Jamie Osborne scored two tries on his British & Irish Lions debut to help them past a determined First Nations & Pasifika XV in a gripping contest at Marvel Stadium.

Osborne, who was called up mid-way through the Qatar Airways Lions Men's Tour to Australia 2025, scored a try in each half in what is the Lions’ final mid-week match of the summer.

Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe also crossed for tries, while First Nations & Pasifika XV scored three of their own through Triston Reilly, Seru Uru and Rob Leota.

Leota went over with nine minutes remaining to close the gap to 24-19 but, despite ramping up the pressure on the Lions, they were unable to clinch a famous win.

LIONS MAKE FAST START

With this marking the last match for players to force their way into Andy Farrell’s plans for the two remaining Test matches, it is not a surprise the Lions started quickly - and they thought they had scored the first try within three minutes.

Blair Kinghorn, fit and firing again after a sprained knee, stepped up from full-back, shrugged off a tackle and made a brilliant break. He fed Graham to his right, who in turn passed inside to a supporting Van der Merwe to dot down, but the TMO spotted Graham’s right boot had strayed into touch.

Despite the disappointment, the Lions had their tails up and were soon celebrating again. After Reilly was sent to the sin-bin for a poor tackle on Graham, the Lions took advantage, as Owen Farrell chipped behind the First Nations & Pasifika XV backline and Osborne collected it and dotted down.

One try soon became two. The Lions ripped First Nations & Pasifika XV apart, as Fin Smith threw a long, looping pass out to an uncovered Graham, who sprinted clear and slid over in the corner.

However, the Lions’ mood was soon punctured. Graham went down with an ankle injury and, after receiving medical treatment, was unable to continue, with Garry Ringrose was sent on in his place.

Kinghorn then helped First Nations & Pasifika XV back into the game, as his attempted long pass was intercepted by Reilly, who dashed in under the posts. They then levelled the score, as Uru muscled his way over the line from close range.

James Ryan was yellow carded due to a build-up of penalties, as the Lions creaked under the heavy muscle of the First Nations & Pasifika XV set-piece. The Lions survived the 10 minutes Ryan was in the bin, with a couple of strong defensive stands, but another intercept almost led to a third try on the stroke of half-time.

Jack Debreczeni picked off the ball but lacked the speed to go all the way, and his kick for the try-line was first gathered by Van der Merwe.

OSBORNE’S DREAM DEBUT

Kinghorn impressed from full-back and he played a key part in the Lions’ third try, which came just five minutes into the second half.

Kinghorn stunning pass set-up Osborne, who strolled across for his second try of the night.

Jac Morgan and Josh van der Flier then combined to win a breakdown penalty, as the Lions turned the screw, and the tourists soon thought they had a fourth try in a strong start to the second half.

Ben White’s kick ahead was gathered by Ringrose, before Van der Flier forced it over the line. However, Ringrose was caught knocking on and the try was ruled out.

First Nations & Pasifika XV were defending valiantly amid a second-half Lions onslaught, and Van der Flier seemed set to score again minutes later but the ball was dislodged just as he went to dot it down.

Just after the hour mark, with the Lions bench making positive contributions, they did score a fourth. Smith and Farrell combined nicely and the captain threw a dummy and put Van der Merwe over in the corner to create breathing space.

However, First Nations & Pasifika XV hit back. A neat lineout routine set them up five metres from the Lions line, and Leota dived over from close range to score. Kurtley Beale missed the conversion, leaving the Lions with an five-point lead.

Sensing a famous victory, First Nations & Pasifika XV threw all they had at the Lions in the final five minutes but the tourists secured the win when Henry Pollock won a breakdown penalty with just a minute remaining.