The countdown to the first Test is on and The British & Irish Lions continued to show glimpses of their vast potential in beating ACT Brumbies.
The tourists scored five tries through Ollie Chessum, James Lowe, Marcus Smith, Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier as they powered to a 36-24 win.
Head Coach Andy Farrell and captain Maro Itoje both emphasised the need for continued improvement, with Itoje highlighting a lack of ruthlessness.
Ten days from the first meeting with Australia, there were plenty of talking points.
SMITH MAKES A MARK
Blair Kinghorn was given the chance to start at full-back for the first time on this Tour but a first-half injury curtailed his evening and forced Andy Farrell to call for Marcus Smith.
READ MORE: Five-try Lions battle past ACT Brumbies
Smith started The 1888 Cup game against Argentina but not since and his performance was one of a player determined to take his chance.
Smith was targeted in the air by the Brumbies but held his own, while, with the ball, he made a significant impact by scoring one try and helping to make another.
With question marks surrounding depth at both fly-half and full-back ahead of the Test series, Smith could well be in contention for a Test place and he threatened almost every time he was involved here in a timely reminder of his talent.
RINGROSE TAKES HIS CHANCE
The battle for the No.13 jersey is one of the most interesting and Garry Ringrose followed Huw Jones in making a statement performance.
The Leinster and Ireland ace took his Tour tally to three tries by finishing off an excellent move that also featured a Smith grubber kick.
Ringrose was sound in defence and showed plenty of nice touches in attack, bringing plenty of teammates into the game and putting them in space.
His long-standing relationship with Bundee Aki was also key in the Lions win, with the pair dovetailing nicely.
CHESSUM & CONAN TAKE STEP FORWARDS
The make-up of the back row continues to fascinate and both Ollie Chessum and Jack Conan took big steps forwards here.
Chessum played at blindside flanker and was a menace all night, using his ballast to hit the gainline hard. He popped up with a try in the corner and so nearly added another late on, but was held up.
By that point, he had been shifted to the second row and that versatility is key.
Meanwhile, Conan continues to work tirelessly and effectively. He was more than useful in the lineout and carried hard all night.
MAUL IS ROLLING
After some early-Tour teething issues, the Lions lineout is going places – and usually driving the opposition back in the process.
Hooker Dan Sheehan hit 11 out of 11 in an excellent display, while Maro Itoje caught almost all that came his way – including a brilliant steal from the Brumbies.
Add in Josh van der Flier’s near-try and a couple of other close shaves, and the Lions lineout is starting to become a real weapon.
KINGHORN INJURY CONCERN
The one snag to the evening was the sight of Blair Kinghorn being replaced midway through the first half.
The full-back was given a first start in the No.15 jersey and looked handy in the early going but a knee injury eight minutes in slowed him up.
After losing Tomos Williams and Elliot Daly to injury on Tour, Andy Farrell will keeping his fingers crossed for positive news this week.
