Farrell one of five Sarries to feature for the Lions against Super Rugby franchise

All five Saracens players on tour in New Zealand featured as the British & Irish Lions bounced back from their defeat to the Blues on Tuesday by beating the Crusaders 12-3.

Prop Mako Vunipola, hooker Jamie George, lock George Kruis and fly-half Owen Farrell all started, with Maro Itoje on the bench.

There was also a spot on the wing for soon-to-be Saracens back Liam Williams, who will move to north London following the tour.

After a fairly bright start from the Lions, with Farrell getting the tourists on the front foot with flat ball, the Sarries fly-half kicked the opening points from the tee in the 13th minute, adding three more three minutes later.

Following a Richie Mo’unga penalty for the hosts, Farrell then made it three from three from the tee with another three-pointer in the 32nd minute.

It proved to be the final points of the half as the tourists went in with a 9-3 lead, with Farrell in particular impressing and linking up well with scrum-half Conor Murray of Munster.

For the second half, though, Farrell was at inside centre, with Leinster’s Jonny Sexton at 10 after an injury to Welsh centre Jonathan Davies.

In the midfield, though, Farrell continued to have an impact for the Lions, instigating a superb move in the 69th minute that led to another successful penalty to make it 12-3.

It proved the final scoring action of the match as the Lions held on to an impressive win, with Farrell among the man of the match contenders, not just for his kicking and attack play, but for his defence too,

Vunipola and George, though, also offered dynamic running in open play, while Kruis controlled the lineout well and Itoje put in some big hits after coming on.