SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Why Finn Russell will be the difference in the Test series... and the four areas the Lions must improve

Finn Russell was in a league of his own in Perth, stamping his mark on the team from No 10 and proving just how good he is with a fantastic display.

I've been a big fan of Russell for a long time. He's had a reputation as a maverick player, one capable of moments of brilliance but also flakiness at times.

I simply don't think that's the case these days. Russell guided the Lions expertly at fly-half in the win over Western Force, emphasising his place as the leading contender to be the Test playmaker. His creation of Elliot Daly's first try was a good example of his fine work.

Russell can pull a rabbit from a hat. He can create something from nothing. He's always been able to do that. But what he now has in his game as he's got older is a maturity.

He takes the right options at the right times. He doesn't overplay when he doesn't need to, picking the correct passes. He will take some dislodging from the No 10 shirt.

I think Russell will be the difference in the Test series. Simply put, the Lions have him in their team. Australia, meanwhile, do not have a player of his calibre.

Russell was a huge positive for the Lions. His kicking from the tee was also outstanding.

But on the whole, I thought the team looked a bit tired. That wasn't necessarily a surprise given they've only been in Australia a week and clearly the impact of the travel and subsequent jet lag will have been a factor.

Andy Farrell looked annoyed at half time despite his team being 21-7 up and I can understand why. Yes, of course, there were positives. But the basics of rugby are scrum, line-out and restarts and in all three aspects, the Lions had problems.

That has to improve. Discipline was also an issue. Australia will capitalise in these areas in the Tests if they're not sorted. It was a fantastic occasion in Perth and it was great to see a sea of red with Lions supporters packing out Optus Stadium.

The fast start made by the Lions with Dan Sheehan's try summed up what this team can do.

Their ball retention was excellent, going through the phases with Russell having lots and lots of touches. Encouragingly, every Lion on the field looked comfortable with ball in hand.

Russell's cross-kick to the corner was pinpoint, Sheehan and James Lowe combining for the try. It was excellent rugby. But then the Lions failed to collect the restart, which led to Nic White's score for the Force. Those poor basics would have really frustrated Farrell.

The Lions also gave away four penalties in the first 10 minutes. That's far too many.

But I was impressed by the early physicality and intent of Western Force. White and Ben Donaldson were lively, emphasising why it's important for Australia to release their players for the warm-up matches. Then Henry Pollock stepped up.

He'd spilled one early ball, but the run he made after linking with Josh van der Flier was world class. The interplay between those two flankers was brilliant to see. In my column before this game, I emphasised those two players can combine in the Test team.

This was evidence of that, with Tomos Williams finishing off the try. The Lions weren't perfect. Their scrum came under a bit of pressure and they made errors.

The red defence in the 13 channel was also a bit vulnerable. The blitz system they seemed to be using brings with it reward, but also plenty of risk.

A lot of the players were blowing during a high-octane first half. But that's a good thing. Australia will bring pace to the Test series, so this was ideal preparation.

Russell's quickly taken penalty was exactly the sort of rugby I've called for England to play for so long. I loved to see it. It was brilliant intuition, leading to the try for Daly.

But just before the break, the Lions finally paid the price for their poor discipline with Pollock going to the sin bin. The Lions were in a game at 40 minutes. The number of penalties was a concern, especially given the referee in this match – Ben O'Keeffe – will be the man in the middle for the first Test.

Farrell would surely have loved Williams' second score.

It was brilliant running rugby from the Lions, expert handling across the board seeing the scrum-half cross in the corner. I was really impressed by Williams, so I hope the fact he limped off after his second try with a hamstring problem isn't a serious injury. That's especially the case with Jamison Gibson-Park still a fitness concern. The Lions did well to pull clear in the second period.

To see Pollock running in the open spaces and chipping and chasing was excellent. The hard running grounds of Australia will clearly suit him this summer.

And I think there is still far more to come from him too. How exciting is that?

Pollock's setting up of Joe McCarthy was outstanding. McCarthy was also a stand-out figure at lock, doing a lot of unseen work. He came up with some good steals in the first half when the Lions were up against it. So, on the whole, this was a job well done for the Lions.

They won convincingly, as was expected, and now the tour is up and running. Yes, there are strides still to be made.

But that is how a Lions tour is, especially at the start.

With Russell at the helm, the sky is the limit for this team in the weeks to come.

Eight tries scored and only one conceded. Well done Lions.