British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell branded his facet’s efficiency in defeat to Argentina “not acceptable” in a scathing evaluation to Sky Sports activities.
The Lions started their 2025 tour with a 28-24 defeat to the Pumas in Dublin on Friday, as Felipe Contepomi’s facet made historical past in beating the vacationers for the primary time.
The Lions got here from 11 factors down to steer within the second half, however Argentina refused to lie down and got here out on high in a contest wherein they scored three sensational tries.
A lot of Lions knock-ons, errors and ill-advised offloads incensed Farrell, who issued a scathing evaluation of his facet’s first outing forward of their Australia tour.
“It wasn’t exactly a show from us, it was a show from Argentina. First and foremost, congratulations to them, they thoroughly deserve their win,” Farrell stated.
“They capitalised on all of the errors we made. However so far as we’re involved, there’s a lot to do. You can’t win any Check match with that error price.
“We misplaced sufficient ball there for a full tour, not to mention a match in opposition to an excellent facet like Argentina. We threw passes that have been by no means on.
“It wasn’t just that, it was the aerial battle and the scraps on the floor. They were hungrier than us, that is just not acceptable. The lineout and breakdown work was off a bit at times.
“I am disenchanted. We have to be sincere with ourselves, take the educational and enhance, then not less than it would stand for one thing.”
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Sky Sports activities’ Eleanor Roper and former Lions captain Sam Warburton dissect the speaking factors from the British and Irish Lions’ opening tour match in opposition to Argentina
Requested whether or not he felt any of the brand new Lions mixtures labored effectively within the contest, Farrell stated he would not be drawn on names and reduce a annoyed determine with the defeat.
“There was good and bad throughout, I wouldn’t single out individuals or combinations,” he stated.
“We were just a bit tentative and obviously I take responsibility for that. When we came out with a bit of fight at the start of the second half it was more like it, but we just suppressed ourselves with the error count that carried on late into the second half.
“You do not win Check matches when issues like that occur.
“Where we’re at will certainly concentrate the minds. We’ll be honest with ourselves, we get on the plane to Australia [on Saturday].”
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British and Irish Lions captain Maro Itoje stated his facet confirmed glimpses of what they may give however simply lacked consistency in opposition to Argentina
What’s subsequent: British & Irish Lions tour of Australia on Sky Sports activities
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Watch the British and Irish Lions’ tour of Australia solely reside on Sky Sports activities this summer time
Sky Sports activities will solely present the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, with all three Exams in opposition to the Wallabies and 6 warm-up matches to be proven solely reside.
