Planet Rugby

The British & Irish Lions

Lions History

In-Depth History

  • Hurt: Jonny Wilkinson is treated after a fierce hit

    Lions Tour 2005

    The Lions lost Brian O'Driscoll to injury in the opening seconds and were whitewashed for the first time in 22 years. Read More

  • Try time: Jonny Wilkinson goes over to score in the 2nd Test

    Lions Tour 2001

    The Lions lost their first ever series against Australia despite winning the opening Test. Read More

  • Dropping in: Guscott lands the winning drop goal in the second Test

    Lions Tour 1997

    A Lions team billed as underdogs ran out surprise 2-1 winners against South Africa in a series memorable for Jeremy Guscott's last-gasp drop goal. Read More

  • Celebration: The Lions party after their second Test victory

    Lions Tour 1993

    A Lions team with a strong English confingent were edged out 2-1 by their All-Black counterparts in a very close series. Read More

  • Tour triumph: Rory Underwood celebrates the Lions' win in Australia

    Lions Tour 1989

    Finlay Calder's side became the first in Lions history to win a series after losing the opening match as they defeated Australia 2-1. Read More

  • In reserve: Roy Laidlaw was called into the Test side after injuries to Terry Holmes and Nigel Melville

    Lions Tour 1983

    The 1983 squad joined the 1966 team as the only Lions to suffer a 4-0 series whitewash. Read More

  • Jump to it: Lions skipper Bill Beaumont in the lineout

    Lions Tour 1980

    Bill Beaumont's injury-hit squad went on a controversial tour of apartheid South Africa and lost 3-1. Read More

  • Black tie-up: Doug Morgan gets hold of Lyn Davies during the third Test

    Lions Tour 1977

    After winning their first-ever series against the All Blacks six years before, The Lions found New Zealand out for revenge. Read More

  • Bok-beaters: Gareth Edwards celebrates a Lions try

    Lions Tour 1974

    The most successful Lions team in history travelled to South Africa for a bruising series but ran out the victors. Read More

  • John's the one: Barry John shows the skills that inspired the Lions

    Lions Tour 1971

    A star was born during the 1971 tour of New Zealand as Barry John inspired the Lions to victory. Read More

  • Tom Kiernan: Proved the Lions' star in 1968

    Lions Tour 1968

    Another injury-ravaged Lions team were easily brushed aside by South Africa. Read More

  • On the charge: Mike Campbell-Lamerton in action against Australia on the 1966 tour

    Lions Tour 1966

    A gruelling tour, which included trips to Australia and Canada, left The Lions exhausted as New Zealand emerged victorious. Read More

  • Collard: Action from the Durban Test

    Lions Tour 1962

    A low-scoring series ended without The Lions winning a single Test as they lost 3-0 to South Africa Read More

  • Held: Cliff Morgan in action against South Africa in 1955

    Post-war years

    The Lions had to wait five years after the end of the Second World War before touring again. Read More

  • Setting sail: Lions captain Ronald Cove-Smith heads for South Africa

    The early years

    A British rugby team first came into existence in 1888 when a 21-man squad visited Australia and New Zealand. Read More

Around Planet Rugby

TEAMtalk media network