While Garry Ringrose got 63 minutes under his belt in the British and Irish Lions' 24-19 win against the First Nations and Pasifika XV, it was perhaps more than he, and Andy Farrell had bargained for.
Ringrose missed the first Test win against the Wallabies on Saturday due to concussion, but having come through the return to play protocols, he took his place in the matchday squad in Melbourne today, for what would have been an ideal tune-up ahead of Saturday's second Test at the MCG.
Attempting to read between the lines, the fact he was named on the bench rather than the starting XV looked like a nod towards a short cameo at Marvel Stadium, and possibly a route back into the Test side.
Alas, an early injury for Darcy Graham on his Lions debut saw the Ireland international (below) togged out and ready to go, playing more than an hour, and impressing despite the Lions’ clunky overall display.
"Any chance to represent the Lions, I’ve got to pinch myself," he said, following the five-point win.
"It’s something I would have dreamed of and everyone in their dreams of doing so to get a chance to be out on the pitch was brilliant."
The 30-year-old had arguably been the standout player in the warm-up fixtures before picking up a concussion late in the win against the Brumbies a fortnight ago.
Scotland’s Huw Jones started ahead of Ringrose last weekend in Brisbane, and while the Ireland international is hoping he’s done enough to earn a second Test call, he’s prepared to row in behind whatever selection is made.
"It’s the team first. Wherever I fit in to help the team win, I’ll be all in on that.
"Yeah, happy out with the win today and then it’s kind of a cool challenge in that it’s a Test game in a few days and it’s all hands on deck from tomorrow morning really.
"Everyone is there for the team and I’ve been lucky enough to work with Faz [Andy Farrell] and a couple of coaches for so long that I’ve just complete trust in their decision making and back whatever it is and wherever my role fits in, then as I say, go all in on that.
"It’s the nature of the beast. If you weren’t dealing with that little battle there’s some other little battle that one’s dealing with and everyone has their own story that they’re trying to do themselves proud for their teammates, and family, so we’re all in the same boat in that regard."
If Ringrose does start on Saturday, then it could potentially be a change of both centres.
The Irish pair of Ringrose and Aki have been preferred as a unit, as has the Jones and Sione Tuipulotu partnership.
And having come up against the Scottish pair often, both with Leinster and Ireland, Ringrose has gained a new appreciation for how they work in tandem.
"To work with Sione and Huw, and Bundee as well is brilliant.
"At the start of the campaign, we’d challenge ourselves to be really open and honest with each other and try to get the best out of all of us. Whoever's out there on the day is representing the whole centre group. So whatever combination it is, there's a standard expected to deliver on so that nothing changes for this week.
"Without being too clever, what has impressed me most [about Jones and Tuipulotu] is their skill at the line. What is expected of centres is to be able to carry when it's tight, play through the line when it's on, then pull the trigger if the space is out wide. Those two are exceptional at that.
"It's been brilliant training against them, training with them, picking their brains on decision-making based on what they see.
"From playing against Scotland and watching them play for Glasgow, it's unreal to actually work with them and have those conversations. They've been brilliant from that perspective, so I've definitely learned off them and still learning off them in every meeting.
"They've unbelievably intelligent, skilful, physical, and really both of them are all-court in what they do."
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