Unfortunately the England match wasn’t televised, but here’s the run down on the three international matches that were this past weekend. Some good stuff from Fiji and two Lions sides.

FIJI 22 vs 8 JAPAN
Saturday, June 1, 03:40 GMT, Lautoka

A match played in abominable conditions after torrential rain dominated the first half saw Fiji play their traditional care-free style nonetheless in a surprisingly entertaining match. The Japanese looked shell-shocked from the kickoff and Eddie Jones’ strategy of selecting a more mobile forward pack was a tactical failure. Japan were once again out-muscled in the contact area, beaten soundly in the scrum, and did little with the ball when they did have it.

Gargantuan centre Nemani Nadolo proved nearly unstoppable with ball in hand in a man-of-the-match performance that also featured some pulverizing tackles. Old man Sireli Bobo scored a super try barely a minute into the game after a three year international hiatus, and set up another try for effervescent flank Apisai Naikatini. Fiji now head halfway across the world to play a tough match against Canada on Wednesday, while Japan have two weeks to recover for the visiting North American sides.

SCORING
Fiji – S. Koroilagilagi 1c, S. Bobo 1t, A. Naikatini 1t, A. Natoga 1t, N. Nadolo 1t
Japan – A. Goromaru 1p, K. Fukuoka 1t

FIJI
S. Koniferedi (A. Natoga 56); A. Delai (N. Matawalu 62), N. Nadolo (N. Matawalu 56-62), L. Tabuarua, S. Bobo; S. Koroilagilagi (J. Lutumailagi 69), N. Kenatale; J. Yanuyanutawa (C. Ma’afu 45), T. Tuapati (V. Veikoso 69), S. Somoca (M. Saulo 45); A. Ratuniyarawa, W. Lewaravu (A. Nasiga 62); A. Naikatini, A. Qera (capt.) (M. Ravulo 66), N. Talei.

JAPAN
A. Goromaru; Y. Imamura, M. Sa’u, H. Tatekawa, H. Onozawa (K. Fukuoka 57); Y. Tamura (C. Wing 57), A. Hiwasa (K. Uchida 72); M. Mikami (T. Asahara 74), Y. Aoki (T. Kizu 45), K. Hatakeyama (H. Yamashita 45); H. Ono (S. Ito 69), M. Broadhurst; H. Tui, M. Leitch (T. Kitagawa 45), T. Kikutani (capt.).

BARBARIANS 8 vs 59 BRITISH & IRISH LIONS
Saturday, June 1, 11:30 GMT, Hong Kong

In a match only marginally more competitive than the one at Twickenham a week earlier, the Barbarians were once again run ragged in the stifling heat at So Kon Po Stadium. A long range penalty from Elliot Daly was all the offence they could muster until Kahn Fotuali’i livened things up in the second half. Joe Rokocoko had a couple nice touches but there was little else to talk about from their perspective.

The Lions will be pleased with an efficient and controlled performance, and most importantly that there were no injuries. Mike Phillips was the best player on the pitch and his replacement Conor Murray was no slouch either. Nearly every player put their hand up for test selection with only Owen Farrell having a bit of an off-day. Gatland’s men now head to Perth to officially start their Australian experience against the dangerous Western Force in what should be a tasty encounter on Wednesday.

SCORING
Barbarians – E. Daly 1p, K. Fotuali’i 1t
Lions – O. Farrell 3p 3c, J. Sexton 2c, M. Phillips 2t, A. Cuthbert 2t, P. O’Connell 1t, J. Davies 1t, D. Lydiate 1t, A.W. Jones 1t

CARDS
Barbarians – S. Brits yellow

BARBARIANS
J. Payne; T. Ngwenya (M. Tindall 58), E. Daly, C. Laulala (J. Hook 67), J. Rokocoko; N. Evans, D. Yachvili (K. Fotuali’i 52); P. James (D. Jones 57), S. Brits (L. Ghiraldini 44), M. Castrogiovanni (A. Lo Cicero 68); M. Wentzel (J. Hamilton 58), D. Mumm (I. Harinordoquy 52); S. Manoa (L. Ghiraldini 10-19), S. Jones, S. Parisse (capt.).

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS
S. Hogg; A. Cuthbert, J. Davies, J. Roberts (G. North 62), S. Maitland; O. Farrell (J. Sexton 57), M. Phillips (C. Murray 57); M. Vunipola (C. Healy 55), R. Hibbard (T. Youngs 52), A. Jones (M. Stevens 55); R. Gray, P. O’Connell (capt.) (A.W. Jones 28-36, 62); D. Lydiate, J. Tipuric, T. Faletau (J. Heaslip 62).

GOLDEN LIONS 74 vs 14 SAMOA
Saturday, June 1, 12:30 GMT, Johannesburg

Another match that might best have been avoided altogether saw the Golden Lions absolutely thrash a haphazard pseudo-Samoan side on the Highveld. By the time Derick Minnie crossed for his third try some twenty minutes in, the contest was well and truly over. The Gauteng side played some attractive rugby and will be pleased with the hit-out, despite the obviously disinterested opposition.

Manu Samoa fans shouldn’t be too disheartened, however, as few of this group will make the test side. In fact two Wits university players, Charlie Baggott and Jason Fraser, played the majority of the game in a pack that was also forced to field hooker Manu Leiataua at no8 after openside Falemiga Selesele lasted only twenty minutes. Most of the Manu’s top professionals will now prepare for the upcoming tests against Scotland, Italy, and South Africa.

SCORING
Lions – M. Boshoff 4c, 2p, L. Cronje 5c 1t, D. Minnie 3t, S. Hanekom 2t, A. Volmink 1t, C. Botha 1t, R. Cronje 1t, D. van Rensburg 1t
Samoa – K. Anufe 2c, A. Tuilagi 1t, O. Treviranus 1t

GOLDEN LIONS
C. Botha; D. van Rensburg (R. Combrinck 60), S. Hanekom, A. Hollenbach (D. des Fountain 60), A. Volmink (D. van Rensburg 68); M. Boshoff (L. Cronje HT), M. Bondesio (R. Cronje 48); J.C. Janse van Rensburg (J. van Rooyen 54), R. Coetzee (F. du Toit HT), R. Dreyer (C.J. van der Linde 60); G. Annandale (S. Greeff 54), H. Kloppers; J. Kriel (D. Minnie 14), W. Tecklenburg (W. Britz HT-60), W. Whiteley (capt.) (W. Britz 60).

SAMOA
P. Williams (capt.); S. Sinoti (B. Va’aulu HT), S. Mapusua, I. Tu’ifua (R. Lilomaiava 50), A. Tuilagi (S. Sinoti 68); K. Anufe, J. Poluleuligaga (A. Tupou 60); S. Aiono (S. Taulafo 27-60), M. Leiataua, J. Johnston (L. Mulipola 18-56); C. Baggott, F. Lemalu (J. Johnston HT-56); A. Fa’osiliva (J. Fraser HT), F. Selesele (O. Avei 18-25, 29), O. Treviranus (A. Fa’osiliva 60).