Lions 21; Waratahs 10
Some of the Irish who part of the Lions’ unconvincing 21-10 win against New South Wales Waratahs side on Saturday will have some ground to make up if they are to gain a place for the first Test against Australia on Saturday, July 19.
The arrival in the second half of a number of stalwarts improved matters but not to the point where the Lions were ever comfortable with the margin between themselves and the Waratahs.
It took an Alex Mitchell’s 55th-minute try to put two scores between the sides on a day when pre-selection disruptions also seemed to affect the play on the pitch.
Henry Pollock eleventh hour withdrawal meant skipper for the day Tadgh Beirne switched to blindside forward with Scott Cummings coming into the second row.
Beirne improved the scrum and the lineout was good but he was poor with his handling - as indeed were most of the team.
Although he has the confidence of his Head Coach Andy Farrell, he may now be looking for a spot in the 23 rather than a starting position alongside Tour captain Maro Itoje in the engine room.
It was also a day when Hugo Keenan made his return after injury for Ireland and a late withdrawal against the Reds in midweek due to illness.
He looked rusty and it now looks as if the first test will come too early for him. Mack Hansen didn’t fit well into the three quarters line where Scotland centres Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones, with two tries to his personal account, did their claims for inclusion no harm.
Tadhg Furlong's second-half introduction improved the scrum significantly and another 50 minutes in his legs to prove his fitness will guarantee him a starting place.
Finlay Bealham impressed again in the tight and loose and could be part of the first test plans. James Ryan got his first taste of action but as of now seems to be well down the pecking order for Saturday action and needs a big midweek performance to remind those selecting what he is capable of.
Owen Farrell, son of the Head Coach, is now in camp and will be pushed by none other than former Ireland and Lions outhalf Johnny Sexton to be part of the 23. He is a warrior and has great leadership qualities - something that might be needed against Australia and the way they play.
Joe McCarthy and Dan Sheehan also came on with Furlong after 50 minutes and did well enough. Sheehan is a cert and McCarthy won’t be far off nailing a second row spot, particularly if Beirne has another indifferent game.
Lions: Hugo Keenan; Mack Hansen, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Blair Kinghorn; Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell; Pierre Schoeman, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Finlay Bealham; Scott Cummings, James Ryan; Tadgh Beirne (capt), Josh van der Flier, Ben Earl Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Ellis Genge, Tadgh Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Duhan van der Merwe, Jac Morgan, Ben White, Marcus Smith.
Ireland 34; Georgia 5
Interim Ireland Head Coach Paul O'Connell was happy with his side’s 34-5 win over Georgia in a wet and sodden Tbilisi on Saturday evening.
Two early tries in the first half from debutant Tommy O’Brien and second-half strikes from skipper Craig Casey and Nick Timoney, plus an unerring boot from Sam Prendergast meant Ireland had a more comfortable night than was expected against a very tough and physical Georgia challenge, particularly up front.
“This was a very important game,” stated O’Connell. “A lot of players away with the Lions and we’ve got a load of guys who are just dying for an opportunity. And you wonder how they will take that opportunity, particularly as some of them hadn’t played games in a little while, so I’m very happy with how they went about their business.
“They had a load of intent with what they did and they were really accurate with that intent,” he opined.
Casey summed up the evening thus: “A bit wetter than we expected during the week. We had to adapt our game a bit and I thought we managed the game really well. Our forwards were top-class, so we have to owe it to them. The feeling in the group is awesome, it’s a great start to the summer tour. There are a few lads making their first caps and we wanted to make it special for them and their families. Thankfully we did that,” he claimed.
Ireland play a second test this weekend against Portugal.
