Archive August 3, 2025

From the mouths of the British and Irish Lions we have heard plenty about how much they have loved this tour, how they revelled in each other’s company, and how they have learned from Andy Farrell’s coaching.

The overall narrative is that their lives were spent. One double Grand Slam winner said the series triumph trumps everything he has achieved in his career. The class of ’25’s bonds were close.

It is difficult to know what to make of these Lions though.

In the first Test, Joe Schmidt, who otherwise excels, was held responsible for the underperformance of the Wallabies.

They had to do without the great Will Skelton for the first and for much of the second Test, while their best player, Rob Valetini, was fit for just 40 minutes of the whole series.

However, the Wallabies won in Melbourne before outlasting the Lions in Sydney. The Lions won the series 2-1, but did not take it 3-0 – which was their oft-stated goal.

The Wallabies won four of the rugby matches that had been played in six halves. This was a good Lions team with a sprinkling of great players, but nowhere near a great team.

How did the players who participated in more than one game compare to one another in terms of individual performance?

Incredible Tadhg Beirne. Wasn’t at his best when he arrived on tour but he became an utter machine as time went on, power, carries, tackle count, minutes played. A fantastic tour and the Lions’ Player: A Guidebook. 9.5

Ollie Chessum: Joe McCarthy’s injury prevented him from making his way to the Melbourne Test team, but he was dropped from the bench for the third Test. Only 24, he’ll be back in 2029.7

One of 11 players who started all three Tests, Jack Conan. Conan was brutally harsh on his own performance in the second Test in Melbourne, but he was robust all tour, a powerful man. Good, but not quite at full throttle. 7.5%

Luke Cowan-Dickie: Played well in both of his Australian starts, but his game-time ended in a horrifying headbutt in the AUNZ Invitational. Would have put heat on Ronan Kelleher for a Test bench spot. 6. 6.5

Scott Cummings: Got off to a nightmarish start when failing to deal with restarts against the Western Force. He was fantastic after that. Bounced back with a fine performance against the Waratahs and was strong again versus First Nations and Pasifika. 6. 6.5

Tom Curry: Looks permanently exhausted, but what a sensational player. every single time emptys the tank. Demonic physical presence. Set the tone with a thumping hit on James Slipper in the opening Test, which remained constant. 9 .

Ben Earl: Always smiling with his face fixed on his face when he traveled through Australia. Clearly loved every second of life as a Lion. and succeeded. A bench spot in two of the three Tests. Although he may have had a bad luck in Melbourne, his work ethic was excellent throughout. 7.5%

Has now started nine Lions Tests in a row, which is freaky considering the modern era. Had not played much rugby coming on to the tour but got better and better. He fought through the third Test, which was a challenging night. A Lions great. 8. 5

Ellis Genge: An excellent tour for the loosehead prop. In most of his games, he was a big ball carrier and very strong in the scrum. Started the first Test and was powerful. In those crucial late-to-the-game moments, Came off the bench for the second Test and assisted in the Lions’ advance. 8 .

Joe McCarthy: Established himself as Itoje’s second-row partner with some big games, especially against the Western Force on match one in Australia. He ejected from the blocks. Was an effective enforcer in the first Test but injury claimed him thereafter. He at least had a taste of it. At 24, this won’t be his last rodeo. 7.5%

Jac Morgan: Fans of all four nations adopted Morgan as the lone Welshman after Tomos Williams went home. One of the most contentious moments in Lions history was The Clearout, and he was at the center. Was terrific against the Reds and First Nations and Pasifika, and totally deserved his two Test caps. A competent player 7.

Henry Pollock: Arrived with a fanfare and with some predicting a Test spot. He is a very talented player who performed well, but he is currently far beyond his capabilities when it comes to playing test rugby. Only a kid and will come again – bigger, stronger and wiser for this experience. 6. 6.5

Andrew Porter: Wasn’t fully comfortable out there and struggled in the scrum against the mighty Taniela Tupou in the third Test. A fantastic prop, but lacking in all of his abilities. 7 .

James Ryan: Was the forgotten man until he performed incredibly well against First Nations and Pasifika, and then made a huge comeback in the second Test. He blasted his way through those closing minutes. His third Test participation came to an end in the most awful way due to a sickening blow to his head. 7 .

Pierre Schoeman: Always going to be third in line for loosehead, but he always had a good time and was charismatic in everything he did. International prop and budding poet, if you have watched the Lions ‘ behind-the-scenes films. You could tell that he cherished every second on the road. 6. 6.5

The world’s best hooker, Dan Sheehan, is unquestionably the best. Scored tries in the first and second Test, scrummaged well, carried with the pace and dexterity of a top class centre but with the power of a beast. Tom Lynagh’s head in Sydney had a black mark on its shoulder. Lucky to avoid a red card. 8. 5

Will Stuart: Scored the final try of the tour – a consolation, but still a nice moment. Stuart took a slow start, but he picked up speed as the second Test progressed. 7 .

Elliot Daly: What might have been. was on a storming tour and appeared to be a guarantee of a Test match when he was cut down in his prime in his first game against the Queensland Reds, his 11th consecutive Lions gameday 23 game. Cruel. 6. 6.5

Owen Farrell: The tour was sleepy hollow until the news came through that Faz Jnr had been called up by Faz Snr. Cue people talking about rights and wrongs in a loud voice. Pretty non-descript on the field even though he came on in two Tests. Before taking the lead in the encounters with First Nations and Pasifika, his excellent press conference was the best. A fascinating and rare insight into the now four-time Lion. 6 .

Tommy Freeman: Brilliant against the Reds early on. Against the Brumbies, was fine. Had a poor first Test. was excellent in the third. The third was a constant battle. 6. 6.5

Jamison Gibson-Park: Passing was so slick in the lead-up to the series-winning try in Melbourne. A world-class athlete who struggled during the Sydney monsoon. 7.5%

Andy Farrell adored Mack Hansen, and he undoubtedly had a dream to play rugby in the Test until injury ruined his success. 6 .

Hugo Keenan: A shocker against the Waratahs after being ill early in the season. Blair Kinghorn looked a very hot favourite for the full-back jersey at that point. However, Keenan showed some resilience in his subsequent game against AUNZ, winning the test with a try, and doing so was excellent. He was one of the Lions ‘ best players in defeat in the third. 8 .

James Lowe: By his lofty standards, a poor tour. Lowe couldn’t find his confidence after setting up Beirne for a significant score in the second Test. 5.5

Alex Mitchell: Playing in every game, he seemed to set a new record, but he just fell short. Was on the bench eight times in Australia. Gibson-Park was a strong understudy, overcoming Ben White’s challenge for Test status. 6. 6.5

Garry Ringrose: The most unfortunate tour in human history, and probably any other. Would almost certainly have started all three Tests because he was flying. He was cursed by a concussion. His mark would have been a whole lot higher otherwise. 6. 6.5

Finn Russell: Was in ‘ player of the series ‘ territory before Sydney, which was a savagely hard day for a fly-half. He was a joy, overall. Wasn’t at his best in the second Test but when it came to those game-winning moments at the end, he was immense. 8. 5

Fin Smith: Never really got going after the loss to Argentina in Dublin. began with First Nations & Pasifika, AUNZ Invitational, and the Waratahs. He’s young though, and will have learned a lot. 6 .

Marcus Smith: Played a lot of rugby on tour in a number of different positions, but nearly all of it was off the bench. played the utility back role that came into play when Daly left town and participated in the first and second Tests. 6. 6.5

What might have happened is Sione Tuipulotu. Scored the opening try of the first Test after a sumptuous pass from Russell, but was dropped for the second (and then subsequently picked up a tight hamstring). Farrell called Bundee Aki after that initial call, and it was incredibly dubious. Farrell said Tuipulotu was 85% fit ahead of the final Test, so he missed out. In due course, it will be interesting to learn the Scotland Center’s opinion on that. 7 .

Duhan van der Merwe: Never quite captured a Test spot, but finished as the top Lions try-scorer. A freakishly talented finisher, but there are just too many flaws in the rest of his game. 6. 6.5

Ben White: Came in for the injured Williams and looked sharp to the point that he cannot have been a million miles away from winning a Test bench spot. 6. 6.5

You have your gold medal adorned your neck as you stand on the Olympic podium.

It’s something you have dreamed of your entire life, hours upon hours of hard work and sacrifice having led to the moment.

What happens when the world’s cameras and attention start to gradually turn away from that moment? There are initial euphoria and celebration.

Hannah Scott tasted gold in Paris when she won the women’s quadruple sculls for Team GB with Lauren Henry, Georgina Brayshaw and Lola Anderson in a dramatic final.

The “huge highlight of my life,” according to Scott, who is also a world and european champion.

“Since I’ve been 12 I’ve always had something in my head about winning an Olympic gold. You never know whether you will get one or not because I was embarrassed, so I wouldn’t even talk about it.

” It’s not something I was certain about, it was just a dream.

Scott had to make a significant decision about her future despite only being 25 at the time.

It wasn’t as simple as taking a break, then jumping in the boat and going again.

Many athletes talk about the struggle they had before reaching the Olympic gold medal goal, because they spent so long trying to achieve it.

” You are kind of like, ‘ what do I do now? ‘ and you must ponder your intentions if you want to return.

The Northern Ireland rower said it” wasn’t an easy decision “and she even tried some work experience to get a taste of the office life.

You must move on and find the next step in order to maintain your own sanity. I’m happy and content with that and I’m happy being back rowing.

“But I had to allow myself some time. I didn’t get back into a boat until around Christmas time and that’s when I found my stride again.

I didn’t know what I was going to do at the time, but I soon realized I missed rowing and the office.

After deciding to return, Scott had a virus that ruled her out of the start of the year but she is set to return to competitive action for the World Championships in September, where she should be reunited with her Olympic team-mates in the women’s quad.

It’s just one of the many “ups and downs” of being an athlete, in Scott’s opinion.

“I don’t think I’m finished yet. She continued, “I want to see what else I can do.”

“It might be great, it might not. However, I’m willing to try because participating in high-performance sports is an addictive experience.

Scott added the response from Northern Ireland was “beyond” what she thought it would be and she is now motivated to “do them proud” after their support.

However, Scott makes fun of one negative aspect of her success: her fame.

“In ways, it was beyond what I imagined, and in other ways it is still another rowing race. These things will never change.

” I didn’t realise how many people cared about rowing. I was unable to enter the store while wearing my dressing gown, which I may have previously done.

“Now, it’s like ‘ that’s the girl who went to the Olympics and won the medal’. That was not what I anticipated.

After a stunning routine, Rhys McClenaghan won the gold medal in the pommel horse final, which was his final gymnastics performance.

He is now, Olympic, world, European and Commonwealth champion.

McClenaghan has been sidelined from recent shoulder surgery and has not competed since winning his Olympic gold exactly a year ago, on August 3, 2024.

” It’s quite ironic how one year ago I was winning Olympic gold and recently I was waking up in a hospital bed, “the 24-year-old said.

It’s been a crazy year, they say. It’s been a year of figuring things out, mentally. I’ve actually accomplished a lifelong dream and childhood dream that has given me so much energy.

“In that one little moment it was done. My brain is still rejigging a lot.

McClenaghan said winning Olympic gold “met every ounce of expectation” and “all the blood, sweat and tears were worth it for that little moment and that sensation”.

The standout feeling for me when I was growing up was that if there was no one watching or watching in the stands, and it was me in an empty room wearing a medal, it would have still meant just as much,” he said.

“For me, that shows I had done the whole journey for the right reason.

“But then I opened my eyes, looked around, and thought about the young gymnasts who were watching, and I realized it was much bigger than just me.

Despite winning everything there is to offer in the sport, McClenaghan says he is motivated by “wanting to be the best”.

He stated, “I want to win a gold medal at every competition I enter.”

“But the main motivation for heading into training every day is that I get to do gymnastics. Over the past a year or so, I’ve come to realize that.

” Even though my goal was Olympic gold, the main thing that brought me to the gym every day was enjoying my sport. “

In a twist on gymnastics, McClenaghan took home the Irish version of Strictly Come Dancing in a contest.

It was a different experience from the pommel horse, but one he says was” pretty cool”.

He said, “I’m not a retired dancer, but it was the perfect combination of doing something different and challenging myself, and also sharing those similarities with sport.”

Since winning gold, he has travelled around Ireland and visited various gymnastics clubs to speak to the stars of the future.

“I was aware of how significant winning an Olympic gold medal was to me growing up,” McClenaghan said.

Daniel Wiffen made history in Paris when he became the first athlete from Northern Ireland to win a gold medal in 36 years when he won 800m freestyle gold in the pool.

With Jack McMillan, Scott, and McClenaghan all taking home gold, it launched a historic run of four gold medals at the Games.

Athletes from Northern Ireland can represent either Team GB or Team Ireland, and the Paris Games brought two gold medals for each.

Being Olympic champion was actually better than I anticipated, according to Wiffen, who also won gold in the 800 and 1500 meters at the World Championships prior to the Games.

” I didn’t really think anyone would care that much when I won Olympic gold. Although I am aware that Tokyo was the Covid Olympics, I don’t think it was covered as much.

“But Paris was insane. After the race, I could not take a step without being stopped by people on the Champs-Elysees.

” Even people recognising the Olympics 12 months on, it’s great to see the sport moving forward and it will stay prominent every year going towards LA, and people will be looking out for athletes at the World Championships or other competitions. “

The 24-year-old took time out of the pool after the Games to travel around Asia, but attentions soon turned to defending his two world titles.

Before the Singaporean Championships, he said, “I’m quite a confident person, so as soon as I came back from Paris I had already written down my goals for the following season.

” It was what I needed to do to win gold at the next World Championships, and what I needed to change. “

After helping Team GB win the 4x200m gold in Paris, Jack McMillan reconnected with the pool in January after a “setup” and took two months off.

The 25-year-old said Olympic glory” definitely lives up to the expectation “but” it’s still something I’m trying to figure out”.

It’s a strange feeling when you reach that Everest, he continued, “when you’ve accomplished something you’ve been training for so long.”

” Part of you is really satisfied but there’s always something that you could still do more or you start to think about other things afterwards.

“I believe that’s the competitive side of things, and why we reach these particular levels. We are always striving for other goals and bettering ourselves.

Despite being Olympic champion, McMillan said the” most pressurised situation “is at the national trials, where you only get” one chance “to swim at international events later that year.

It’s not like what you did last year gave you a smoother ride. You start back to where you were and you almost have to prove yourself again.

Because there’s almost a fear of not knowing how you’ll perform while taking a break, that gives you more confidence.

McMillan won World Championships gold for Great Britain in Singapore on Friday and, speaking before the competition, had said he had been “thinking of other ways to get better” after his Olympic gold.

There is nothing better than that in the sport, according to the coach.

” It makes you reassess and think about what other areas I can get better, rather than thinking ‘ that’s it done’.

“I want to go for specific times for myself, and winning medals at Worlds and Commonwealths will help.”

Brazil won the Copa America Femenina title with a penalty shootout victory over Colombia, and Marta scored two late goals.

Colombia took the lead three times in a pulsating final in Quito, Ecuador, only to be able to reclaim the lead once more by beating Brazil.

Colombia opened the scoring with a low, close-range finish from Real Madrid’s forward Linda Caicedo before Angelina equalized from the penalty spot in stoppage time.

When Amanda Gutierres controlled a cross with her chest and volleyed into the bottom corner, Brazil defender Tarciane scored a bizarre own goal after her attempted back pass fell just short of goalkeeper Lorena.

Mayra Ramirez’ late goal at Chelsea gave her hope of a late winner, but late substitute Marta fired a superb equalizer from long range in the sixth minute of injury time.

After Brazil won silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the 39-year-old retired from international football, but Arthur Elias’ squad was called up for pre-tournament friendlies in May.

Midway through extra time, Marta, the six-time Fifa Player of the Year, leaped into the top corner with a teasing cross before Colombia midfielder Leicy Santos curled a free kick into the top corner to force penalties.

Both teams had the lead early on, but Marta had a chance to win it but Katherine Tapia saved her effort.

Lorena, the Brazil goalkeeper, saved from Jorelyn Carabali to win the shootout, which ended abruptly.

“I believe women’s soccer has increased significantly. It seems to be more competitive, in my opinion. A match like this was the only one in this place. Congratulations to Colombia as well, according to Brazilian journalist Amanda Gutierres.