Western Force vs British and Irish Lions: Henry Pollock and Finn Russell star in 54-7 win

The British and Irish Lions have launched their Australian tour on a perfect note as two of their biggest stars sounded ominous warnings to the Wallabies in a demolition of Western Force.

The British & Irish Lions have shaken off the cobwebs to launch their Australian tour with a dominant half-century win over the Western Force, courtesy of individual brilliance from wonder kid Henry Pollock and playmaker Finn Russell.

The Lions ran riot in the second half to claim a 54-7 victory at Optus Stadium in front of a record crowd of 46,656 – the biggest attendance for a Force game since their first ever Super Rugby match that drew 37,037.

British and Irish Lions score opening try vs Force

But Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt will have seen enough flaws in the Lions to take confidence ahead of the opening Test on July 19.

The Force caused the Lions problems at the scrum and with their kick-offs in the first half, while they found space through their midfield defence.

Pollock was involved in everything, setting up two tries, getting into a tryline scuffle with rival Nick Champion de Crespigny, and being sin-binned late in the first half.

But he and Russell produced inspired individual moments, while Irish lock Joe McCarthy was dominant in the pack to be awarded player of the match, while wingers James Lowe and Mack Hansen also impressed.

The visitors face a nervous wait on medical tests, with star Welsh halfback Tomos Williams suffering a hamstring injury scoring a try and being replaced immediately early in the second half.

Williams is in a head-to-head battle with Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park for the starting No. 9 jersey for the opening Test, but this injury may cruel his chances.

The Lions led 21-7 at halftime, but 15 minutes into the second stanza had raced ahead to 40-7 courtesy of three outstanding attacking tries.

The first came from 10 metres out from their own line, when a turnover was spread wide and Lowe broke free. Sublime interplay between Lowe and Williams saw the halfback cross in the corner before clutching his upper hamstring.

In the 52nd minute, another quick spread saw Elliot Daly tap the ball onto Hansen who was set free out wide, then found Garry Ringrose on the inside for an untouched run to the line.

Then Pollock’s audacious chip and regather had the Force defence in disarray. A looping wide pass from Josh van der Flier found McCarthy near the sideline and the Irishman galloped over.

Daly scored a try in the 71st after a switch play from replacement halfback Alex Mitchell to Marcus Smith whose short pass gave the fullback a free run to the line.

Lions score try after offload

Mitchell then cracked 50 after the full-time siren after a break from Sione Tuipulotu found Hansen in support, and the Aussie-born star found Mitchell on the inside.

Force winger Dylan Pietsch made a strong case for inclusion in the opening Test with an inspired performance, making several breaks in the first half and coming up with big defence, while the Force’s other winger Mac Grealy was a constant threat with his fast feet.

But the Lions will be pleased to open their account with a strong win, after losing to Argentina 28-24 last week.

Lions captain Dan Sheehan crossed after just 90 seconds, catching a cross-field kick from Russell and quickly passing inside to Lowe, who then threw a lovely back-flick pass while being tackled towards the sideline. Sheehan was backing up and gratefully accepted the pass to run it in.

Nic White hit back for the Force three minutes later, crashing over close to the ruck following a sequence of play that began with Pietch pinching the kick-off after Sheehan’s try.

The Lions regained the lead in the 17th, having repelled wave after wave of Force attack, to counter through the brilliance of Pollock.

Lions smooth move cuts open Force

British and Irish Lions cross again

The backrower broke through the line, beat Ben Donaldson, took the tackle of Alex Harford but had the presence of mind to hold the ball up so he could offload from the ground to halfback Tomos Williams who strolled over.

Russell set up the Lions’ third with a wily play following a penalty. Shaping to kick to the sideline, he realised several Force players had their backs turned heading towards the wing, so with a quick tap he raced through a scattered line, and offloaded to fullback Elliot Daly who powered over the line.

Pollock celebrated with gusto, leading Champion de Crespigny to shove him, causing a small fracas in the in-goal before the two camps were calmed.

Originally published as Western Force vs British and Irish Lions: Henry Pollock and Finn Russell star in 54-7 win