Your Player Ratings As The 2021 British & Irish Lions Begin With A Win Over Japan In Murrayfield

Job done.

The British and Irish Lions got off to an excellent start earlier today with an impressive 28-10 win over Japan at BT Murrayfield.

It was the first time the touring side played a home fixture since 2005 and proved to be an excellent run out before they fly over to South Africa ahead of Saturday’s tour opener against the Emirates Lions.

Duhan van der Merwe, Josh Adams, and Tadhg Beirne all scored tries on their Lions debut with Robbie Henshaw also bagging himself a score in the first half.

Here are your player ratings from an eventful day in Edinburgh.

Liam Williams – 7

Reasonably quiet game by his standards but didn’t put a foot wrong.

Josh Adams – 7

A try on debut for the Welshman. Finished it incredibly well. The man was built to score tries.

Robbie Henshaw – 8

16 tackles and heavily involved throughout. The man can do no wrong at the moment.

Bundee Aki – 8

Bagged himself three turnovers and made an excellent line break to set up a try. Already pushing for a Test spot alongside Henshaw. A formidable combination.

Duhan van der Merwe – 8

An absolute monster. Probably shows the outside a bit too much in defence – something you cannot do against someone like Cheslin Kolbe come the Test series. Scored an excellent try.

Dan Biggar – 9

Ran the show and immaculate from the boot. The deserved man of the match. The number ten jersey is his to lose at this stage.

Conor Murray – 7

Three try-assists and linked up well with Biggar. Typical general-like performance from the Irishman.

Rory Sutherland – 7

Tidy performance. Looked strong in the scrum and didn’t put a foot wrong.

Ken Owens – 8

15 from 15 in the lineout. Could you ask for any more from your hooker?

Tadhg Furlong – 8

The man-mountain. Didn’t miss a tackle, scrummaged well and carried like a train. Just another day at the office for Tadhg Furlong.

Iain Henderson – 8

Took over as pack leader when Jones went off. Solid performance all round.

Alun Wyn Jones – N/A

Injured after seven minutes with a dislocated shoulder and will now miss the tour to South Africa. Heartbreaking stuff for the captain.

Tadhg Beirne – 8

How good was that try?

Justin Tipuric – N/A

Another man forced off early with a shoulder problem.

Jack Conan – 8

Made some big turnovers and looked lively. Don’t bet against this man starting against the Boks.

Replacements:

Courtney Lawes (on for Jones ‘8) – 6
Toby Faletau (on for Tipuric ’29) – 6
Kyle Sinckler (on for Furlong ’50) – 6
Wyn Jones (on for Sutherland ’50) – 7
Jamie George (on for Owens ’55) – 6
Owen Farrell (on for Aki ’55) – 6
Ali Price (on for Murray ’63) – 6
Anthony Watson (on or Williams ’65) – 6

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