Andy Farrell: Lions are on a learning curve

Thinking on their feet, adapting to changing conditions and shifting momentum; that’s the making of competitive Test rugby performers, and in the midfield partnership between Owen Farrell and Johnny Sexton, Andy Farrell is beginning to like what he sees about these 2017 Lions.

The way the two fly-halves combined on Saturday having been thrown together in adversity as a 10-12 axis to help defeat the Crusaders on their home patch in Christchurch has whetted the appetite for the pairing to be resurrected come the Test series with the All Blacks, beginning in 11 days.

The pair were united in the 28th minute at AMI Stadium when outside centre Jon Davies went off for a Head Injury Assessment from which he would not return.