the Lions extended unbeaten run with Brumbies win
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The British and Irish Lions secured a 36-24 win over the Brumbies on Wednesday, avoiding an upset in Canberra.
The Lions slowly pulled clear with second-half tries from Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier, but the strongest line-up fielded by head coach Andy Farrell so far on tour were unconvincing with the series opener against Australia just 10 days away.
Andy Farrell’s side improve on Waratahs struggle but ship four tries and concede double-digit penalties in Canberra
The Lions made the worst possible start when an early lapse in discipline allowed the Brumbies to build pressure from a driving lineout five metres out. They went through the phases with some powerful carries before prop Tuaina Taii Tualima touched down for the try.
Owen Farrell was named Thursday on the bench for the British and Irish Lions side to face a combined Australia-New Zealand team in Adelaide.
The British and Irish Lions earned another scrappy victory to maintain their perfect record since arriving in Australia.
The Lions were improved in attack as they ran in five tries and had three more over the line not given, but were plagued by more breakdown struggles and a high penalty count, plus further handling errors and an injury to Blair Kinghorn.
Farrell would be at pains to lose another key player to injury ahead of the looming Test series against Australia which starts in Brisbane on July 19, having already seen both Tomos Williams and Elliot Daly fly home with tour-ending issues to follow Zander Fagerson being ruled out before the trip.
The British and Irish Lions came through their penultimate match before the first Test against Australia with a 36-24 win over the ACT Brumbies on Wednesday.