The British & Irish Lions have kicked off their Australian tour in style in Perth, overcoming a determined first half performance from the Force to score five second half tries and run out 54-7 winners.
A bumper crowd of 46,656 - the highest attendance in Force history - saw a much improved Lions outfit, recovering well from last week's surprise defeat to Argentina in Dublin.
Final tickets still available! Get your tickets for the British & Irish Lions tour here
The Force certainly had their moments, but key errors and small mistakes built up over the course of the match, with the hosts capitalising.
The Lions will head to Brisbane with their first win of the tour - though it may have come at a cost, with Tamos Williams leaving the field with an apparent hamstring injury.
RECAP ALL THE ACTION BELOW
80' FOR 7 BIL 54 Joe McCarthy has earned player of the match for his performance. The Force lose the ball, and the Lions run away at the death to crack the half century as the full time siren sounds. Mitchell scores, Smith converts. The game is done.
79' FOR 7 BIL 47 Force earn a penalty after a good passage, but botch the lineout. The hosts decide to throw it around, and earn another penalty. They go to the corner as we head into the last minute, looking to finish with a try.
76' FOR 7 BIL 47 The Lions have done a very good job holding onto the ball and applying pressure, starving the hosts of possession and field position. Into the final five minutes of the match. A good break sees Horton in space, but the Lions run him down.
72' FOR 7 BIL 47 After a long eight phase build up with several advantages, Daly goes over untouched for his second. Smith converts.
67' FOR 7 BIL 40 After several scrums, the Lions go on the attack again. However, a Marley Pearce gets them out of gaol - before the visitors go on the attack again, earning a penalty.
63' FOR 7 BIL 40 The Lions attack again, but spill the ball in a prime position. Pietsch departs the field, replaced by Kuenzle. Smith also comes into the fray for the Lions, replacing Russell.
60' FOR 7 BIL 40 Robertson leaves the field for the Force. The Lions kick ahead again but Stewart grounds the ball for a goal line drop out. Crowd number has been confirmed: 46,656 - the highest crowd attendance in the history of the Western Force.
56' FOR 7 BIL 40 Force regather well but a bit of magic from Pollock sees McCarthy score in the corner, extending the lead. Russell converts.
52' FOR 7 BIL 33 The Lions' offload game is paying dividends, with Garry Ringrose breaking through to score. Russell converts.
48' FOR 7 BIL 26 The Lions have activated their bench, with four replacements coming on. Carter also departs for the Force - ending a stellar 15 year career. Pollock is also back from the yellow card.
47' FOR 7 BIL 26 The Force's defensive lineout works wonders again, with the Lions conceding another penalty for obstruction. They lose the ball, and the Lions go quickly! Williams scores an 80m special - but looks to have done his hamstring. He's off. Russell misses.
43' FOR 7 BIL 21 Force looking good in attack but a neck roll penalty against Brandon Paenga-Amosa haults the attack and the Lions clear.
41' FOR 7 BIL 21 Lions knock the ball on in defence as they try and steal the ball, Force scrum 30 metres out. Mac Grealy continues his big day with a nice burst to get them inside the 22.
40' FOR 7 BIL 21 Both sides are back on the field and almost disaster for the Lions as they drop the kick-off, Lions clear their goal-line and the Force attack.
40' FOR 7 BIL 21 The Force get the maul right, but are held up over the line. That's halftime.
40' FOR 7 BIL 21 Pietsch cuts through the Lions again, as the Force move back into the 22, and earn an advantage. Pollock has been shown a yellow card for repeated infringements! Force go to the corner.
39' FOR 7 BIL 21 Force regather of the kick-off and earn an penalty. Donaldson kicks to the corner, lineout successful but Stewart knocks it on. Lions clear as we head into the last minute.
37' FOR 7 BIL 21 Force concede a penalty… and Russell goes quickly! They catch the Force napping and Daly scores! Conversion successful.
35' FOR 7 BIL 14 Lions go on the attack, but Force reclaim and Harris finds himself in space. Lions regather well and kick ahead, but the Force touch it down for a goal line drop out. Some tired bodies out there.
31' FOR 7 BIL 14 Proctor is back to his feet, and play resumes. Scrum to the Force.
31' FOR 7 BIL 14 A kicking battle ensues, with the Force coming out victorious and going on the attack in enemy territory - before a Lions hand knocks it on. Proctor looks to be done, clutching his ribs. We'll have a break in play.
28' FOR 7 BIL 14 The Force go on the attack again, with Pietsch and Donaldson almost linking up to score only for a Lions hand to get in the way. Lions clear. Force attack again but both sides knock it on - leading to another scrum, with the battle so far proving even between the two sides. Lions kick ahead but knock it on, and we have another scrum.
24' FOR 7 BIL 14 Both sides have settled into the game, figuring out each other. Harris is back on the field, passing his HIA.
18' FOR 7 BIL 14 Through some good tactical kicking, the Lions have pushed the Force back to their own line. Force clear, bringing a small break to a frenetic opening 15 minutes. However, some great support play sees Henry Pollock in space, with Tomos Williams benefitting to score! Russell converts.
14' FOR 7 BIL 7 Lions concede a fourth penalty and receive an official warning for repeated infringements. Force go the lineout again, but lose it off a miscommunication. Lions clear. Force attack again but Lions steal back and kick long. Force restart in their own territory.
10' FOR 7 BIL 7 Force do well off the restart, earn a penalty and are on the attack again, with Dylan Pietsch cutting through well. The Lions concede another penalty, and Force have gone to the corner, they want tries. Harris goes off for a HIA, Prinsep on.
6' FOR 7 BIL 7 Force strike back immediately! A great steal off the restart and 14 phases of build up, and Nic White goes over. Donaldson converts.
2' FOR 0 BIL 7 On the board in 90 seconds! Dan Sheehan benefits from some great build up play, and a great start for the hosts. Conversion successful.
0' FOR 0 BIL 0: Ben O'Keefe blows his whistle, and we are underway!
PRE-MATCH:
KO T-MIN 2: The teams are out on the pitch. The waiting is over. Let the British and Irish Lions tour commence!
KO T-MIN 5: Teams have been announced - big cheers for Garry Ringrose and Finn Russell, with Ben Donaldson, Nic White and Ollie Hoskins getting plenty of love from the locals too.
KO T-MIN 10: Lions training is wrapped up, Force close behind. Both teams are heading off the field. Crowd is still streaming in, and give both sides a cheer as they make their exits.
KO T-MIN 30: Teams are out on the field and training. Crowd is building very nicely, with all tiers starting to fill.
KO T-MIN 60: Lions have won the toss: they will be kicking off, running left to right.
KO T-MIN 80: One change confirmed for the Western Force, with Nic Dolly ruled out with a knee injury and Tom Horton coming in to take his place. No changes for the Lions.
KO T-MIN 90: Hi everyone, and welcome to our coverage of the Western Force against the British and Irish Lions, we're excited to have you with us. Conditions are perfect here in Perth for an exciting afternoon of footy - a perfect day to kick off the tour. Fans are streaming in, and the teams have just arrived at the ground.
Western Force 7
Tries: White
Con: Donaldson 1/1
British and Irish Lions 54
Tries: Sheehan, Williams 2, Daly 2, Ringrose, McCarthy, Mitchell
Con: Russell 5/6, Smith 2/2
Cards: Pollock (Yellow)
British and Irish Lions (15-1): Elliot Daly; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Sione Tuipulotu, James Lowe; Finn Russell, Tomos Williams; Henry Pollock, Josh van der Flier, Tadhg Beirne; Joe McCarthy, Scott Cummings; Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan, Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Will Stuart, Ollie Chessum, Jack Conan, Alex Mitchell, Huw Jones, Marcus Smith
Western Force (15-1): Ben Donaldson; Mac Grealy, Matt Proctor, Hamish Stewart, Dylan Pietsch; Alex Harford, Nic White (capt); Vaiolini Ekuasi, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Will Harris; Darcy Swain, Sam Carter; Ollie Hoskins, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Tom Robertson
Replacements: Nic Dolly, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Reed Prinsep, Henry Robertson, Max Burey, Bayley Kuenzle
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams (NZR), James Doleman (NZR)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
FPRO: Glenn Newman (NZR)
