and pace before offloading to Jamison Gibson-Park and allowing his side to clear.
Lions 7-7 Reds, 22 minutes
11:23
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
The Lions had really taken control of the territorial battle over the last ten minutes but that will give the Reds an easy entry into their 22, Jamison Gibson-Park’s weaker left boot used in the manner of a Sunday league swinger rather than the cultured controller the Ireland scrum half usually is.
TRY! LIONS 7-7 Reds (Tommy Freeman, 20 minutes)
11:21
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
The Lions strike - finally! It’s a score finished by the backs, neat handling affording Tommy Freeman the space he needs to hustle down the right, but give the credit to the forwards, dismantling the Reds pack at the maul to suck all the bodies in. Elliot Daly tosses the scoring pass to his English back-three colleague - the Lions are up and running in Brisbane after another pretty shaky opening quarter.
Lions 0-7 Reds, 18 minutes
11:20
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Kalani Thomas has plenty of strength for a scrum half, and showcases the long-arm to remove Maro Itoje from his chest rather impressively. The Lions skipper gets revenge, though, extracting the ball from a ruck. The Reds’ attempts to do the same are whistled by referee James Doleman - a real chance, this, you’d say, as Finn Russell finds the corner.
Lions 0-7 Reds, 17 minutes
11:18
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Fumbled with the line in sight! Some far, far better attacking play through the phases from the Lions but the last pass doesn’t stick. Tommy Freeman makes initial inroads down the right after a looping Finn Russell and Duhan van der Merwe had created open acreage for the end man on the line, and there’s space as they sweep back to the left. Elliot Daly presses the accelerator and asks Tom Curry to come back underneath on a switch, but there’s a malfunction at the junction, and it’ll be a Reds scrum five out from their own line.
And a Reds penalty! Andrew Porter is pinged...
Lions 0-7 Reds, 15 minutes
11:16
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Two good moments from the flankers: Jac Morgan pilfers a breakdown steal before Tom Curry swats away two would-be tacklers to make 10 metres or so. Again, though, the Lions are loose in contact, a strip by the Reds earning them possession and allowing them to clear.
Lions 0-7 Reds, 14 minutes
11:15
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
The sloppy start from the Lions continues. They try to execute a play from the goalline dropout in a very Ireland-esque pattern, but Bundee Aki coughs up the ball.
Lions 0-7 Reds, 12 minutes
11:13
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Over the maul rumbles...held up! Superb defence from the Reds, just about getting bodies beneath the maul to prevent it being grounded.
Lions 0-7 Reds, 11 minutes
11:12
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
The Lions win back the restart and go on the hunt for a quick response. A penalty affords them a prod to the corner.
TRY! Lions 0-7 REDS (Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 9 minutes)
11:10
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
And there is the opening score! The Lions just couldn’t combat the Reds forwards as they clattered around the corner, and Jeffery Toomaga-Allen provides the telling biff as he bashes away fellow former Wasp Elliot Daly. A great start from the hosts with the conversion simple.
Lions 0-0 Reds, 8 minutes
11:09
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
A first glimpse of what the Reds can do in possession, Tim Ryan roaming off his wing effectively before Harry McLaughlin-Phillips and Hunter Paisami interchange well. Into the Lions 22 they rumble.
Pure power! A great carry from Joe Brial, thundering through a couple of Lions like a locomotive.
Lions 0-0 Reds, 6 minutes
11:07
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Maro Itoje again puts pressure on the lineout of the hosts, though the Reds do manage to just about cling on to the pill. The ball thereafter is slow, though, forcing Kalani Thomas to the air.
Tommy Freeman claims superbly, but his handling is imprecise as he comes to floor. A slightly sloppy start in parts from the tourists.
Lions 0-0 Reds, 4 minutes
11:05
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
This scrum battle could be fun tonight, Will Stuart perhaps in pole position for the tighthead shirt with Tadhg Furlong not quite at his brilliant best so far yet up against fine opposition in Aidan Ross, recruited from the Super Rugby champion Chiefs ahead of this game. The Lions get a nudge on but are penalised for their angle - Stuart shoots a questioning look the officials having seemingly been the man pinged.
Lions 0-0 Reds, 3 minutes
11:04
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
The Lions’ lineout is a messy enough thing but Maro Itoje is sharp of thought and hand to pick up the pieces. A neat toss to Tom Curry gets the momentum building.
It’s a strong stand from the Reds, though, after those initial inroads, forcing a fumble on the floor from Jamison Gibson-Park over some ruck detritus.
Lions 0-0 Reds, 2 minutes
11:02
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
And, by contrast, that’s a wretched start from the Reds. Matt Faessler’s dart hits Joe Brial at the tail but scrum half Kalani Thomas knocks on the transfer - and an offside teammate concedes a penalty. Down towards the 22 Finn Russell boots the Lions.
Lions 0-0 Reds, 1 minute
11:01
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
There were real problems with the restarts for the Lions on Saturday but their first exit tonight is rather better, a comfortable take followed by a decent boxed clearance from Jamison Gibson-Park.
KICK OFF!
11:01
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
A blast of James Doleman’s whistle and the Reds get proceedings underway!
Lions vs Reds