Off-colour Lions made to work for victory over New South Wales Waratahs

Owen Farrell watched from the stands as the British and Irish Lions laboured to a 21-10 victory over New South Wales Waratahs in what was comfortably their worst performance since arriving in Australia.

A fortnight out from the first Test against the Wallabies and the Lions struggled to put away a side that finished eighth in the Super Rugby table and had lost five of their last six matches.

Even the arrival of a heavyweight bench could not provide the lift Andy Farrell’s men needed at Allianz Stadium and a dismal second-half made for grim viewing with Alex Mitchell’s 55th-minute try at least providing some breathing space.

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