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Famous five British Lions' Roll of Honor
Five British Lions sides have enjoyed success against southern hemisphere opposition since the 1955 team drew their four-test series in South Africa. 1955, South Africa 2-2: One of the most glamorous Lions teams ever assembled featured the flame-haired Tony O'Reilly on the wing, Jeff Butterfield in midfield and Cliff Morgan at flyhalf. It also proved one of the most successful, fully deserving a drawn series against a side at the stage regarded as invincible on home turf. 1971, New Zealand 2-1 (one draw): The start of a golden era for British rugby. Peerless Irish center Mike Gibson, the incomparable Barry John at flyhalf complemented by fullback JPR Williams and scrumhalf Gareth Edwards won the plaudits. But even the best backline ever assembled could not have prevailed had it had not been for a pack, headed by the giant Ulsterman Willie-John McBride, who matched the fearsome All Blacks in every phase. 1974, South Africa 3-0 (one draw): McBride was now captain and his fellow forwards, notably the late Gordon Brown, and the fiercely competitive Fergus Slattery ruled supreme. Even the second string pack was world class and Edwards was indisputably the best scrumhalf around as the Lions went through the entire tour unbeaten. 1989, Australia 2-1: The Lions' fate seemed sealed when they lost the first test 30-12. They trailed 12-9 with five minutes to play in the second test in Brisbane before fullback Gavin Hastings and center Jeremy Guscott ran in tries. In the deciding test the Lions forwards, with England's Brian Moore, Paul Ackford, Mike Teague and Dean Richards at their heart, were magnificent although it took a moment of madness from Australia wing David Campese to gift the visitors the decisive try. 1997, South Africa 2-1: Guscott was again a match-winner with a dropped goal in Durban to give the Lions an unbeatable 2-0 series lead. England lock Martin Johnson was a doughty leader of the first professional Lions side, who restored British and Irish credibility after a poor 1995 World Cup for the four home nations.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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