British & Irish Lions facts for kids

British & Irish Lions

Unions	Rugby Football Union Irish Rugby Football Union Scottish Rugby Union Welsh Rugby Union
Founded	1888; 137 years ago (1888)
Coach(es)	Andy Farrell (2025)
Captain(s)	Maro Itoje (2025)
Most caps	Willie John McBride (17)
Top scorer	Gavin Hastings (69)
Most tries	Tony O'Reilly (6)
Team kit
First match
Otago 3–8 Shaw & Shrewsbury Team (28 April 1888)
Largest win
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
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

Jersey Changes Over Time

1888

1891–1896

1899–1904

1908

1910–1938

1950–present

Team Squad

History of the Lions Tours

Early Tours (1888–1909)

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.

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

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.

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

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	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	Robert Seddon Andrew Stoddart	Alfred Shaw Arthur Shrewsbury	No Test matches played
1891	South Africa	Bill Maclagan	Edwin Ash	Arthur Rotherham, 4	Won	3–0
1896	South Africa	Johnny Hammond Thomas Crean	Roger Walker	J. F. Byrne, 12	Won	3–1
1899	Australia	Matthew Mullineux Frank Stout	Matthew Mullineux	Charlie Adamson, 17	Won	3–1
1903	South Africa	Mark Morrison	Johnny Hammond	John Gillespie, 4	Lost	0–1–2
1904	Australia and New Zealand	David Bedell-Sivright Teddy Morgan	Arthur O'Brien	Percy Bush, 20	Won Lost	3–0 (Australia) 0–1 (New Zealand)
1908	New Zealand and Australia	Arthur Harding	George Harnett	Reggie Gibbs, 3 Jack Jones, 3	Lost	0–2–1 (NZ) No tests against Australia
1910	South Africa	Tommy Smyth Jack Jones	William Cail Walter E. Rees	Jack Spoors, 9	Lost	1–2
1910	Argentina	John Raphael	R.V. Stanley	Harold Monks, 10 (no test caps awarded)	Won	1–0
1924	South Africa	Ronald Cove-Smith	Harry Packer	Tom Voyce, 6	Lost	0–3–1
1927	Argentina	David MacMyn	James Baxter	Ernie Hammett, 40 (no test caps awarded)	Won	4–0
1930	New Zealand and Australia	Doug Prentice Carl Aarvold	James Baxter	Carl Aarvold, 9	Lost Lost	1–3 (New Zealand) 0–1 (Australia)
1936	Argentina	Bernard Gadney	Doug Prentice	John Brett, 7 (no test caps awarded)	Won	1–0
1938	South Africa	Sam Walker	Major B.C. Hartley	Vivian Jenkins, 9	Lost	1–2
1950	New Zealand and Australia	Karl Mullen Bleddyn Williams	Leslie B. Osborne	Lewis Jones, 26	Lost Won	0–3–1 (NZ) 2–0 (Australia)
1955	South Africa	Robin Thompson Cliff Morgan	Jack Siggins	Jeff Butterfield, 12	Tied	2–2
1959	Australia and New Zealand	Ronnie Dawson	O. B. Glasgow	David Hewitt, 16	Won Lost	2–0 (Australia) 1–3 (New Zealand)
1962	South Africa	Arthur Smith Dickie Jeeps	Harry McKibbin	John Willcox, 5	Lost	0–3–1
1966	Australia and New Zealand	David Watkins Mike Campbell-Lamerton	John Robins	Stewart Wilson, 30	Won Lost	2–0 (Australia) 0–4 (New Zealand)
1968	South Africa	Tom Kiernan	Ronnie Dawson	Tom Kiernan, 35	Lost	0–3–1
1971	New Zealand	John Dawes	Carwyn James	Barry John, 30	Won	2–1–1
1974	South Africa	Willie John McBride	Syd Millar	Phil Bennett, 26	Won	3–0–1
1977	New Zealand	Phil Bennett	John Dawes	Phil Bennett, 18	Lost	1–3
1980	South Africa	Bill Beaumont	Noel Murphy	Tony Ward, 18	Lost	1–3
1983	New Zealand	Ciaran Fitzgerald	Jim Telfer	Ollie Campbell, 15	Lost	0–4
1989	Australia	Finlay Calder	Ian McGeechan	Gavin Hastings, 28	Won	2–1
1993	New Zealand	Gavin Hastings	Ian McGeechan	Gavin Hastings, 38	Lost	1–2
1997	South Africa	Martin Johnson	Ian McGeechan	Neil Jenkins, 41	Won	2–1
2001	Australia	Martin Johnson	Graham Henry	Jonny Wilkinson, 36	Lost	1–2
2005	New Zealand	Brian O'Driscoll Gareth Thomas	Clive Woodward	Stephen Jones, 14	Lost	0–3
2009	South Africa	Paul O'Connell	Ian McGeechan	Stephen Jones, 39	Lost	1–2
2013	Australia	Sam Warburton Alun Wyn Jones	Warren Gatland	Leigh Halfpenny, 49	Won	2–1
2017	New Zealand	Sam Warburton Peter O'Mahony	Warren Gatland	Owen Farrell, 31	Tied	1–1–1
2021	South Africa	Alun Wyn Jones	Warren Gatland	Dan Biggar, 23	Lost	1–2
2025	Australia	Maro Itoje	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	Willie John McBride	1962–1974	17	Lock
2	Dickie Jeeps	1955–1962	13	Scrum-half
3	Mike Gibson	1966–1971	12	Centre
	Graham Price	1977–1983	12	Prop
	Alun Wyn Jones	2009–2021	12	Lock
6	R. H. Williams	1955–1959	10	Lock
	Tony O'Reilly	1955–1959	10	Wing
	Gareth Edwards	1968–1974	10	Scrum-half
9	Syd Millar	1959–1968	9	Prop
	Andy Irvine	1974–1980	9	Full-back

Most Points Scored

Updated 31 July 2021

Rank	Name	Tours	Points	Caps	PPG	Position
1	Gavin Hastings	1986–1993	69	7	9.85	Full-back
2	Jonny Wilkinson	2001–2005	67	6	11.16	Fly-half
3	Stephen Jones	2005–2009	53	6	8.83	Fly-half
4	Leigh Halfpenny	2013–2017	49	4	12.25	Full-back
5	Phil Bennett	1974–1977	44	8	5.50	Fly-half
6	Neil Jenkins	1997–2001	41	4	10.25	Fly-half
7	Tom Kiernan	1962–1968	35	5	7.00	Full-back
8	Owen Farrell	2013–2025	34	7	5.66	Fly-half
9	Stewart Wilson	1966	30	5	6.00	Full-back
	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	Tony O'Reilly	1955–1959	6	10	0.60	Wing
2	J. J. Williams	1974–1977	5	7	0.71	Wing
3	Willie Llewellyn	1904	4	4	1.00	Wing
	Malcolm Price	1959	4	6	0.66	Centre
4	Alf Bucher	1899	3	3	1.00	Wing
	Jack Spoors	1910	3	3	1.00	Full-back
	Carl Aarvold	1930	3	5	0.60	Centre
	Jeff Butterfield	1955	3	4	0.75	Centre
	Ken Jones	1962–1966	3	6	0.50	Centre
	Gerald Davies	1968–1971	3	5	0.60	Wing

See also

In Spanish: Leones Británicos e Irlandeses para niños

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