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British & Irish Lions
British & Irish Lions logo (2023).svg
Unions England Rugby Football Union
Ireland Irish Rugby Football Union
Scotland Scottish Rugby Union
Wales Welsh Rugby Union
Founded 1888; 137 years ago (1888)
Coach(es) England Andy Farrell (2025)
Captain(s) England Maro Itoje (2025)
Most caps Ireland Willie John McBride (17)
Top scorer Scotland Gavin Hastings (69)
Most tries Ireland Tony O'Reilly (6)
Team kit
First match
Otago 3–8 Shaw & Shrewsbury Team United Kingdom
(28 April 1888)
Largest win
Western Australia Western Australia 10–116 British & Irish Lions
(8 June 2001)
Largest test win
 Argentina 0–46 British Lions
(7 Aug 1927)
Largest defeat
 New Zealand 38–6 British Lions
(16 July 1983)
Largest test defeat
 New Zealand 38–6 British Lions
(16 July 1983)
Official website
Rugby football current event.svg Current season

The British & Irish Lions is a special rugby union team. Players are chosen from the best in England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The Lions usually pick players who have already played for their national teams. However, they can also choose new players who haven't played for their country yet.

This team goes on a big tour every four years. They visit either Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa. The most recent tour was in 2021 against South Africa. South Africa won that series 2–1. Combined British rugby teams have been touring the Southern Hemisphere since 1888. The first tours were not officially supported, but later ones gained more backing. In 1949, the four rugby unions officially created a committee to manage the tours.

Team Name and Symbols

How the Team Got Its Name

The first team, in 1888, was called the Shaw and Shrewsbury team. It mostly had English players, but also some from Scotland and Wales. Later, the team was known as the British Isles. In 1950, they officially became the British Lions. This nickname was first used by journalists in 1924. They noticed the lion emblem on the players' ties.

The team's name changed to "British & Irish Lions" for the 2001 tour to Australia. People often just call them "the Lions."

Team Song

The Lions represent four different rugby unions from two countries. Because of this, they don't have one national anthem. For the 1989 tour, the British national anthem "God Save the Queen" was used. In 2005, a song called "The Power of Four" was created for the team. However, fans didn't like it much, and it hasn't been used since.

Team Colours and Kit

For over 70 years, the Lions have worn a red jersey. This jersey has a special badge that combines the symbols of the four unions. Before 1950, their kit looked very different.

Early Tour Kits

In 1888, the first team wore jerseys with thick red, white, and blue stripes. They had white shorts and dark socks. Tours to South Africa in 1891 and 1896 used red and white striped jerseys with dark blue shorts and socks. The 1899 trip to Australia saw blue jerseys with thin red and white stripes.

In 1908, when only English and Welsh players toured, they wore red jerseys with a thick white band. Their shorts were blue, and their socks were red with a white stripe.

Blue Jerseys and the Lion Badge

Lions crest adopted in 1924
Lions logo until 2023
Lions logo introduced in 2025

In 1910, with Scottish players back, dark blue jerseys were introduced. They had white shorts and red socks. The jerseys also featured a single lion crest. The 1924 tour kept the blue jerseys. This was the tour where the team first got the nickname "the Lions." Even though the lion was removed from the jersey, players wore lion ties. This made the public call them "the Lions."

In 1930, the Lions' blue jerseys caused a stir in New Zealand. New Zealand's team, the All Blacks, also wore dark colours. New Zealand agreed to wear white for the first time in their Test matches. During the 1930 tour, Irish players asked for green to be added to the kit. A green stripe was added to the socks. From 1938, the socks had a green top.

The Famous Red Jerseys

The red jersey, which is still worn today, was adopted for the 1950 tour. This change helped avoid kit clashes, especially with New Zealand. The current kit is a red jersey, white shorts, and green and blue socks. These colours represent the four unions. Since 1993, logos from kit suppliers and sponsors have been added to the jerseys.

Kit Suppliers and Sponsors

British & Irish Lions kits
Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor Tour Destination
Amateur Era
1983 - - New Zealand
1989 - - Australia
1993 Nike - New Zealand
Professional Era
1997 Adidas Scottish Provident South Africa
2001 NTL: Australia
2005 Zurich New Zealand
2009 HSBC South Africa
2013 Australia
2017 Canterbury Standard Life Investments New Zealand
2021 Vodafone South Africa
2025 Howden Australia

Jersey Changes Over Time

1888
1891–1896
1899–1904
1908
1910–1938
1950–present

Team Squad

2025 Australia Tour Squad

Props

  • Ireland Finlay Bealham
  • Ireland Tadhg Furlong
  • England Ellis Genge
  • Ireland Andrew Porter
  • Scotland Pierre Schoeman
  • England Will Stuart
  • Scotland Rory Sutherland

Hookers

  • England Luke Cowan-Dickie
  • Ireland Ronan Kelleher
  • Ireland Dan Sheehan
  • Scotland Ewan Ashman

Locks

  • Ireland Tadhg Beirne
  • Scotland Gregor Brown
  • England Ollie Chessum
  • Scotland Scott Cummings
  • England Maro Itoje (c)
  • Ireland Joe McCarthy
  • Ireland James Ryan

Back row

  • Ireland Jack Conan
  • England Tom Curry
  • England Ben Earl
  • Wales Jac Morgan
  • England Henry Pollock
  • Ireland Josh van der Flier

Scrum-halves

  • Ireland Jamison Gibson-Park
  • England Alex Mitchell
  • Scotland Ben White

Fly-halves

Centres

Back three

  • England Tommy Freeman
  • Ireland Mack Hansen
  • Ireland James Lowe
  • Scotland Darcy Graham
  • Scotland Duhan van der Merwe
  • England Elliot Daly
  • Ireland Hugo Keenan
  • Scotland Blair Kinghorn
  • Ireland Jamie Osborne
(c) Denotes team captain, Players in bold have Lions test caps

History of the Lions Tours

Early Tours (1888–1909)

British lions 1888
Shaw & Shrewsbury Team, 1888, The first British or Irish touring rugby team, a private-enterprise trip to Australia and New Zealand

The first Lions tour was in 1888. A team of 21 players visited Australia and New Zealand. Most players were from England, but some were from Scotland and Wales. They played 35 matches against local teams, winning 27 of them. They also played Australian rules football.

Two images of the 1891 tour on South Africa where the team –despite its label as an 'England' side, included several Scots; (left): A group photograph of a team, (right): match v Cape Colony, the first of the tour that totalised 20 games

In 1891, the first official tour took place in South Africa. The team played 20 matches, including three Test matches against regional South African sides. They won all three Tests. The touring side even gave the Currie Cup to Griqualand West, a local team they thought played best.

A British Isles team returned to South Africa in 1896. They played 21 games, winning three of four Tests against South Africa. Many players on this tour were from Ireland.

British rugby team 1899
The full squad that in 1899 returned to Australia, where they played 21 games, including four tests

In 1899, the British Isles toured Australia again. For the first time, the squad of 23 players included members from all four home nations. They played 21 matches and won three of four Tests against Australia.

In 1904, the British Isles team visited Australia and New Zealand. They won every game in Australia, including all three Tests. However, they found it much harder in New Zealand, losing their Test match there.

In 1908, another tour went to Australia and New Zealand. This time, only English and Welsh players went. They played well in most games but lost two Tests and drew one against New Zealand.

Tours from 1910 to 1949

British isles rugby team 1910
Official photo of the squad that toured on South Africa in 1910

The 1910 tour to South Africa was the first official tour with players chosen by all four unions. The team won just over half of their non-Test matches and lost the Test series to South Africa.

The Lions toured South Africa again in 1924. The team faced many injuries and lost three of the four Test matches. In total, they won 9, drew 3, and lost 9 of their 21 games.

British lions fourth test arg 1927
The British Lions before playing the 4th. match v. Argentina during their second tour to the country in 1927

In 1927, a short tour to Argentina saw the British Isles win all nine matches. This tour was very good for Argentine rugby. The Lions returned to New Zealand in 1930. They won most of their non-Test games but lost three of four Tests against New Zealand. They also visited Australia, losing one Test there.

In 1936, the British Isles visited Argentina for the third time, winning all ten matches. Two years later, in 1938, they toured South Africa. They won more than half of their regular matches and even won the final Test, despite losing the series. This is when their captain, Sam Walker, started calling them "THE LIONS."

Tours from 1950 to 1969

The first tour after World War II was to New Zealand and Australia in 1950. The Lions had new jerseys and a fresh playing style. They won 22 and drew one of their 29 matches. They lost all three Tests against New Zealand but won both Tests against Australia.

In 1955, the Lions toured South Africa. They had an impressive record, winning 19 of 25 games and drawing one. The four-Test series against South Africa was very exciting and ended in a draw.

The 1959 tour to Australia and New Zealand was also very successful. The Lions lost only six of their 35 games. They easily won both Tests against Australia. They lost the first three Tests against New Zealand but won the final one.

The 1960s tours were not as successful. In 1962, the Lions won 16 of 25 games in South Africa but lost three of four Tests against the Springboks. In 1966, John Robins became the first Lions coach. The team did very well in Australia, winning five non-Tests and drawing one, and winning both Tests. In New Zealand, they had mixed results and lost all their Tests. They also played a Test against Canada on their way home, winning 19–8. The 1968 tour of South Africa saw the Lions win 15 of 16 provincial matches, but they lost three Tests and drew one against the Springboks.

Tours from 1970 to 1979

The 1970s were a great time for the Lions. The 1971 British Lions tour to New Zealand and Australia team, led by Welsh players Gareth Edwards and Barry John, won their series against New Zealand. They lost their first game but then won 11 in a row. They went on to win the Test series against New Zealand 2–1.

The 1974 British Lions tour to South Africa was one of the most famous and successful Lions teams. Some players chose not to go because of Apartheid in South Africa, which was a system of unfair rules that separated people. However, led by Irish player Willie John McBride, the team played 22 games without losing. They won the Test series 3–0, with one draw. This series was known for being very physical. The Lions decided to fight back against aggressive play, using a famous "99 call" to make sure all players reacted together.

The 1977 British Lions tour to New Zealand saw the Lions lose only one non-Test game out of 21. However, they did not win the Test series, winning one game but losing the other three. In August 1977, the Lions also played and lost to Fiji on their way home from New Zealand.

Tours from 1980 to 1989

The Lions toured South Africa in 1980. They won all 14 of their non-Test matches. However, they lost the first three Tests to South Africa, only winning the last one after the series was already decided.

The 1983 tour to New Zealand was successful in non-Test games, but the team lost all four Tests against New Zealand.

A tour to South Africa was planned for 1986, but it was cancelled due to the political situation with Apartheid. The Lions did not return to South Africa until 1997, after Apartheid ended. In 1986, a Lions team played a special match against 'The Rest' to celebrate the International Rugby Board's 100th birthday.

The Lions tour to Australia in 1989 was shorter, with only 12 matches. The Lions won all eight non-Test matches and won the Test series against Australia 2–1.

Tours from 1990 to 1999

The tour to New Zealand in 1993 was the last tour before rugby became a professional sport. The Lions won six and lost four non-Test matches, and lost the Test series 2–1. The tour to South Africa in 1997 was a big success for the Lions. They only lost two games in total and won the Test series 2–1.

Tours from 2000 to 2009

British and Irish Lions scrum
The British & Irish Lions against New Zealand in 2005

In 2001, the Lions toured Australia. The Wallabies won the Test series 2–1. This series was the first time the Tom Richards Trophy was awarded. In the 2005 tour to New Zealand, coached by Clive Woodward, the Lions won seven games against local teams but lost to the New Zealand Maori team. They also lost all three Tests badly.

In 2009, the Lions toured South Africa. They played against South Africa, who had won the 2007 Rugby World Cup. The Lions lost the first Test 26–21 and the second Test 28–25. They won the third Test 28–9, so the series ended 2–1 to South Africa.

Tours from 2010 to 2019

In June 2013, the British & Irish Lions toured Australia. Wales head coach Warren Gatland was the Lions' head coach, and Sam Warburton was their captain. The tour started in Hong Kong against the Barbarians before moving to Australia. The Lions won all but one non-Test match, losing to the Brumbies 14–12. They won the first Test against Australia 23–21. Australia won the second Test 16–15, tying the series. In the final Test in Sydney, the Lions won 41–16. This was their first series win since 1997 and their first against Australia since 1989.

Warren Gatland was again the Lions Head Coach for the tour to New Zealand in 2017. Sam Warburton was again the captain. The tour included 10 games, with matches against local teams and three Tests against New Zealand. The Lions won their first game but then lost to the Blues. They beat the Crusaders but then lost to the Highlanders. They then beat the Māori All Blacks and the Chiefs. The Lions lost the first Test against New Zealand 30–15. They drew their final midweek game against the Hurricanes. In the second Test, the Lions beat a New Zealand team that had a player sent off. This tied the series. The final Test ended in a draw, meaning the series was also tied.

Tours from 2020 to Present

Warren Gatland was the Lions head coach again for the tour to South Africa in 2021. The tour was greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and all games were played without fans. South Africa won the Test series 2–1.

In 2024, it was announced that Andy Farrell would take over as the Lions head coach. A women's Lions team was also created in 2024. Their first tour to New Zealand will happen in 2027. For the 2025 tour to Australia, Ireland had a record number of players starting in the first Test. Wales did not have a player in the matchday squad for the first time since 1896. The Lions won the first Test 27–19.

Overall Test Match Record

Team Played Won Lost Drawn For Against Diff. W%
ANZAC XV 1 1 0 0 19 15 +4 100
 Argentina 8 6 1 1 260 59 +201 81.25
 Australia 24 18 6 0 441 267 +174 75
 Canada 1 1 0 0 19 8 +11 100
 Ceylon 2 2 0 0 89 6 +83 100
East Africa Protectorate East Africa 2 2 0 0 89 12 +77 100
 Fiji 1 0 1 0 21 25 –4 0
 France 1 1 0 0 29 27 +2 100
 Japan 1 1 0 0 28 10 +18 100
 New Zealand 41 7 30 4 399 700 –301 17.07
Rest of Europe XV 1 1 0 0 43 18 +25 100
Rhodesia/Southern Rhodesia 9 9 0 0 265 83 +182 100
 South Africa 49 18 25 6 554 636 –82 36.73
South West Africa 4 4 0 0 69 22 +47 100
The Rest 1 0 1 0 7 15 –8 0
Total 145 71 63 11 2,308 1,875 +433 48.97

Overall Test Series Results

Team Tours Won Lost Drawn W%
 Argentina 3 3 0 0 100
 Australia 9 7 2 0 77.78
 New Zealand 12 1 10 1 8.33
 South Africa 14 4 9 1 28.57
Total 38 15 21 2 39.47

Lions Tours and Matches

Tour Format

The Lions usually tour three countries in the Southern Hemisphere: Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. Before World War II, they also toured Argentina three times. Since 1989, tours have happened every four years. The most recent tour was to South Africa in 2021.

Sometimes, the Lions play a "home" game before starting their main tour. For example, in 2005, they played Argentina in Cardiff. In 2021, they played Japan in Murrayfield.

On tour, the Lions play against local teams, clubs, or special regional teams. They also play important Test matches against the host country's national team.

The Lions have also played games in other nearby countries during their tours. For instance, they played Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) many times during their South Africa tours. They also lost to Fiji in 1977. They visited Namibia (then called South West Africa) several times too.

On their way home, they have played games in places like Canada, East Africa (in Kenya), and an unofficial game against Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).

Year To Captain Head coach Top scorer in Tests Test series result Tests record
1888 New Zealand
and Australia
England Robert Seddon
England Andrew Stoddart
England Alfred Shaw
England Arthur Shrewsbury
No Test matches played
1891 South Africa Scotland Bill Maclagan England Edwin Ash England Arthur Rotherham, 4 Won 3–0
1896 South Africa England Johnny Hammond
Thomas Crean
England Roger Walker England J. F. Byrne, 12 Won 3–1
1899 Australia England Matthew Mullineux
England Frank Stout
England Matthew Mullineux England Charlie Adamson, 17 Won 3–1
1903 South Africa Scotland Mark Morrison England Johnny Hammond Scotland John Gillespie, 4 Lost 0–1–2
1904 Australia
and New Zealand
Scotland David Bedell-Sivright
WalesTeddy Morgan
New Zealand Arthur O'Brien Wales Percy Bush, 20 Won
Lost
3–0 (Australia)
0–1 (New Zealand)
1908 New Zealand
and Australia
Wales Arthur Harding England George Harnett Wales Reggie Gibbs, 3
Wales Jack Jones, 3
Lost 0–2–1 (NZ)
No tests against Australia
1910 South Africa Ireland Tommy Smyth
Wales Jack Jones
England William Cail
WalesWalter E. Rees
England Jack Spoors, 9 Lost 1–2
1910 Argentina England John Raphael England R.V. Stanley England Harold Monks, 10
(no test caps awarded)
Won 1–0
1924 South Africa England Ronald Cove-Smith Wales Harry Packer England Tom Voyce, 6 Lost 0–3–1
1927 Argentina Scotland David MacMyn England James Baxter England Ernie Hammett, 40
(no test caps awarded)
Won 4–0
1930 New Zealand
and Australia
England Doug Prentice
England Carl Aarvold
England James Baxter England Carl Aarvold, 9 Lost
Lost
1–3 (New Zealand)
0–1 (Australia)
1936 Argentina England Bernard Gadney England Doug Prentice England John Brett, 7
(no test caps awarded)
Won 1–0
1938 South Africa Ireland Sam Walker England Major B.C. Hartley Wales Vivian Jenkins, 9 Lost 1–2
1950 New Zealand
and Australia
Ireland Karl Mullen
WalesBleddyn Williams
England Leslie B. Osborne Wales Lewis Jones, 26 Lost
Won
0–3–1 (NZ)
2–0 (Australia)
1955 South Africa Ireland Robin Thompson
WalesCliff Morgan
Ireland Jack Siggins England Jeff Butterfield, 12 Tied 2–2
1959 Australia
and New Zealand
Ireland Ronnie Dawson Ireland O. B. Glasgow Ireland David Hewitt, 16 Won
Lost
2–0 (Australia)
1–3 (New Zealand)
1962 South Africa Scotland Arthur Smith
EnglandDickie Jeeps
Ireland Harry McKibbin England John Willcox, 5 Lost 0–3–1
1966 Australia
and New Zealand
Wales David Watkins
Scotland Mike Campbell-Lamerton
Wales John Robins Scotland Stewart Wilson, 30 Won
Lost
2–0 (Australia)
0–4 (New Zealand)
1968 South Africa Ireland Tom Kiernan Ireland Ronnie Dawson Ireland Tom Kiernan, 35 Lost 0–3–1
1971 New Zealand Wales John Dawes Wales Carwyn James Wales Barry John, 30 Won 2–1–1
1974 South Africa Ireland Willie John McBride Ireland Syd Millar Wales Phil Bennett, 26 Won 3–0–1
1977 New Zealand Wales Phil Bennett Wales John Dawes Wales Phil Bennett, 18 Lost 1–3
1980 South Africa England Bill Beaumont Ireland Noel Murphy Ireland Tony Ward, 18 Lost 1–3
1983 New Zealand Ireland Ciaran Fitzgerald Scotland Jim Telfer Ireland Ollie Campbell, 15 Lost 0–4
1989 Australia Scotland Finlay Calder Scotland Ian McGeechan Scotland Gavin Hastings, 28 Won 2–1
1993 New Zealand Scotland Gavin Hastings Scotland Ian McGeechan Scotland Gavin Hastings, 38 Lost 1–2
1997 South Africa England Martin Johnson Scotland Ian McGeechan Wales Neil Jenkins, 41 Won 2–1
2001 Australia England Martin Johnson New Zealand Graham Henry England Jonny Wilkinson, 36 Lost 1–2
2005 New Zealand Ireland Brian O'Driscoll
Wales Gareth Thomas
England Clive Woodward Wales Stephen Jones, 14 Lost 0–3
2009 South Africa Ireland Paul O'Connell Scotland Ian McGeechan Wales Stephen Jones, 39 Lost 1–2
2013 Australia Wales Sam Warburton
Wales Alun Wyn Jones
New Zealand Warren Gatland Wales Leigh Halfpenny, 49 Won 2–1
2017 New Zealand Wales Sam Warburton
Ireland Peter O'Mahony
New Zealand Warren Gatland England Owen Farrell, 31 Tied 1–1–1
2021 South Africa Wales Alun Wyn Jones
New Zealand Warren Gatland Wales Dan Biggar, 23 Lost 1–2
2025 Australia England Maro Itoje England Andy Farrell
2029 New Zealand

Other Lions Matches

The Lions have played other special matches against international teams. Most of these were one-off games for special events. The matches against Argentina in 2005 and Japan in 2021 were warm-up games for tours.

In 1955, the Lions played an unofficial match against a Welsh team in Cardiff. This was to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Welsh Rugby Union. The Lions won 20–17.

In 1977, the Lions played their first official home game against the Barbarians. This was a charity game for the Queen's silver jubilee. The Lions won 23–14.

In 1986, the Lions' planned tour to South Africa was cancelled for political reasons. Instead, a match was organized against The Rest to celebrate the International Rugby Board's 100th birthday. The Lions lost 15–7.

In 1989, the Lions played against France in Paris. This game was part of the celebrations for the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution. The Lions won 29–27.

In 1990, a team of players from the four home unions played against the Rest of Europe. This match raised money to help Romania after a big political change there. The team used the Lions' logo.

Player Records

Players in bold are still active in international rugby.
Only matches against full international teams are listed.

Most Caps (Games Played)

Updated 7 August 2021

Rank Name Tours Caps Position
1 Ireland Willie John McBride 1962–1974 17 Lock
2 England Dickie Jeeps 1955–1962 13 Scrum-half
3 Ireland Mike Gibson 1966–1971 12 Centre
Wales Graham Price 1977–1983 12 Prop
Wales Alun Wyn Jones 2009–2021 12 Lock
6 Wales R. H. Williams 1955–1959 10 Lock
Ireland Tony O'Reilly 1955–1959 10 Wing
Wales Gareth Edwards 1968–1974 10 Scrum-half
9 Ireland Syd Millar 1959–1968 9 Prop
Scotland Andy Irvine 1974–1980 9 Full-back

Most Points Scored

Updated 31 July 2021

Rank Name Tours Points Caps PPG Position
1 Scotland Gavin Hastings 1986–1993 69 7 9.85 Full-back
2 England Jonny Wilkinson 2001–2005 67 6 11.16 Fly-half
3 Wales Stephen Jones 2005–2009 53 6 8.83 Fly-half
4 Wales Leigh Halfpenny 2013–2017 49 4 12.25 Full-back
5 Wales Phil Bennett 1974–1977 44 8 5.50 Fly-half
6 Wales Neil Jenkins 1997–2001 41 4 10.25 Fly-half
7 Ireland Tom Kiernan 1962–1968 35 5 7.00 Full-back
8 England Owen Farrell 2013–2025 34 7 5.66 Fly-half
9 Scotland Stewart Wilson 1966 30 5 6.00 Full-back
Wales Barry John 1968–1971 30 5 6.00 Fly-half

Most Tries (Touchdowns)

Updated 31 July 2021

Rank Name Tours Tries Caps TPG Position
1 Ireland Tony O'Reilly 1955–1959 6 10 0.60 Wing
2 Wales J. J. Williams 1974–1977 5 7 0.71 Wing
3 Wales Willie Llewellyn 1904 4 4 1.00 Wing
Wales Malcolm Price 1959 4 6 0.66 Centre
4 Scotland Alf Bucher 1899 3 3 1.00 Wing
England Jack Spoors 1910 3 3 1.00 Full-back
England Carl Aarvold 1930 3 5 0.60 Centre
England Jeff Butterfield 1955 3 4 0.75 Centre
Wales Ken Jones 1962–1966 3 6 0.50 Centre
Wales Gerald Davies 1968–1971 3 5 0.60 Wing

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Leones Británicos e Irlandeses para niños

  • List of British & Irish Lions test matches
  • Rugby union in the British Isles