Perth, 28 June 2025 — The British & Irish Lions delivered a powerful statement of intent in their opening tour match, overwhelming the Western Force 54–7 in a dazzling display of attacking rugby at HBF Park.
From the first whistle, the Lions imposed their physicality and superior tempo on the hosts. Their forwards laid a solid platform, repeatedly punching holes in the Force defensive line, while the backs unleashed wave after wave of incisive attacking moves.
Tries flowed freely for the tourists, with standout performances from their backline stars. The Lions ran in eight tries in total, mixing ruthless power with creative flair. The first half alone saw them build an imposing 28–0 lead, leaving the Force chasing shadows.
Fly-half Marcus Smith pulled the strings beautifully, controlling territory and unleashing his runners with clinical precision. Wing Louis Rees-Zammit showed electric pace to cross for two tries, while inside centre Bundee Aki bulldozed through defenders to grab one of his own.
The Lions pack was no less impressive, winning the collisions and dominating the set-piece. Their scrum forced repeated penalties, and their driving maul delivered one of the tries of the night.
Western Force managed to salvage some pride with a solitary try in the second half, capitalising on a rare defensive lapse from the visitors, but it was little more than consolation. The Lions quickly resumed control, running in further scores to seal a commanding 54–7 final scoreline.
Captain Maro Itoje praised the team’s attitude:
“We wanted to make a statement early in this tour, and the boys delivered. There’s still plenty to improve on, but the energy, the accuracy, and the work rate were exactly what we asked for.”
For the Lions faithful, this was an encouraging sign that their side is well-prepared for the sterner challenges to come later on the tour. Their combination of brute power, pace, and skill proved far too much for the Force, and the manner of this victory will send a clear message to future opponents.
Final Score: British & Irish Lions 54, Western Force 7.
