PUMAS PREY ON LIONS

Itoje says his men were caught napping as they fail first test

- ADAM HATHAWAY AT THE AVIVA STADIUM

MARO ITOJE'S Lions failed badly to show their teeth as they kicked off their summer with a deflating defeat to rampant Argentina.

The skipper was replaced with 11 minutes left and watched from the bench as his side threw the kitchen sink at the visitors but could get a clinching score.

Eleven points down at the break, the Lions fought back with a penalty try and a score from Tadhg Beirne made by Tomos Williams' pass and a rampaging carry from Ellis Genge.

But the impressive Pumas grabbed the lead back thanks to Santiago Cordero's score and they held on when the flak was flying late on.

Itoje said: "We were not as consistent as wed have liked. We showed glimmers of what we can do but not consistently.

"Argentina caught us napping sometimes. We weren't accurate enough in some areas but when we looked good, we looked good.