Well, this wasn’t the start anyone was hoping for.

After months of buzz and excitement, Andy Farrell’s first game in charge of the 2025 British & Irish Lions ended in disappointment as they were edged out 28-24 by a sharp and organised Argentina side in Dublin.

With the tour now officially underway, all eyes were on the players—who stepped up and who may have some catching up to do?

Let’s take a look at who came out of the Aviva Stadium looking strong, and who might want to leave this one behind.

Those Who Rose to the Occasion

Ellis Genge – Making a Big Statement

If there’s one player who can hold his head high, it’s Ellis Genge.

The powerhouse prop absolutely bossed the scrum, holding off a notoriously strong Pumas pack.

That alone is no small achievement.

But Genge wasn’t just about brute strength—he was a force in open play too, including a strong carry that helped set up Tadhg Beirne’s second-half try.

It’s early, but Genge looks primed to be a major figure on this tour.

Fin Smith – Calm, Composed, and Creative

Talk about following in family footsteps—Fin Smith joined the Lions just like his grandfather, Tom Elliot, and didn’t disappoint.

The young fly-half showed poise well beyond his years, creating space and one-on-one chances for the backline.

He operated the Lions’ Ireland-style pod attack with confidence, consistently linking up with forward runners and outside threats.

It wasn’t a perfect performance from the team, but Smith did himself plenty of favours.

Tommy Freeman – Mr. Reliable

Freeman just can’t stop scoring, can he? After a strong Six Nations showing, he carried that form into this Lions opener.

The England winger was constantly popping up, looking for the ball, and making defenders work.

Farrell likes his wingers active all over the pitch, and Freeman fits that role perfectly.

Quick, aggressive, and relentless—he’s looking like a real asset for the tour ahead.

Those Who Struggled to Find Their Feet

Sione Tuipulotu – Rust Shows

It’s been a quiet season for Tuipulotu due to limited game time, and unfortunately, that lack of match sharpness showed.

He fumbled a pass from Freeman and had some shaky moments in defence.

To be fair, you can’t blame all of the team’s defensive lapses on one man—but the Lions were too easily breached in his channel.

He might be better suited to inside centre moving forward.

The good news? He’ll likely sharpen up with more minutes.

Luke Cowan-Dickie – Line-Out Woes

This wasn’t the birthday he would’ve hoped for. The Sale Sharks hooker had an early try chalked off and never really got into a rhythm with his line-out throws.

A few crucial misfires meant lost momentum for the Lions.

He did play a role in the scrum dominance, which was a plus—but he was subbed off not long into the second half.

Sadly, things didn’t improve much with his replacement, Ronan Kelleher, either.

A Wake-Up Call, but Not a Disaster

Losing the opening match at home is never ideal, but it’s far from panic stations.

Farrell has a clear vision, and several players are already stepping up to meet the standard.

With more time together and a few tweaks, the Lions will be expected to roar much louder in the games ahead.

Let me know if you want a follow-up preview for their next fixture or deeper analysis on individual performances!