Staking their claim.

The Lions got their tour back on track this morning with a hugely important win over the Crusaders. Heading into the game they were branded underdogs, with some critics already starting to write them off.

Gatland’s men still have a lot to work on, especially their inability to convert chances, but can come away from the game hugely spurred on by an immaculate defensive performance.

Conor Murray and Owen Farrell stole the show in their first starts, but it was two Irishmen in the back-row, also making their first starts of the tour, that impressed head coach Warren Gatland.

“I thought Sean was outstanding – even from an experience and leadership point of view,” Gatland said post-match.

“His voice in the changing rooms and directing players and chat. He probably lasted a bit longer than we thought he would, and we needed to make some changes.

“Peter O’Mahony went across to the openside and we had spoken to him about that, potentially being able to cover that. He was able to do that.

“I thought Peter, he stole the lineout at the front and we put their lineout under some pressure, I think they lost the first three lineouts.”

Both players will no doubt be chomping at the bit to get back out there in red. Can they work their way into Gatland’s Test plans? We certainly wouldn’t bet against it.