The British and Irish Lions continued their tour of Australia by taking on Western Force in Perth.
Warren Gatland's men got off to a great start with a 59-8 win over the Barbarians in Hong Kong on Saturday, but were looking to get their first win down under.
The tourists fielded a completely changed team from the weekend, while Force also made alterations to their usual Super Rugby side.
The Lions put in a strong performance to earn a big-scoring win over the Force.
Read how it all went in our live commentary below.
Good morning, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the British and Irish Lions tour. Today, Warren Gatland's side take on the Western Force in Australia in the second match of their summer tour.
So far so good from the tour as, if you joined me on Saturday you will have seen, the side dismantle the Barbarians in Hong Kong in an eight-try performance. You can read the report of that match here.
The match starts in around 20 minutes' time, and there has been a lot of controversy heading into this encounter.
That has mainly come when discussing the opposition Western Force, or Western Farce as some are calling them, who are fielding an under-strength side.
Head coach Warren Gatland has admitted that he is a bit concerned about facing a weakened team, although his assistant Graham Rowntree doesn't believe that the opposition is too bad.
The team news for the Lions is that Ireland legend Brian O'Driscoll leads a completely changed side from the opener. We'll bring you the team news shortly...
LIONS XV: Halfpenny, Bowe, O'Driscoll , Tuilagi, North, Sexton, Murray; Healy, Best, Cole, Jones, Evans, Croft, O'Brien, Heaslip
WESTERN FORCE XV: Christie, Haylett-Petty, Stubbs, Tuatara-Morrison, Brown, Norton-Knight, Sheehan, Brown, Hodgson, Cottrell, Battye, Lynn, Ma'afu, Hilterbrand, Manu
One of the main issues during the match with the Baa-Baas at the weekend was the humidity in Hong Kong. You could see the players dripping with sweat, and frequently engaged in scheduled water breaks. However, Gatland doesn't think that the Lions will endured such problems today.
Gatland: "Conditions are absolutely perfect here tonight."
Now, time to bring you some more reaction to the Western Force team selection, starting with the full quotes from Warren Gatland.
Gatland: "We wanted to play the strongest team possible. But we can't worry about them too much - we've got to concentrate on ourselves."
England's World Cup-winning head coach Sir Clive Woodward has also had his say on the matter...
Woodward: "It is unacceptable and disgraceful to cobble together a weakened, second-string club team to play against some of the best players in the world on one of the great rugby tours.
"Treating the Lions with such contempt threatens to undermine their status in the global game.
"The Lions come to Australia once every 12 years but if this is how they are going to be treated in this country then they should seriously consider whether to return."
Away from that debate, the players can only play what is in front of them and Rory Best, Ian Evans, Manu Tuilagi, Dan Cole and Sean O'Brien are all making their Lions debut today.
Five minutes until the kick off.
Personally, I cannot wait for this centre pairing of O'Driscoll and Tuilagi. They have a lot to live up to though after the Welsh domination on Saturday from Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies.
The scene is set in Perth, but we're still awaiting the two teams at the Patersons Stadium.
The wait is over! Out come the Lions, led by Brian O'Driscoll, onto the field.
And here are the Western Force, to a big reception. They face the Lions for the first time ever today.
There's bound to be a ton of changes throughout the match, so here are the benches for the two sides.
LIONS REPLACEMENTS: Youngs, Vunipola, Stevens, Parling, Faletau, Youngs, Farrell, Maitland
FORCE REPLACEMENTS: Roach, Kolo, Metcher, Matwijow, McCaffrey, Mathewson, Haining, Rasolea
WE'RE UNDERWAY IN PERTH!
Worrying start for the Force as Tommy Bowe drifts through the defenders as if they weren't there. The Lions are eventually awarded the penalty, and Halfpenny should convert this.
PENALTY SCORED! Lions 3-0 Force (Leigh Halfpenny)
It's a simple and early score for Halfpenny that puts the Lions ahead from the kicking tee.
The Lions have a lot of support in the stands, and probably outweigh the Force fans.
Sexton plays a wonderful cross-field kick into the which lands in the hands of the leaping North, who is met with two tackles on the far side. The crowd certainly enjoyed that.
There is a hint of a drizzle taking place in Perth, not that many would complain about that after Saturday's heat.
Nice break from the Lions, running it from right to left. Sexton caused a lot of problems by passing it to North, who battered his way past one before being stopped by a second. Momentum still there.
TRY! Lions 8-0 Force (Johnny Sexton)
We have the first try of the game and it's come from Sexton. It's a lovely bit of play from him, who started the move in the first place, as he picks the ball out from the ruck and dummies his marker before running through three defenders and places the ball under the post. Nice stuff.
CONVERSION SCORED! Lions 10-0 Force (Leigh Halfpenny)
Halfpenny, who is the designated kicker today despite Sexton's presence on the field, adds the extras.
Nice start, as predicted, for the Lions.
The Lions have a penalty as Sean O'Brien's scrum hat is nearly ripped off his head. This starts a slight case of handbags, but nothing much.
Tuilagi, if you ever doubted his ability as a tank, just bulldozed over his opponent from a standing position. What a monster.
Tuilagi goes very close to getting a second try, he smashes his way through the pack but Force can do just enough to prevent his hand going over the line by the posts.
It's very easy for the Lions at the moment, not really had to get out of second gear yet. Can't even remember what their own half looks like it's been so one-sided.
The referee goes to the TMO to find out if Healy was elbowed or not. The evidence is inconclusive, and the Lions have a great chance to score right by the try line.
The Lions dominate the scrum on the 22, and Conor Murray wheels away with the ball but let's it slip from his grasp as he was closing in on the line.
Wow, what a turn of events. The Lions start on the attack and nearly end up conceding themselves. The place a kick into touch as they look to close in on a second try. The lineout is poor and the Force can clear away. The catch looks simple for Healy, but he is beaten to it by Corey Brown, who is through on the line, but Healy can hold on.
Momentum still with Force here.
The Lions defence is really being tested here, we're five metres from the post.
Force have a penalty after O'Driscoll is deemed offside. They are very close to the posts so it will be interesting to see what they're going to go for.
Norton-Knight kicks it out of play. The Force opt for a lineout. However, their throw isn't great, and the Lions can temporarily clear the danger.
Both teams are opting to kick into touch on the penalties and go for a try, rather than the three points.
The Force are penalised as their lineout isn't straight at all. We'll have the scrum instead.
The game has gone a bit quiet, with the Force really asking some questions of the Lions. The tourists lose out on another lineout, an area where they have been very poor so far.
The Force have been given a penalty, and they look as if they are going for the kick. They deserve it though on the basis on the past 10 minutes or so, Sheehan lines it up.
PENALTY SCORED! Lions 10-3 Force (Brett Sheehan)
Sheehan keeps his cool to nail the kick and get the Force on the scoreboard.
Brian O'Driscoll looks as if he has scored for the Lions! It's going to the TMO, but he looks very confident that he dives his way into the corner. It's a try. Just waiting for the confirmation.
TRY! Lions 15-3 Force (Brian O'Driscoll)
So the Lions hit straight back with great hands sending the skipper away down the touchline before squeezing his way in at the corner.
CONVERSION SCORED! Lions 17-3 Force (Leigh Halfpenny)
That's why Halfpenny is the kicker. What a strike! A superb kick from him out wide.
The Lions have the momentum and are well on top now, but worrying times are ahead for Cian Healy. He lands horribly after a tackle and is in some pain. On first glance, that could be a tour-ending injury.
The stretcher and buggy are both out.
It looks as if Vunipola is going to be coming on for Healy.
Healy is taking off on the buggy, and Vunipola comes on in his place. It looks bad. Will that be the last we see of Cian Healy? I'd be inclined to say yes.
Some breaking news is that Healy has been accused of trying to bite Brett Sheehan in the first 15 minutes of the match. Nothing confirmed yet.
PENALTY SCORED! Lions 20-3 Force (Leigh Halfpenny)
Another fine kick from Halfpenny keeps the score ticking over for the Lions.
The Lions are so close in the final play of this half.
TRY! Lions 25-3 Force (Tom Croft)
The Lions were nearly in earlier through O'Driscoll, but he was thwarted by a Force wall. However, the amount of bodies taken to stop O'Driscoll from scoring means that the Lions have a lot of room on the other side. The Lions have the number and Jones plays in Croft who has a very simple tap down.
CONVERSION SCORED! Lions 27-3 Force (Leigh Halfpenny)
HALF TIME: British and Irish Lions 27-3 Western Force
Another awesome Halfpenny kick sees us through to half time where the Lions lead by 24 points. A few shaky moments at time, and a concerning injury to Healy are obvious worries. However, the Lions have grown into the match and lead well at the break.
We've got some more news on that alleged bite incident. Force scrum-half Brett Sheehan has told officials that he is not sure if the alleged bite by Cian Healy was intentional.
The teams are back out onto the pitch.
WE'RE OFF IN THE SECOND HALF!
Early news on the Healy injury. There is hope that he may have just got away with a sprained ankle, but he is still being taken to hospital.
TRY! Lions 32-3 Force (Jamie Heaslip)
Lovely stuff from the Lions who are camped in a ruck five metres from the posts. Sexton picks the ball out and plays a wonderful pass out wide to Heaslip, who has all the time in the world to jog over.
CONVERSION SCORED! Lions 34-3 Force (Leigh Halfpenny)
Dangerous moments here for the Lions, Force are close to the try line and look as if they are going to get it.
TRY! Lions 34-8 Force (Richard Brown)
One try apiece in this half as the Force go close initially before Sheehan plays a short pass to an onrushing Richard Brown, who goes over for the try.
CONVERSION SCORED! Lions 34-10 Force (Brett Sheehan)
Simple kick for Sheehan, who adds the extras.
TRY! Lions 39-10 Force (Mako Vunipola)
A frenzy of scoring here as the Lions instantly hit back once more. This time the ball is worked along the line before Mako Vunipola continues his recent scoring run by going over in the corner.
CONVERSION SCORED! Lions 41-10 Force (Leigh Halfpenny)
No mistake from the brilliant Halfpenny. Seven from seven, and the Lions now have a 31-point lead once again.
The Lions are looking for more tries as Sexton puts the ball in the corner with the boot.
It doesn't quite work out for the Lions on this occasion but they are really pressing for more scores.
Sexton puts the ball out of play in the corner once again, Lions lineout to come.
The Lions are on the brink of another score, the Force are holding strong so far.
SIN BIN! Ed Stubbs is shown the yellow card for kicking the ball. He'll take a short time out now.
TRY! Lions 46-10 Force (Tommy Bowe)
Tommy Bowe shows perseverance to take the pass from O'Brien and bump off two defenders before diving over in the corner. His second of the night.
CONVERSION SCORED! Lions 48-10 Force (Leigh Halfpenny)
Halfpenny makes it eight from eight and he is kicking like a dream. This one is from the touchline once again, but he makes it looks so easy as it arrows just inside the far post.
TRY! Lions 48-15 Force (Lechlan McCaffrey)
Force aren't done just yet. They ruck the ball over on the try line before passing it back to McCaffrey. He absorbs the hit but nothing is stopping him from forcing his way under the posts.
CONVERSION SCORED! Lions 48-17 Force (Brett Sheehan)
Easy for Sheehan, the Force aren't mugging themselves off. Another score for them.
TRY! Lions 53-17 Force (Brian O'Driscoll)
The Lions have done it again. Every time they concede a score, they race down the other end and score. Unusually it was Manu Tuilagi helping O'Driscoll over to score.
CONVERSION SCORED! Lions 55-17 Force (Leigh Halfpenny)
My word what a ruckus, another try on the way surely!
TRY! Lions 60-17 Force (Owen Farrell)
Owen Farrell has only just come onto the field but it has completely opened up for him as he picks up the ball and races to the posts.
CONVERSION SCORED! Lions 62-17 Force (Leigh Halfpenny)
Leigh Halfpenny. Need I say more? Phenomenal.
Wow that was a difficult few minutes to keep up with. You're up to date now, but Force are closing in on another try. I'm tired.
SIN BIN! Alun-Wyn Jones is given a yellow card for slowing down the ball in the shadow of his own posts.
Tom Croft takes a massive smash to head in an accidental collision that looks nasty. He receives some treatment but gets back to his feet. He comes off in the process but deserves a pat on the back for carrying on.
Among all the excitement, there is a Mexican wave going on.
The Force were closing in on another try there, but unfortunately for them, the Lions manage to turn it over.
TRY! Lions 67-17 (Geoff Parling)
Great try! The Lions really had to work that from one end to the other. They kept trying and trying, and in the Parling pushed his way over to score.
CONVERSION SCORED! Lions 69-17 Force (Leigh Halfpenny)
What an afternoon Halfpenny is having. The Lions now have a 52-point lead.
The horn has sounded, we're in the last play of the game now.
FULL TIME: British and Irish Lions 69-17 Western Force
Very big win for the Lions then, and a very good performance, although there are still parts to improve on after a match against a poor Force outfit.
So far so good, but nothing to get too excited about just yet. Queensland Reds are next up on Saturday.
That's all from me for this match, I hope you enjoyed your time here. I'm off to the tennis now, so I'll catch you later. Goodbye.
Written by
Matt Cotton
Matt Cotton
