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The Citizen
a day ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Pollock shines as Lions win big in Australia tour opener
'I thought we started really well and then pretty quickly we were on the back foot through ill discipline and a few inaccuracies." British and Irish Lions player Ollie Chessum (C) runs with the ball during the rugby game against the Western Force at Optus Stadium in Perth on June 28, 2025. (Photo by SAEED KHAN / AFP) / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE — Emerging star Henry Pollock produced an explosive performance as the British and Irish Lions started their Australia tour with an emphatic 54-7 win against Western Force in Perth on Saturday. In their first match in Australia since 2013, the Lions ran in eight tries on a cool night in front of 46,656 fans at Optus Stadium, most of whom were loudly supporting the tourists. But the victory was soured after Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams suffered a hamstring injury just after the interval following his second try. After a shock 28-24 defeat to Argentina in a warm-up in Dublin, the Lions looked far slicker with a revamped line-up led by 20-year-old Englishman Pollock. Having made his debut against the Pumas, Pollock spectacularly set up Williams in the 15th minute with a burst of speed. But there were teething problems for Andy Farrell's team as they opened their nine-game Australian itinerary, highlighted by a three-match series against the Wallabies starting on July 19. The Lions were undisciplined and conceded six penalties in a frenetic first half against a Force team with six internationals in their starting XV. However, the gulf in talent between the teams was evident as the Lions ran riot in a one-sided second half with five tries. 'I thought we started really well and then pretty quickly we were on the back foot through ill discipline and a few inaccuracies,' said Lions skipper Dan Sheehan, who scored the opening try. 'But I think it's an improvement (from Argentina), especially on the scoreline side and how we sort of closed out that game towards the end. 'I thought the bench had a good impact when they came on but there's still plenty of things to work on. I think our discipline was nowhere near good enough.' Early barrage The Lions easily beat the Force 69-17 on their last Australian tour and something similar was expected against a team that finished ninth in the 11-team Super Rugby ladder, the lowest of the four Australian franchises. The Nic White-led Force were without Wallabies Carlo Tizzano, Jeremy Williams and Harry Potter. It only took two minutes for the Lions to hit the scoreboard after a brilliant flick from wing James Lowe found Ireland hooker Sheehan, who celebrated his captaincy debut in style. The Force hit back from the early barrage when White barrelled over through heavy traffic before the home side dominated possession. Wallabies winger Dylan Pietsch proved a handful for a Lions defence under considerable pressure. Pollock reignited his team with a blistering run to slither through a crack in Force's defence before a superb offload to Williams. Both teams started to wilt before the interval amid chaotic play as Finn Russell caught the Force napping and found Elliot Daly. Tensions boiled over following the try with Pollock in the middle of a fracas. But he was soon in the sin bin after receiving a yellow card as the Lions' penalties built up. The Lions put the foot down after half time with Williams flying over the corner having superbly combined with Lowe. But Williams pulled up clutching his left hamstring and limped off the field. The Lions' superior depth and class was on show in an ominous statement as Daly capped a strong effort with his second try. 'I don't think that score reflected certainly the first 50 minutes,' said White. 'We probably left a couple of opportunities out there, but we got stuck right into them and it had a real Test match intensity about it. They're a class side.' The Lions tour continues against Queensland Reds in Brisbane on Wednesday.
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
Lions team v Western Force: Farrell names 23 for first tour match in Australia
Hello and welcome to coverage of the British and Irish Lions team announcement for their clash with Western Force on Saturday. After defeat last Friday to Argentina, the Lions made the long trip to Australia and have spent the week acclimatising to their new surroundings. The tourists will be looking to bounce back to winning ways and build momentum ahead of the first Test on July 19. Speaking this week, Ollie Chessum warned his Lions team-mates they will have a target on their backs throughout their tour. 'For people playing against the Lions, this is potentially a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,' said the England forward, who is on course to make his debut for the tourists this weekend. 'I'm sure that for the Western Force lads and all the teams we face in the future, to be part of a team that beats the Lions would be massive. 'We expect that from everyone we face, but we also expect to put the best of ourselves out there. If I get the opportunity, I'm like everyone in the camp - chomping at the bit to put on the shirt and play for the Lions.' A row over selection has dominated the build-up after the Lions warned Australia they will be in breach of contract if they fail to release their Test stars for all tour games involving Super Rugby teams. Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt was previously only allowing a number of his Western Force players to feature against the tourists in Perth on Saturday, resulting in a warning from Calveley of the hosts' contractual obligations to ensure the Super Rugby franchises field the strongest possible sides. Calveley and Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh met on Wednesday to discuss the situation, leading to Schmidt's decision to release Matt Faessler and Hunter Paisami. 'It's exciting,' Lions assistant coach Andrew Goodman said. 'Hunter is a great player. If you look at the Force players who've been released, I've watched a lot of their rugby this year and they've got an exciting group. 'If you watch a Force team or a Reds team during Super Rugby, it's not an indication of what you're going to get against a Lions team. 'It's a once-in-a-life opportunity for most of those guys, so the level of intensity is going to be through the roof.'
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Finn Russell sets sights on Lions success after long-awaited title triumph with Bath
Clutching a bottle of lager deep in the bowels of Twickenham, the celebrations could at last begin for Finn Russell. For a decade the Scottish fly half had sought a second success to go along with the Pro 12 title won at Glasgow as a 22-year-old to no avail; after playing a starring role to snap Bath's own, longer wait for a title, this was a triumph he intended to enjoy. But only temporarily. On Monday, Russell will fly to Dublin to join up with the British and Irish Lions aiming to quickly shake off any lingering impacts of the final and its aftermath and get up to speed. It is a tight turnaround for Russell, Will Stuart, Ollie Chessum and the large Leinster lot ahead of the touring side's first fixture against Argentina on Friday – while it is likely that most are not involved at the Aviva Stadium there will clearly be a need to hit the ground running. Advertisement 'I have not won much in my career,' Russell admitted, beer in hand, on Saturday night. 'The last time I won a title like this was 10 years ago and I want to enjoy it, that is important as well. If I go back home and just chill then you don't get the chance to appreciate what we have achieved. Bath are champions of England for the first time in nearly three decades (Getty Images) 'Bath haven't won one in 29 years; it is important to celebrate what you have done that season. It is not just one game today, it is the last 48 weeks we have been going to get to where we are now.' Russell's trophy hunt had rather embodied that of his nation, Scotland good but not good enough so often throughout his time wearing the thistle. If little of that was to do with their orchestrator-in-chief there were those – including Johnny Sexton, soon to be his Lions coach – who clearly felt the Scot's style outweighed his substance; the flash fur coat occasionally opened to reveal little underneath. At Bath, though, the 32-year-old appears to have grown into a well-rounded player, aided, of course, by a power-packed pack and, in Ben Spencer, a complementary scrum half and leader. Advertisement The impact of Johann van Graan on his career is clear, too. The Bath boss was just as vital as Bruce Craig's chequebook in luring Russell to the city, and perhaps contrasting characters have found themselves somewhat kindred spirits. 'Johann is amazing at his job, one of the best I have ever worked with in terms of bringing everyone together,' hailed Russell of the South African. 'The first time I met him, I think, was the November before I came. I chatted to Johann as a man. He said 'I know what you do on the pitch, I want to get to know you as a guy' That is what he is, he wants a team full of good men. Finn Russell has thrived at Bath (Getty Images) 'At Racing [92], we had brilliant players and coaches but I was chatting to Johann and the vision of where this club could get to was really exciting for me and that is why I came here. The city we are playing for, they give us that energy as well and Johann has brought it all together in a way I have never felt before. 'For me, as an individual, I came to England and I felt it was a different game here, a little bit more structure. As a player, it was brilliant to come here, and that different style of rugby. You come to big games like [the final], hopefully more to come, but to use that kicking game as a real threat is brilliant for me.' Advertisement That feeling of togetherness was on full display with Russell's gifting of a score to Max Ojomoh, son of club legend Steve and one of the homegrown stars thriving alongside the fly half. 'I could have scored it myself obviously,' Russell chuckled, before revealing a remarkable sense of clarity after a lung-busting surge of 60 metres as he explained why he had given a pass with the line in sight. Finn Russell (right) laid a try on a plate for Bath-born Max Ojomoh (David Davies/PA Wire) 'He is a young player from Bath, who has only ever been at Bath, and I would like to think scoring that in the final is a big thing for him. He said his dad never scored in the final so he has got one over him there – he just needs to get an England cap now.' The significant success of this season should be a perfect springboard for Russell to attack his time with the Lions. His past tours have been tough, in some ways, with the Geography Six saga of 2017 followed by the Covid-wrecked trip to South Africa in 2021 – having spoken previously of his eagerness to embrace the experience fully, the fly half hopes to thrive in Australia. Advertisement 'When you get to the Lions it is another level of intensity, it is the best of the best from Britain and Ireland. I am looking forward to the challenge, everyone is fighting for Test spots but it is not just getting in the Tests it is winning them as well. Finn Russell hopes to make the most of his time with the British and Irish Lions (Getty Images) 'Looking forward to the Lions, there are three Tests at the end of it, and they are effectively knockout games. Having knockout games is really important in terms of finding a way to win. It was tough game [against Leicester] and we weren't at our best but finding a way to win is really important.'
The Independent
15-06-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Finn Russell sets sights on Lions success after long-awaited title triumph with Bath
Clutching a bottle of lager deep in the bowels of Twickenham, the celebrations could at last begin for Finn Russell. For a decade the Scottish fly half had sought a second success to go along with the Pro 12 title won at Glasgow as a 22-year-old to no avail; after playing a starring role to snap Bath's own, longer wait for a title, this was a triumph he intended to enjoy. But only temporarily. On Monday, Russell will fly to Dublin to join up with the British and Irish Lions aiming to quickly shake off any lingering impacts of the final and its aftermath and get up to speed. It is a tight turnaround for Russell, Will Stuart, Ollie Chessum and the large Leinster lot ahead of the touring side's first fixture against Argentina on Friday – while it is likely that most are not involved at the Aviva Stadium there will clearly be a need to hit the ground running. 'I have not won much in my career,' Russell admitted, beer in hand, on Saturday night. 'The last time I won a title like this was 10 years ago and I want to enjoy it, that is important as well. If I go back home and just chill then you don't get the chance to appreciate what we have achieved. 'Bath haven't won one in 29 years; it is important to celebrate what you have done that season. It is not just one game today, it is the last 48 weeks we have been going to get to where we are now.' Russell's trophy hunt had rather embodied that of his nation, Scotland good but not good enough so often throughout his time wearing the thistle. If little of that was to do with their orchestrator-in-chief there were those – including Johnny Sexton, soon to be his Lions coach – who clearly felt the Scot's style outweighed his substance; the flash fur coat occasionally opened to reveal little underneath. At Bath, though, the 32-year-old appears to have grown into a well-rounded player, aided, of course, by a power-packed pack and, in Ben Spencer, a complementary scrum half and leader. The impact of Johann van Graan on his career is clear, too. The Bath boss was just as vital as Bruce Craig's chequebook in luring Russell to the city, and perhaps contrasting characters have found themselves somewhat kindred spirits. 'Johann is amazing at his job, one of the best I have ever worked with in terms of bringing everyone together,' hailed Russell of the South African. 'The first time I met him, I think, was the November before I came. I chatted to Johann as a man. He said 'I know what you do on the pitch, I want to get to know you as a guy' That is what he is, he wants a team full of good men. 'At Racing [92], we had brilliant players and coaches but I was chatting to Johann and the vision of where this club could get to was really exciting for me and that is why I came here. The city we are playing for, they give us that energy as well and Johann has brought it all together in a way I have never felt before. 'For me, as an individual, I came to England and I felt it was a different game here, a little bit more structure. As a player, it was brilliant to come here, and that different style of rugby. You come to big games like [the final], hopefully more to come, but to use that kicking game as a real threat is brilliant for me.' That feeling of togetherness was on full display with Russell's gifting of a score to Max Ojomoh, son of club legend Steve and one of the homegrown stars thriving alongside the fly half. 'I could have scored it myself obviously,' Russell chuckled, before revealing a remarkable sense of clarity after a lung-busting surge of 60 metres as he explained why he had given a pass with the line in sight. 'He is a young player from Bath, who has only ever been at Bath, and I would like to think scoring that in the final is a big thing for him. He said his dad never scored in the final so he has got one over him there – he just needs to get an England cap now.' The significant success of this season should be a perfect springboard for Russell to attack his time with the Lions. His past tours have been tough, in some ways, with the Geography Six saga of 2017 followed by the Covid-wrecked trip to South Africa in 2021 – having spoken previously of his eagerness to embrace the experience fully, the fly half hopes to thrive in Australia. 'When you get to the Lions it is another level of intensity, it is the best of the best from Britain and Ireland. I am looking forward to the challenge, everyone is fighting for Test spots but it is not just getting in the Tests it is winning them as well. 'Looking forward to the Lions, there are three Tests at the end of it, and they are effectively knockout games. Having knockout games is really important in terms of finding a way to win. It was tough game [against Leicester] and we weren't at our best but finding a way to win is really important.'
The Independent
13-06-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Winning mentality will be Michael Cheika's Leicester legacy
Leicester lock Ollie Chessum is in no doubt Michael Cheika's legacy will have a lasting impact on the club, no matter what the result in his final game as head coach against Bath in the Gallagher Premiership final. It is set to be a summer of change at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, with former Leicester player Geoff Parling set to take charge after the Australian departs at the end of his one-year contract. Just a couple of seasons on from their last Premiership final triumph, the Tigers finished eighth in a disappointing 2023-24 campaign. The arrival of Cheika – who took the Wallabies to the 2015 World Cup final and then guided Argentina into the last four two years ago – saw Leicester's fortunes transformed. On the back of a new-found mental resilience, Cheika's men were driven on to second place in the table behind Bath. Chessum, who fought his way back to fitness following a knee injury suffered in an England training camp in October, feels 58-year-old Cheika deserves plenty of plaudits for helping turn the club around. 'We were in a real good spot a few years ago as a group, and we probably lost our way a little bit and that is how you find yourself down in eighth and out of the play-offs,' said Chessum, set to be part of the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia. 'There is no denying that something needed to change in quite a few aspects of our game. 'Cheiks will say we have probably not changed too much technically, but it is just around that mental side and the emotional side of the game is what has really changed everything this year and has put us in this spot.' Chessum, 24, added: 'He just finds a way to galvanise the group, get them to find a real meaning in what they are doing and use that to to drive them on. Our mental approach for the team has changed massively towards games. 'He will say that goes a huge way towards winning, it is just believing you can do it and sort of shocking yourself really with what you are able to do as an individual. 'The way he has changed how the team approaches the game mentally has been a huge part of what he will leave as a legacy.' Cheika has named an unchanged side from the semi-final win over Sale for Saturday's showpiece at the Allianz Stadium, which will see several Leicester players make their last appearance in a Tigers shirt. Club stalwarts Dan Cole and Ben Youngs will retire while captain Julian Montoya, South Africa fly-half Handre Pollard, James Cronin and Matt Rogerson are all set to depart. Leicester lost home and away to Bath during the regular campaign, beaten 43-15 at The Recreation Ground in May. Chessum knows the Tigers will have to step up to the challenge as Bath seek to complete a trophy treble with what would be the Somerset club's first league title since 1996. 'They don't just play this stylish brand of rugby – they have still got this huge pack that can can break you down physically as well, so they are a great team,' Chessum said. 'We will have to front up on all fronts and be at our best to beat them, but that is the beauty of the challenge and of finals rugby.'
