Andy Farrell: Lions must improve despite big win over Reds
Andy Farrell says Lions must improve despite 52-12 win over Reds in Brisbane.
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British & Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell has admitted that his side needs to improve significantly despite their dominant 52–12 win over the Queensland Reds in Brisbane.
While the final scoreline flattered the tourists, Farrell made it clear that the early stages of the match revealed underlying issues that cannot be ignored ahead of tougher tests.
Farrell was critical of the Lions' sluggish opening, stating that the team looked caught off guard by the Reds’ physical intensity and aggression in the first quarter.
“When we were on, I thought we played some really good stuff. I thought we got over a bit of a slow start,” he said, pointing out how the side needed time to adjust to the pressure applied by the opposition.
Despite the slow start, the Lions found their rhythm and impressed with some flowing rugby, effective breakdown work, and solid defensive effort.
“We were defending pretty well at times in the collision, which was pretty good,” Farrell added.
He credited the squad's depth and resilience, especially as the match wore on and replacements made meaningful contributions.
The game also saw another blow to the Lions' backline stability, with Elliot Daly leaving the field with a wrist injury, just days after Tomos Williams was ruled out of the tour.
With Hugo Keenan and Blair Kinghorn yet to feature, Farrell hinted that opportunities will arise for others to stake their claim.
Looking ahead, Farrell emphasized the challenging nature of the schedule.
“Here we go now… Games are coming thick and fast. Not much training out there on the field, but plenty of mental preparation,” he remarked. The Lions face the Waratahs next, with a focus on ensuring sharper starts and more polished execution.
