The curtains have closed on the British and Irish Lions tour, and after a series of grueling matches in Australia and a finale in Dublin, it's time to assess the backs who lit up the field under Andy Farrell's command. From the dazzling to the underwhelming, here's how each player stacked up.
Starting with the halfbacks, Jamison Gibson-Park overcame initial rustiness to deliver performances that saw him named Player of the Series by ex-Wallabies coach Eddie Jones. Despite a dip in the final game, his early brilliance was undeniable, earning him an 8/10. Alex Mitchell was Mr. Reliable, appearing in all 10 matches, and his consistent contributions across the board merited a solid 7/10. Finn Russell was a tactical maestro in the first two Tests but found the final conditions challenging, finishing with a commendable 8/10.
In the centres, age seemed to catch up with Bundee Aki, whose performances dipped as the tour progressed, resulting in a score of 3/10. Contrastingly, Huw Jones excelled, securing a 7/10 with dynamic displays that solidified his starting spot. Garry Ringrose and Sione Tuipulotu both also scored 7/10, with Tuipulotu’s absence in the last two Tests notably impacting the team's attacking rhythm.
"Emphatically silenced the nepotism claims,"
was how Eddie Jones described Owen Farrell's contribution post his pivotal performances later in the tour, which earned him an 8/10. Jamie Osborne, a late addition, showed potential despite limited opportunities, scoring a 6/10.
The outside backs had mixed fortunes. Elliot Daly and Hugo Keenan both showed moments of brilliance but were hampered by injuries and illness respectively, each scoring a 7/10. James Lowe, despite moments of magic, was inconsistent, leading to a score of 5/10. Meanwhile, Duhan van der Merwe dazzled in attack but his defensive lapses cost him, leaving him with a 6/10.
This tour has not only tested but also revealed the depth and resilience of the Lions' squad. With the 2029 series against the All Blacks on the horizon, Andy Farrell and his coaching team have much to ponder.
2,199 posts
The curtains have closed on the British and Irish Lions tour, and after a series of grueling matches in Australia and a finale in Dublin, it's time to assess the backs who lit up the field under Andy Farrell's command. From the dazzling to the underwhelming, here's how each player stacked up.
Starting with the halfbacks, Jamison Gibson-Park overcame initial rustiness to deliver performances that saw him named Player of the Series by ex-Wallabies coach Eddie Jones. Despite a dip in the final game, his early brilliance was undeniable, earning him an 8/10. Alex Mitchell was Mr. Reliable, appearing in all 10 matches, and his consistent contributions across the board merited a solid 7/10. Finn Russell was a tactical maestro in the first two Tests but found the final conditions challenging, finishing with a commendable 8/10.
In the centres, age seemed to catch up with Bundee Aki, whose performances dipped as the tour progressed, resulting in a score of 3/10. Contrastingly, Huw Jones excelled, securing a 7/10 with dynamic displays that solidified his starting spot. Garry Ringrose and Sione Tuipulotu both also scored 7/10, with Tuipulotu’s absence in the last two Tests notably impacting the team's attacking rhythm.
"Emphatically silenced the nepotism claims,"
was how Eddie Jones described Owen Farrell's contribution post his pivotal performances later in the tour, which earned him an 8/10. Jamie Osborne, a late addition, showed potential despite limited opportunities, scoring a 6/10.The outside backs had mixed fortunes. Elliot Daly and Hugo Keenan both showed moments of brilliance but were hampered by injuries and illness respectively, each scoring a 7/10. James Lowe, despite moments of magic, was inconsistent, leading to a score of 5/10. Meanwhile, Duhan van der Merwe dazzled in attack but his defensive lapses cost him, leaving him with a 6/10.
This tour has not only tested but also revealed the depth and resilience of the Lions' squad. With the 2029 series against the All Blacks on the horizon, Andy Farrell and his coaching team have much to ponder.