These are the 25 greatest moments in Lions history
As Andy Farrell's class of 2025 prepare to begin their schedule in Dublin against Argentina on Friday night, history will be weighing on their shoulders. They are walking in the footsteps of sporting giants.
Recency bias and more readily available video clips mean the modern tours have greater representation in this list, but a run-down should stir excitement for what lies ahead over the coming weeks.
Here are my greatest 25 British and Irish Lions moments. Click here to vote for your favourite among our top 10.
25. Zebo rolls the dice, 2013
Unfiltered footage of the inner sanctum has become more difficult to get through censors, which makes it rarer to glimpse any truly organic levity. Back in 2013, though, we were treated to a highly amusing glimpse of tour life. Simon Zebo, a late call-up who became a popular squad man, was fined for telling Conor Murray to kick the ball out while there was still time to play in the first half of a midweek meeting with the Rebels.
📁 Lions Tours
└ 📁 Fines Meeting
└ 📁 Phone calls @SimonZebo 's call from 2013 will forever be one of the iconic #LionsRugby moments 😂
You can watch Lions Raw, our 2013 documentary on @SkySports Arena tomorrow at 10pm 📺 pic.twitter.com/TsLZaP4L8P
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) February 1, 2021
His punishment, determined by a dice roll, was ringing his Munster coach, Rob Penney, to ask about the captaincy for the following campaign. It was funny enough to have become a tradition, as we know from Finn Russell cold-calling Johann van Graan, his Bath boss, in 2021.
24. Monye's run to redemption, 2009
Selected for the opener of a brutal series against the Springboks 16 years ago, Ugo Monye was dropped for the second Test after a scruffy performance in a tight defeat. He returned for a dead rubber in Johannesburg and put the Lions on course for a restorative win by intercepting Wynand Olivier and sprinting 70 metres. Defence coach Shaun Edwards followed his wing most of the way.
🗓️ #OTD in 2009 @ugomonye raced clear to secure a 28-9 @lionsofficial 🦁 victory over the @Springboks 🇿🇦
😲 Was this really eleven years ago?! Want to remind yourself of what went on that day?
📺 HIGHLIGHTS 👉 https://t.co/EZjK4BIhKT pic.twitter.com/sdn6XruObO
— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 4, 2020
Monye was not the only player to achieve catharsis, either. Phil Vickery, undone by Tendai Mtawarira a fortnight previously, was far more robust in the scrummaging exchanges and left the field chanting 'Beast' to mimic South Africa 's supporters.
23. Irvine's high five, 1977
While exploits in Test matches have been prioritised here, Andy Irvine's five-try performance against King Country-Wanganui set a record and is worthy of inclusion. The fourth was sparked by a Phil Bennett jig in the back-field that looks similar to the start of Gareth Edwards's score for the Barbarians in 1973.
Bennett jinked past two before Irvine arrived on the scene to exchange passes with Steve Fenwick. The pace and balance of the Scotland full-back was condensed in a finish in which he confounded three more defenders.
22. Shaw's Test shirt, 2009
Noble defeats, of which the Lions have endured many, have been kept to a minimum on this list. But Simon Shaw's contribution to a frankly savage encounter at Loftus Versfeld also represented a first Test for the lock, 12 years after he had first toured with the Lions in 1997. He was monumental. Having poured his soul into a mighty individual performance, Shaw was heartbroken.
'I would rather have been taken off at half-time for playing poorly and have won this game than been man of the match,' he told Graham Simmons of Sky Sports in a memorable post-match interview.
21. Gibbs breaks down the door, 1997
As physical statements go, the clattering carry with which Scott Gibbs bounced off Os du Randt, the colossal Springboks prop, was immensely powerful. The Lions were trailing 10-6 at that stage, just after half-time of the second Test, yet would overhaul their hosts from there. Gibbs's offload to Jeremy Davidson complemented his trademark charge.
Happy 50th Birthday to the fastest prop in world rugby, Scott Gibbs 😆
As if we needed another excuse to watch Car Crash bouncing off Os du Randt… 😏 #LionsRugby pic.twitter.com/vd5IzejPwA
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) January 23, 2021
20. Gadget Geoff, 2013
He would only end up with three caps for the Wallabies, but Jesse Mogg was in electric form in 2013 and had already beaten the Lions twice, with the Brumbies and then in the second Test, when the series decider rolled around. Off the bench early, he latched onto a Kurtley Beale offload and glided into open space.
Geoff Parling's desperate – and somewhat unlikely – tap-tackle forced a turnover, foreshadowing a comprehensive win for Warren Gatland's men.
19. Itoje and The White Stripes, 2017
As those who toured South Africa in the grip of Covid and played in deserted stadiums will attest, Lions tours are made by the hordes of travelling supporters. That connection was illustrated beautifully as Maro Itoje, just 22 and in the midst of an extraordinary breakthrough, left the field after a 24-21 defeat of the All Blacks in Wellington.
🎶 Oooooooo (happy birthday) Maro Itoje!!!
🎶 Ooooooo (happy birthday) Maro Itoje!!!
One of the sounds of the summer - Happy Birthday Maro! pic.twitter.com/Y3TZc2xYcd
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) October 28, 2017
Tries from Taulupe Faletau and Conor Murray had rescued the Lions, and fans were rapturous. 'Oh, Maro Itoje', to the rhythm of Seven Nation Army, echoed around the Cake Tin. Alun Wyn Jones, on the third of his four tours, watched his junior engine-room partner soak up the adulation.
18. Robinson tears up the script, 2001
Despite the code-hopper plundering five tries in a warm-up game against a hapless Queensland President's XV towards the beginning of the tour, there were still doubts hanging over the decision to pick Jason Robinson for the Test series.
Happy Birthday to @Jason15Robinson - scorer of *THAT* try in 2001!
Have a great day Jason 🎂 pic.twitter.com/Xs4PtxLzqf
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 30, 2017
Those were dispelled – obliterated, really – before three minutes had elapsed. Quick hands from Scott Quinnell, Jonny Wilkinson and Matt Perry found Robinson close to the touchline. Chris Latham, the Wallabies full-back, was unbalanced and bamboozled in the space of a phone box. Robinson slammed the ball into the Brisbane turf and punched the air. A compelling series, eventually won by the hosts, was under way.
17. Davies the one-man wall, 2017
Winning a player-of-the-series gong against the reigning world champions is about as good as it gets and Jonathan Davies should be viewed as a great Lion.
His 2013 tour in Australia was about trucking runs. Four years on against the All Blacks, his defensive contributions were more prominent. One thumping tackle on Jordie Barrett at Eden Park, causing the latter to slice a clearance into touch, sticks in the mind.
16. Kangaroo court, 1997
The presence of two fines sessions in this list is not meant to champion irresponsible drinking. Instead, it should indicate the importance of what goes on behind the veil. Clearly, there is a balance to be struck and some aspects of the Lions must remain sacrosanct. That said, Living with the Lions in 1997 was the original and best documentary.
Players and coaches weren't going to be able to get away with anything in 1997, not with The Honourable Lord Chief Justice Fester presiding 👨⚖️
Happy Birthday Keith Wood 🎉 #LionsRugby pic.twitter.com/owhGYsVsrF
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) January 27, 2021
From Martin Johnson's stitches against Natal to an episode that depicts journalists waiting for a Scott Gibbs disciplinary, it is a fascinating watch. An old-school kangaroo court, with Ieuan Evans and Keith Wood wearing wigs and Neil Jenkins sporting an eye-patch, is riotous. It also leaves you with the sense that various threads of rugby union run from the grass roots up to the elite level.
15. Hastings ousts the All Blacks, 1993
While the 1993 trip to New Zealand yielded an overall record of six losses from 13 matches, the Test series was taken to the wire thanks to a win in Wellington that is regarded as one of the finest results the Lions have achieved.
🏉Morris➡️Guscott➡️Underwood🙌 #OnThisDay in 1993, Rory Underwood scored a sensational try as the Lions beat New Zealand 20-7 #AllForOne pic.twitter.com/WA8hnp8wlR
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 26, 2017
Captain Gavin Hastings played through the pain of a hamstring issue to land four penalties, Rory Underwood bagged an excellent try and burly Ben Clarke was a focal point for the pack.
14. An angle to die for, 2013
You could pick out a few defining images from the 41-16 thrashing of Australia that vindicated the Wales-heavy line-up assembled by Warren Gatland. Alex Corbisiero, a late replacement, rolled over the whitewash to set the tone and both Leigh Halfpenny and Johnny Sexton were exceptional.
What a moment in 2013 and one we won't forget anytime soon!
Happy Birthday @Jamiehuwroberts
We hope you've been practising those running lines... 😉 pic.twitter.com/mQx1nFxcam
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) November 8, 2019
Jamie Roberts's running line for the fourth and final try, which carved the Wallabies directly from a line-out, put a powerful full stop on a big win in Sydney.
13. Telfer takes on Everest, 1997
We have been treated to several special team talks and there should be honourable mentions for Andy Farrell's 'hurt arena' as well as Alun Wyn Jones's 'no tomorrow' in 2013. Sir Ian McGeechan's pre-match tears in 2009 remain moving, as well. Jim Telfer was on ferocious form in this department in 1997. His ode to the 'honest player' is magnificent, though the Everest imagery in a forwards meeting prior to the first Test crystallises the essence of the Lions.
"This is your Everest"
Wishing Lions legend Jim Telfer a very happy birthday with a speech that never gets old... pic.twitter.com/IhHEwDyAWL
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) March 17, 2017
'The easy bit is past,' he told a group including Tom Smith and Keith Wood, with orange netting across chairs in the meeting room to signify how low their body positions would need to be. 'Selection for the Test team is the easy bit. You have an awesome responsibility on the eight individual forwards' shoulders. Awesome responsibility. This is your f------ Everest boys. Very few get a chance, in rugby terms, to topple Everest. You have a chance today… to win for the Lions in a Test match is the ultimate.'
Telfer went on to reinforce what South Africa thought of the Lions scrum; that is to say, not very much. When he was done, the circle sat in silence for 20 seconds or so, spines tingling, no doubt. It was a formidable piece of oratory.
12. Waltzing O'Driscoll, 2001
Two tries from the same Test match might seem excessive. Brian O'Driscoll's surge up the guts of the Gabba, though, deserves to go up in lights. From the very start of the second half, the Lions moved the ball to their left before coming back into the middle.
The 22-year-old O'Driscoll, who had already set up a score for Daffyd James in a sensational all-round performance, took a pass from Jonny Wilkinson and pierced the Wallabies line between Jeremy Paul and Nathan Grey.
Oh. My. BOD.
What a try from the talismanic @BrianODriscoll 👏 @SkySports are showing all three of the 2001 Tests against Australia back-to-back on Sky Sports Arena tomorrow morning from 7am 🤩 #LionsRugby pic.twitter.com/ckBdLs2oyA
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) January 12, 2021
Matthew Burke was promptly beaten by a step off the centre's right foot and O'Driscoll had the pace to stave off a covering Joe Roff as well. Almost a quarter of a century later, the tone of the television commentary from Miles Harrison perfectly encapsulates its wonder: 'Oh, he's gone through… Ooooh, he's going!'
11. Warburton's diplomacy, 2017
Kieran Read might not care for this memory, given he was imploring referee Romain Poite to stick with his initial decision to penalise Ken Owens for offside from the restart that followed Owen Farrell's long-range penalty, which had tied the scores at 15-15 in a tense decider at Eden Park. On his second tour as captain, Sam Warburton somehow encouraged Poite to reconsider.
🗓️ #OTD in 2017... Romaine Poite's "deal"!!!
Warren Gatland re-lives the tense final moments of the 3rd @lionsofficial test v @AllBlacks in the company of @JamesGemmell_TV & @skysportsmiles.
Was it the right call!?
Full Episode 👉 https://t.co/W8iX5TR0C6 pic.twitter.com/SbTqpvgQNM
— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 8, 2020
The secret, as the back-rower would later explain, was maintaining a veneer of calm and keeping quiet. 'I went up to Romain and said: 'You have to check.' I didn't say what for, but I remember saying: 'You have to check the video. You've got to take a look.'' Television match official George Ayoub was enlisted and the Lions escaped with an accidental offside thanks in part to the composure of their captain.
10. North announces himself, 2013
A two-for-one entry here, chiefly to fit in as many moments as possible and spread them around the tours. George North's try in the first Test in 2013 should rank among the greatest ever individual efforts for the famous invitational side.
Fielding a clearance from Berrick Barnes, the hulking wing put on some dainty footwork to leave two defenders sprawling. North appeared to stumble thanks to James O'Connor's desperate flail, but accelerated into the open and bounced off his right foot to go around Barnes.
This simply never gets old....one of the greatest test tries in Lions history!
Happy Birthday @George_North 😃 #LionsSA2021 pic.twitter.com/ybZxsTC6Iz
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) April 13, 2020
The gesture towards Will Genia was apt in a competitive series, which featured another formidable feat from North a week later. Israel Folau was lifted onto the back of the Lions No 11 in a brief yet eye-popping show of strength.
9. Dawson's dummy, 1997
'Call out their names, think about them now: Kruger, Venter, Teichmann – they're all gonna get it.' Martin Johnson's gee-up in the Lions changing room prior to the first Test at Newlands, where he identified the famed Springboks back row, came home to roost in the second half when two of the trio – André Venter and Gary Teichmann – ate up an outrageous, hooked dummy from Matt Dawson.
Dawson's cheek... #OnThisDay in 1997, @matt9dawson 's audacious dummy saw him score in the corner
More: https://t.co/eYXfem32NI pic.twitter.com/ogzH9r9drH
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 21, 2017
André Joubert, the South Africa full-back, and opposite man Joost van der Westhuizen also fell for the audacious faint, allowing the Lions scrum-half to bustle over the try-line after foxing four defenders.
8. O'Brien caps a stunner, 2017
The series opener in 2017 amounted to a tactical clinic from the All Blacks, who were good value for a 30-15 victory. They narrowed up their attack to nullify the Lions' rush defence and pulled clear thanks to Rieko Ioane's double. There were flashes of defiance from the tourists, the brightest arriving five minutes before half-time from Aaron Cruden's hooked chip. With the Lions trailing 13-3, Anthony Watson turned to gather and located Liam Williams deep inside the tourists' 22.
#OTD in 2017 a moment of greatness was forever etched into #LionsRugby history 🦁
That moment was @SeanOBrien1987 's try 💯🔥 #LionsRugby pic.twitter.com/ejbG7U9N8I
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 24, 2021
A gorgeous step evaded Kieran Read and Williams slipped between Cruden and Sonny Bill Williams with the help of Ben Te'o's subtle block. Jonathan Davies linked up with his full-back and Elliot Daly injected impetus. When Davies received a return pass, the Lions were about 15 metres from glory and a spinning offload allowed Sean O'Brien to dive over.
7. Ballymore fisticuffs and a forgotten finish, 1989
Condoning violence is not the way to go, but Lions stories cannot be told without it. There was at least a somewhat comical slant to how a scrap between two scrum-halves – Robert Jones and Nick Farr-Jones – instigated a mass brawl at Ballymore in the second Test.
Indeed, the punch-up was so spectacular that Jeremy Guscott's solo try, from a grubber that the youngest player in the squad recovered in the shadow of Australia's posts, is perhaps underappreciated. Finlay Calder was another hero of a pivotal performance inspired by Sir Ian McGeechan's bold selection.
6. Evans' opportunism, 1989
Chris Handy, the Australian commentator, who delivered a scathing line that will have reflected the view of a nation as David Campese threw a surprise pass to Greg Martin that fell into the lap of Ieuan Evans. 'You don't wear a green and gold jersey to pull out that sort of Mickey Mouse rugby,' fumed Handy.
Evidently familiar with the unpredictable excellence of Campese, Evans had been ready for any eventuality and pounced to score the try that snuck the Lions to a 2-1 series win.
5. More clutch Guscott, 1997
The Guscott-McGeechan double act would vanquish South Africa eight years later, too, the Bath centre slotting a close-range drop goal to get past the wounded Springboks in Durban. It more than made up for Guscott's ballooned effort in Cape Town the previous weekend, which caused Jim Telfer to growl in the stands.
#ThrowbackThursday to this day in 1997 when Jeremy Guscott kicked *that* drop-goal to secure victory over South Africa... 🙌 #TBT #OnThisDay pic.twitter.com/FrHyc0RiYV
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 28, 2018
4. JJ seals immortality, 1974
Scoring a brace of tries in two of the four Test matches as part of what is widely considered to be the greatest Lions tour of all time; what a feat for JJ Willliams. His second in the third Test at Boet Erasmus Stadium, from a kick-return that featured JPR Williams and Dick Milliken, showcased the wing's speed and put the result beyond doubt.
A word here, too, for JJ Williams' second in the second Test at Loftus Versveld, fashioned by another breakout from Phil Bennett, who was close to untouchable on that tour. The forwards linked beautifully and Gareth Edwards scampered down the touchline – sound familiar? – before JJ Williams followed up.
3. 'The King' ascends, 1971
It is far more apt for Gareth Edwards to describe the majesty of Barry John and how it was epitomised by the latter's try in the third Test against New Zealand in Wellington. Edwards had spun a pass back into the pocket to find his fly-half, and enjoyed a perfect view thereafter. John was poised for a drop-goal attempt, but slipped to his left, sold a dummy and stepped to the right.
'He decided to run the ball, which most people wouldn't have because, defensively, they were all there waiting to devour him,' Edwards said. 'I can only describe it as mesmerising; waltzing through and scoring a try with the opposition clapping him.'
2. JPR strikes for glory, 1971
Another brilliant intervention that would cause jaws to drop today, JPR Williams' 45-metre drop goal was a fitting way for the 1971 Lions to rubber-stamp their triumph over the All Blacks. Mervyn Davies was a star, but the resolute full-back had the final word. The ball reached him after a string of flung offloads. Williams took aim and sent it sailing over the crossbar.
#OnThisDay a full 48-years ago... @WelshRugbyUnion legend JPR Williams kicked a monster drop-goal in the fourth and final match of the 1971 Tour of New Zealand to draw the match and ensure we won the series.
We're loving the black and white footage! 👌 pic.twitter.com/N8qkfibyl5
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) August 14, 2019
Even if he would have had a while to weigh up the opportunity, his conviction was quite something. As it happened, the decisive kick, which led to a 14-14 draw that won the series 2-1 for the Lions, had been foretold by Williams himself.
'It was the end of a long tour and at that stage a lot of the guys were a little homesick,' he later recalled. 'On the bus going to the game I thought I would try to make them all laugh. I said I would drop a goal. Obviously no one believed me.'
1. The Battle of Boet Erasmus, 1974
This revered and rugged occasion has already been alluded to via the scoring spree of JJ Williams, but the victory as a whole – and how it sealed the major achievement of an unbeaten, 22-game tour – puts it at the pinnacle. The names of those that landed it have been committed to folklore.
Ian McGeechan was in the centres, with Ian McLauchlan and Bobby Windsor in the front row alongside Fran Cotton. The Lions back row comprised Roger Uttley, Fergus Slattery and Mervyn Davies. And, of course, captain Willie-John McBride is arguably the most totemic figure in Lions history.
His '99' call symbolised a desire for the Lions to stick together and stand up for themselves, which they did magnificently to prevail 26-9 in a primal contest of the utmost intensity. There were four matches left for the 1974 Invincibles, including a 13-13 draw in the final Test, though Port Elizabeth was where legends were forged.
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