BRENDAN GALLAGHER
BRENDAN GALLAGHER VERDICT

Oustanding condition: Kyle Sinckler

The opening matches of Lions tours are hurdles to be cleared not mountains to climb and as much an initiation ceremony as a rugby match. They tend to be much more shambolic dress rehearsal than glittering first night.
The results and indeed level of performance in such matches are largely irrelevant when set against how the rest of the tour is likely to progress which will be a comforting thought for Warren Gatland as his squad prepare for the Blues.
The only British and Irish team ever to emerge from a tou...