The Lions 3 best and 3 worst players against the Stormers

Image credit: Graham Love

Planet Rugby 8: "Even with the shadow of Alun Wyn Jones on the bench, the Ospreys player again made the most of his opportunity. Good work for his maiden Lions try and heavily involved in third score."

Rugby Pass 8: "A sumptuous line for his 27th-minute try, confounding critics of his loose play [this one included], and showed excellent catch and pass skills to put in his second-row teammate in a few minutes later."

Planet Rugby 9: A mature debut from the international rookie who made nine tackles and shone with the ball in hand, producing a trademark goose step late on. Seven successful conversions have helped push him into the equation to face South Africa with fitness concerns elsewhere at fly-half.

Wales Online 9: "Impressively composed for a new call-up and brilliant counter-attack from deep to set up Rees-Zammitt’s try late on. Take a bow, son."

Off The Ball 8.5: "From winning the Premiership to an English debut to starting for the Lions, all in the span of three weeks, Marcus Smith has had the best month any 22-year-old could have imagined. Not to mention that he did not look out of place at all in the Lions 10 jersey, there may be a lot in the future for Smith on this tour."

Planet Rugby 9: "Excellent showing by the Exeter hooker. Unlucky to have an early try disallowed but made up for it before the first half was over with a fine finish. Faultless at line-outs and made plenty of metres during his 49-minute outing."

Off The Ball 9: "He was brilliant over the ball, not always making turnovers, but he was involved in almost all of them. He scored a good try, and was a leader on the pitch as well. It is very possible that he played his way into a starting jersey next week."

Rugby Pass 8: "His ability to strip and pilfer ball is world-class and he was a huge problem in pretty much every facet of the game for the Stormers."

Wales Online 9: "The stand out performer for the Lions. A huge statement ahead of the first Test. Great turnover menace, tackled anything that moved and burst brilliantly off a spinning ruck in the 34 ^th minute to score the Lions’ second try."

Pundit Arena 6: The Englishman showed lovely hands for a van der Merwe break in the early half, but like Adams he wasn’t given much opportunity.

Wales Online 5: One giant booming kick to touch showed his value in that area but after being stepped by Cheslin Kolbe in midweek his defence was exposed again with several Stormers players slipping through him.

Joe 6: Fell off two of his three tackle attempts.

Planet Rugby 6: "The versatile England ace made his third start of the tour at 13 and is growing into his new role but must improve in defence."

Wales Online 5: Lucky not to be penalised in the first scrum when he went to ground and then caught offside in one Lions attack. Helped steady the set-piece after early instability, but didn’t pull up any trees regarding Test selection.

Joe 6: Was getting on the wrong side of Wayne Barnes with early scrum engagements. Got the better of his opposite number, later in the first half, to win his side a penalty.

Pundit Arena (6/10): The Welsh winger didn’t do anything wrong but he wasn’t overly involved during the 58 minutes he was on the pitch. 

Wales Online (5): Penalised early on for rolling on the floor after being tackled then spilled a pass after offering himself on an inside burst in the second quarter. Few other opportunities. Not the heroics of previous matches.

Joe 5: Lost the ball forward on one carry. Made only four carries (for 26 metres) and missed a couple of tackles. His quietest game of what has been an otherwise excellent tour.

Planet Rugby 6: "A rare scoreless day for the Cardiff wing, who was not at his best but played a key role in the opening try before being withdrawn after 58 minutes."