Player ratings: The British & Irish Lions opened their 2025 campaign with a 28-24 loss that offered plenty of excitement, a dash of spectacle but a little too much inaccuracy in unusually warm conditions at a sold-out Aviva Stadium.
The combinations are clearly in their infancy, so it’s hardly a case of panic stations for Andy Farrell and co.
Here’s how the Lions players rated, who failed to click in Dublin.
1. Ellis Genge – 6
Solid in the set-piece and busy around the fringes, even if he fell off a few tackles. Held his end of the scrum with minimal fuss against 137kg of Joel Sclavi and caught the eye with a particularly snarling 20-metre carry.
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie – 5
A fumble cost him the opening try of the 2025 Lions Series off a Lions catch and drive. A few too many lineout howlers from the Cornishman, his Bluetooth connection with Itoje looking a tad unstable.
3. Finlay Bealham – 6.5
Scrummaged reasonably cleanly and contributed around the park in the carry and breakdown. Not especially eye-catching but effective throughout.
4. Maro Itoje – 6
A low-key performance from the skipper on an individual level. His lineout connection with Cowan-Dickie looked a little patchy at times [it was better with Ronan Kelleher] but he got through plent of grunt work.
5. Tadhg Beirne – 7.5
Showed good mobility and was active at the breakdown. His link play in the wider channels remains a strength, even in a relatively contained performance. Deserved his 53rd minute try as the Lions’ most effective forward.
6. Tom Curry – 6.5
Got through a high volume of work, including an early try saver. Offered some physicality on both sides of the ball, although was part of a back-row that maybe lacked the overall bulk to worry the Argie big boys in contact. One of the Lions’ few reliable lineout options.
7. Jac Morgan – 6
Physical in contact and consistent in the tackle. One of the more industrious forwards and worked well in tandem with Curry and Earl, even if he may have forced it on occasion.
8. Ben Earl – 6
Covered the backfield well and was reliable in transition. Less prominent as a carrier than in the Six Nations, but offered solid link play and work rate.
9. Alex Mitchell – 7
Provided tempo and distribution from the base, with a few flashy moments thrown into the mix. His ambition occasionally outpaced his support, but the intent was positive.
10. Fin Smith – 7.5
A composed performance, even if his teammates failed to click outwide. Managed territory effectively and looked comfortable guiding the team. No major errors in his first Lions start.
11. Duhan van der Merwe – 5
A mixed bag from big Dewie. A couple of promising inside cuts opened his account, but the defensive ring rust was there to see, having very little recent rugby under his belt. Got beaten with an Ignacio Mendy inside step for Los Pumas’ opening five-pointer and was somewhat at fault for Los Pumas’ score just before half-time. Always drew defensive attention and made plenty of metres after contact.
12. Bundee Aki – 7
Helped set the tone with a powerful opening try [after several failed Lions’ attempts] and consistently battered the Argentine defensive line. Central to a backline that at times sparkled and at times spluttered in the handling department.
13. Sione Tuipulotu – 6
Direct and dynamic, although he lacked accuracy on occasion. While the connection with Aki wasn’t always seamless, the pairing showed cleared signs of promise.
14. Tommy Freeman – 6.5
Worked hard off the ball and contributed well under the high ball. Took several defenders to drag him down on most carries. A few times found himself in no-man’s land defensively and was part of Lions defence that looked a little too shaky on the edge.
15. Marcus Smith – 5
Scrappy enough for the Harlequin. Opened his 2025 Lions’ account with a poor kick chase and miss tackle and didn’t look terribly comfortable in the air either. Saw a bit of ball but was proved a limited counter-attacking threat. Didn’t force the game but did his best to remain involved from the back. Overall, an evening to forget.
REPLACEMENTS
16. Ronan Kelleher – 7
The Lions lineout certainly improved with the Leinster man on, at least initially. An overthrow in the 71st minute was against the run of play.
17. Pierre Schoeman – 6.5
Strong at scrumtime and added physicality in close quarters.
18. Tadhg Furlong – 6
Reintroduced, having missed Leinster’s URC final win six days earlier. A late HIA aside, seemed to survive unscathed, which was probably enough for Andy Farrell.
19. Scott Cummings – NA
Not on long enough to rate.
20. Henry Pollock – 5
Looked pumped on the sidelines but struggled to deliver any highlight reel stuff on this occasion. Active around the breakdown and certainly showed no signs of being overawed on Lions debut.
21. Tomos Williams – 6
Played his role without overextending. Wasn’t scared the play the ball in the face of an embarassing loss.
22. Elliot Daly – 7.5
Slotted into the midfield well and offered left-footed kicking options. The backline looked a little more balanced with the Englishman sparking attacks.
23. Mack Hansen – 6
A huge roar when he came on. Looked sharp with limited opportunities.
