The British and Irish Lions scored a convincing 17-0 win over an Invitational XV team at Adelaide Oval, but the victory came with its own set of concerns. Despite the dominating performance, the tour party is facing several injury worries, including Luke Cowan-Dickie’s concussion and Garry Ringrose’s absence.
The Lions’ back row trio of Duhan van der Merwe, Henry Pollock, and Jac Morgan proved to be a well-oiled machine, with Pollock scoring two tries and displaying impressive form. Owen Farrell brought some much-needed energy off the bench, including setting up Van der Merwe for his hat-trick.
The win sets an intriguing stage for the upcoming Tests in Brisbane, where the Lions will face significantly tougher opposition. The team can expect to be met with a more fired-up crowd at Suncorp Stadium, making it less likely that they’ll repeat this level of dominance. Despite the challenges ahead, the Lions’ bench options look promising, and their midfield play seems solid, particularly with Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu forming an effective partnership.
However, the tour party will need to address several injury concerns, including Cowan-Dickie’s concussion and Keenan’s late exit due to cramp. The arrival of Jamie George from Argentina adds some much-needed depth to the team, but the question remains whether the Lions can maintain this level of performance against tougher opponents.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jul/12/flying-scotsmen-see-off-scratch-anzac-side-but-cowan-dickie-head-injury-is-another-blow