Alright, so here we go. The British & Irish Lions. A team that only exists once every four years, pulls together four rival nations, and then just… tours the southern hemisphere trying to beat countries that literally play together all the time. Thatās like forming a rock band once every Olympic cycle and expecting to outsell The Beatles.
But somehow, the Lions are iconic. Thereās history. Thereās heartbreak. Thereās brilliance. Thereās also a lot of drinks and questionable haircuts.
This is the entire history of the British & Irish Lions. I guess.
#rugby #britishandirishlions #wallabies #britishandirishlions2025
All right. So, imagine you took four countries that kind of hate each other and then made them play on the same team. Now, give them red shirts, fly them halfway across the world, and tell them they’ve got 5 weeks to beat the best teams in the Southern Hemisphere. Sounds like a bad travel vlog. Nope. That’s a British and Irish Lions. And this is an entire chaotic, legendary, heartbreaker riddled, and sometimes glorious history. I guess it all started in 1888. No, seriously. A bunch of British cricketers led by Alfred Shaw and Arthur Shrewsbury decided to create a rugby side to tour New Zealand and Australia. They weren’t even officially sanctioned by the Rugby Football Union, the RFU, just a bunch of upper class BS with money, a taste for sport, and absolutely no idea what they were about to start. They played 35 matches over nearly 6 months. Only 19 were rugby, the rest Australian rules football. The team traveled by boat, train, and horsedrawn carriage. It was more of an expedition and a sporting tour. The first official tour came in 1891, this time under the patronage of the Rugby Football Union. They went to South Africa and won all three tests. The team didn’t have a fixed identity yet, sometimes being called the British Isles team. The idea of including Irish players was baked in early. Though the politics of identity were always complicated, by 1950, the team settled on red jerseys to represent all four nations. Red for Wales, blue socks for Scotland, white shorts for England, and a green emblem for Ireland. A patchwork identity, but it worked. In the early 1900s, the Lions were curiosity more than a competitive threat. The 1904 tour to Australia was successful on paper, winning most matches, but was hardly headline news back home. Rugby wasn’t the commercial powerhouse it would become. The 1910 tour to South Africa was the first to include a manager in a dedicated coaching setup, reflecting a shift towards professionalism, at least in attitude, not payment. But results were mixed. World War I put a pause on everything. No tours until 1924, and the inter war years were erratic. Logistics were brutal. Players spent months away from home, often unpaid, losing their day jobs while competing on rough pitches with minimal medical support. Still, the spirit endured. The 1938 tour to South Africa was a grueling affair and the Lions lost the test series 2-1. But it set a precedent. Every tour felt like a chance to prove that four nations could become one. The 1955 tour to South Africa marked the beginning of something special. Led by Robin Thompson and featuring the electric Cliff Morgan at Fly Half, the Lions played fast, expansive rugby that captured hearts. The test series ended 2-2, but it was held as a triumph of spirit and style. Fast forward to 1971. The Lions went to New Zealand, a place where Northern Hemisphere teams go to get humbled. But this team, coached by the visionary Carwin James, they were different. Barry John, the so-called king, put strings at 10. Gareth Edwards and Mike Gibson were unstoppable. The pack, led by John Doors, was clinical. They won the series 2-1 with one draw. It remains the only Lion Series victory in New Zealand. Then came 1974, South Africa during apartheid. Political backdrop aside, the tour became legendary. Willie John McBride was the leader. His famous 99 call was a tactical decision to deter onfield violence. If one line was targeted, everyone retaliated. It led to one of the most dominant tours in Lions history. 22 games, 21 wins, one draw. Not a single loss. The Spring Box was stunned. The 1980s were a struggle. In 1983, the Lions returned to New Zealand and were overwhelmed 4-nil in the test series. The Old Blacks were just too fast, too strong, too well drilled. The Lions coupled together without proper prep time looked like a relic. Then came 1989, the tour to Australia. The Lions lost the first test badly, but coach Ian McGichin and Captain Finley Calder turned it around. They won the next two tests to seal the series. Gavin Hastings boot, Jeremy Guskot’s running lines. This was a side that rediscovered pride. The 1993 tour to New Zealand was competitive, but ultimately unsuccessful. The Lions lost the series 2-1, but was also the last amateur era tour. By the time rugby turned professional in 1995, everything was about to change. 1997 was the rebirth. South Africa nearly readmitted to international rugby post apartheid was a formidable opponent. The Lions led by Martin Johnson and coached by McGichin embraced a no frills hard-edged game plan. The first test in Cape Town was a shocker. 1825 to the Lions. The second test was even more dramatic. Guskot dropped goal in the dying minute sealed the series. Dawson, have they got the selfie? It’s Gus. The third test was a dead rubber, but the Lions had already made history. 2001 Australia. The Lions won the first test in Brisbane 2913. O’Drriscoll scored a wonder try. Straight through goes O’Drriscoll all the way. A shocking miss by Matthew Burke. And a third try for the Lions. Jason Robinson let off the turf.
Here’s Robinson. He’s around Leon. Oh, what a sensational start. But the walabeees fought back. In the second test, George Gregan and Joe Roth tore the Lions apart. The third test in Cindy. Johnny Wilkinson was off his game and Australia edged it 29-23. Series lost 2-1. 2005 New Zealand. Expectations were high. Reality hit hard. The Lions were dismantled in all three tests. The first test will always be remembered for the spear tackle on Brian O’Driscoll just seconds in. No punishment out for the tour. The Lions never recovered. Dan Carter put on a masterclass in the second test scoring 33 points. Total domination. 2009 saw the Lions return to South Africa with pride on the line. The first test in Durban was brutal. Physicality off the charts. The Spring Box won 26-21, but the Lion showed resilience. The second test in Ptoria was even more intense. The Lions led with minutes to go only for Mourn stage to slot a 50 me penalty and break their heart. This for the series win. It’s got the distance. Stain has won the game for South Africa. 28 to2 series lost. They won the third test convincingly, but it was consolation. 2013, Australia again. The first test was tight. Lions win 23-21 thanks to Lee Half Penny’s boot and George North’s legendary solo try. The second test, Walaby Strike back 1615. Miss Kicks taunt the Lions. Then the decider Gatlin drops O’Driscoll, picks Jamie Roberts and unleashes a backline full of power. The Lions destroy Australia 41 points to 16. Series win. Statement made. 2017 New Zealand. First test in Oakland. The All Blacks too strong. 30 points to 15. Rico Yuani announces himself. Second test in Wellington. Sony Bill Williams sees red. Lions capitalize and scrape a 24 points to 21 win. Decider in Eden Park ends 15 all. Nobody really knew what to feel. It was surreal, but the Lions have matched the best team in the world. 2021 Lions go back to South Africa, but it’s different. No fans, no atmosphere, just biobubbles in daily testing. First test, Lions win 22 points to 17. Physical dominance, smart tactics. Courtney Laws was a beast. Duan Vander Murworth relentless. Second test. Springbox flipped the script, winning 27 points tonight. A total arm wrestle. Kesling Colby steps up. Crafter Clerk controls the tempo. Third test, tense ugly, a kicking battle. Mourn stain now 37 comes off the bench and does what he did in 2009. Nails the series winning penalty. 1916 to South Africa. The toface criticism too conservative lacked flare but given the circumstances still added to the lions mythos. 2025, the Lions are back. In this time, Australia awaits, but it’s a new era. Auntie Farrell is the head coach, first ever island manager in charge. He’s got credibility, vision, and experience. His coaching in 2023 led Ireland to a grand slam. He knows how to unify a team. Captain Maru Toge, one of the most dominant locks in world rugby. Smart, vocal, imposing, the man lives for the big moments. The squad is looking sharp. Josh Van Deer Fleer brings world-class breakdown work and relentless energy. Finn Russell and Marcus Smith provide creativity at fly half. Hugo Keenan is a rocket fullback and there’s excitement about the next generation. Guys like Finn Smith and especially Henry Pollock. The 20-year-old openside from Northampton who’s tearing up the Premiership with breakdown steals and fearless tackles. The team has depth, experience, and explosive talent, but caution. The Lions lost their warm-up game to Argentina in Dublin. Sloppy defense, poor discipline, and a lack of cohesion. Australia, meanwhile, are on the rise. Under new leadership, their squad has rediscovered belief. The super rugby sides are finally competitive. Players like Rob Valentini and Matt Fasler are electric. They’ve also built up a forward pack and can dominate set pieces. So, yes, the Lions could win this series, but don’t expect a walkover. This one could be a classic. With that all said and done, it’s been your boy John Talks Rugby. And if you enjoyed this video, make sure to click on screen now to see how this American front rower almost won World Rugby Player of the Year. Thank you for watching and I’ll see you next time. Back on side Davis again. And what a try coming up for sure. Man is brilliant.
1 Comment
Great video !!!