Lions coach hails stars of warm-up win

Pollock, McCarthy, Hansen steal show

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Henry Pollock might have hogged the limelight in the British and Irish Lions Australian tour opener, but coach Andy Farrell was equally impressed with Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen who staked claims for a Test spot.

Hulking English back-rower Pollock, 20, lived up to the hype in Perth, helping the tourists to an emphatic 54-7 win over Western Force on Saturday.

While he put himself in the shop window for a Test call-up, playing a part in two of the Lions' eight tries, it was McCarthy who claimed man-of-the-match honours.

The tireless Irish lock's fingerprints were all over the game, making key defensive plays and powering over for a well-earned five-pointer.

It put him in pole position to claim a contested tight five slot in the first Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane on July 19.

"He just stays in the game the whole time," Farrell said of McCarthy.

"He's a lot more composed in what he does but at the same time he's never wavered in the intent within his game.