British & Irish Lions v Barbarians: Man for man marking

Hugh Godwin
Saturday 01 June 2013 22:47 BST
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15. Stuart Hogg 7/10

Went clumping straight into Casey Laulala early but recovered to run bold lines with good anticipation. Almost away with a pass by Richie Gray, almost away with a pass by Paul O'Connell. Second rows, eh, what can you do?

14. Alex Cuthbert 8/10

The Six Nations championship's top try scorer was at it again, twice in the second half – reward for Cuthbert constantly looking for work. Typical of him was a bit of business in the build-up to a Mike Phillips try.

13. Jonathan Davies 9/10

Life in the shadow of Brian O'Driscoll would be daunting if the Welshman wasn't playing so well. We know his talent: a kicking option with his left foot, a scrambling try and deft touches galore.

12. Jamie Roberts 8/10

A brilliant catch of an Owen Farrell garry-owen and plenty of legwork – literally, with a crucial knee in Davies's try.

11. Sean Maitland 7/10

Sharp eyes and mind to almost run in a try from Davies's chip. The Kiwi Scot was outshone by Cuthbert in try-scoring, and will need a momentous second game.

10. Owen Farrell 5/10

Oh blimey, Owen. Charged-down punts, a silly spat with Brits, passes and chips into trouble, then mucked up a potentially great try. Below par, verging on subterranean.

9. Mike Phillips 8/10

Just short with his first gliding break, the Bayonne-based Welshman made no mistake next time around, and then sniped excellently for a second, giving club-mate Joe Rokocoko a cheeky wave on the way. Immense.

1. Mako Vunipola 7/10

Carried the ball often and increasingly effectively. Referee, Steve Walsh, questioned his scrummaging. "Oi! No.1," said Walsh. "Put your head outside. You're a loosehead." Makings of a good tourist, on and off field.

2. Richard Hibbard 6/10

Happy in a scrum that mullered the Barbarians, but line-out throws were middling. Rivals Tom Youngs and Rory Best can soon stake their claims.

3. Adam Jones 8/10

Regularly baffled or buckled his opposite number and Six Nations-winning mate, Paul James, for penalties. Nailed-on Test starter on this evidence.

4. Richie Gray 5/10

Hadn't played for two months and needs to do more. Snazzy pass to fellow Scot, Hogg, didn't stick. Unable to maul hard.

5. Paul O'Connell (capt) 7/10

Striding through a ruck to steal possession, this is what a Lion looks like. Quiet in line-out but well played, Paulie.

6. Dan Lydiate 8/10

It's tiring just watching him. First Test since June 2012 after injury, but you'd never know. His battle for the jersey with Tom Croft will be a belter.

7. Justin Tipuric 8/10

Chased a Yachvili break to pinch ball for the Lions, and was centimetres short of a try. A live rival to the captain, Sam Warburton.

8. Toby Faletau 7/10

Line-out tap launched Roberts early, and linked cleverly for a Cuthbert try. Not a blaster from the base; more of a third flanker, and relentless worker.

Replacements Tom Youngs (6/10) for Hibbard, 53: reprised a dodgy Premiership final; Cian Healy (7/10) for Vunipola, 56: nice little trundle off a ruck; Matt Stevens (6/10) for A Jones, 56: a good work-out; Alun Wyn Jones (8/10) for O'Connell, 29-37 and 63: refused to accept that being a substitute might stop him topping the tackle count; Jamie Heaslip (6/10) for Faletau, 63: not a bad 20 minutes; Conor Murray (7/10) for Phillips, 58: ghosting half-break in Cuthbert's second try; Jonny Sexton (6/10) for Farrell, 58: comfortable conversion but then missed twice; George North (6/10) for Roberts, 67: came blasting into the game.

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