The Ultimate British & Irish XV of All Time: Forward of Australia tour, who makes the in the reduction of?

As excitement builds for the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, fans are bracing for another chapter in rugby union’s most iconic travelling crew. The Lions – comprising the most attention-grabbing avid gamers from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales – are build to face Argentina and Australia in what guarantees to be a fiercely contested tour.

In their final ride back and forth in 2021, the Lions travelled to South Africa for a bruising series in opposition to the world champions. The Lions took the first Test in Cape Town, with standout performances from Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes, but had been edged out in the next two fits that went the methodology of the Springboks.

Having a stare ahead to 2025, the Lions will see revenge in Australia – a nation they famously defeated 2-1 in 2013, with George North’s superhuman tries and Leigh Halfpenny’s kicking masterclass. 

Right here is Sports Mole’s Ultimate Lions XV of All Time, a crew forged from legends who delivered on rugby’s grandest stage.

British & Irish Lions XV: Reduction Three 

15. Rob Kearney (Ireland)

Rob Kearney’s performance in the 2nd Test in opposition to South Africa is one of the most attention-grabbing in Lions’ historical previous. From his early are trying and defusing every aerial assault the Boks launched his methodology, he used to be close to flawless. A grasp under the excessive ball and tranquil in the chaos, Kearney’s 2009 exploits build a popular few beefy-backs have reached.

14. George North (Wales) 

At upright 21, George North exploded onto the Lions scene in 2013. His series-defining scurry in the 2nd Test in opposition to Australia, lifting Israel Folau mid-model out, grew to turn out to be phase of Lions folklore. Raw tempo, energy and an gaze for the are trying line made him unstoppable.

11. Jason Robinson (England)

A rugby league convert who took union by storm, Jason Robinson’s sidestepping wizardry used to be electrical. On his Lions debut, he lit up the 2001 series, scoring in the opening minutes of the first Test, while proving unstoppable on the shatter. 

British & Irish Lions XV: Midfield

13. Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)

Brian O’Driscoll is arguably the biggest centre in rugby historical previous. From his honest solo are trying in Brisbane in 2001 to his enduring leadership across four excursions, ‘BOD’ used to be the heartbeat of the Lions backline, together with his legacy built on braveness and consistency. 

12. Scott Gibbs (Wales)

Scott Gibbs used to be a highly effective interior centre who consistently rose to the occasion and embodied uncooked physicality and skill. His 1997 tour heroics incorporated running over Os du Randt and punching holes in the Bok defence, incomes participant of the series. 

British & Irish Lions XV: Halves Pairing

10 . Johnny Sexton (Ireland)

The architect of the Lions’ 2013 series derive, Johnny Sexton’s chilly-headed decision-making, attacking imaginative and prescient and defensive tenacity made him vital. He used to be furthermore key in the 2017 drawn series in Contemporary Zealand, combining fluidly with Owen Farrell, who used to be furthermore really appropriate for the number 10 jumper.

9. Rob Howley (Wales)

Rob Howley mixed urge, imaginative and prescient and grit. He used to be a dynamic playmaker and heavenly kicker and used to be instrumental in orchestrating the Lions’ assault, particularly in the tightly contested 1997 series. 

British & Irish Lions XV: Quantity 8 and Second Row

8. Dean Richards (England) 

Dean Richards brought energy and brains to the Lions’ relieve row and used to be a genius at discovering out the game from the relieve of the pack. He will get our decide as a result of his sense of timing and expertise to govern the tempo, which made him one of the biggest number eights of his generation. 

7. Richard Hill (England) 

A workhorse and unsung hero, Richard Hill used to be the glue in the Lions’ relieve row, doing the soiled work that allowed others to shine. His absence in the 2nd Test in 2001 modified the direction of the series – a testomony to his impact. 

6. Mike Teague (England) 

Mike Teague used to be named participant of the series in 1989, and rightfully so, as he used to be the heartbeat of the Lions’ ahead effort. No longer easy, relentless and uncompromising, he played a very necessary characteristic in the Lions’ comeback series derive over Australia.

5. Paul O’Connell (Ireland)

A towering presence in every aspect – lineouts, defence, leadership – Paul O’Connell used to be the Lions’ soul in the pack across three excursions in 2005, 2009 & 2013. His consistency and competitive fire variety him an evident desire in the engine room. 

4. Martin Johnson (England)  – Captain

The handiest man to captain the Lions on two excursions, Martin Johnson epitomised energy and leadership. His 1997 captaincy used to be iconic, galvanising the aspect to an unforgettable series derive in South Africa. He featured in three consecutive Lions’ squads and used to be a colossus in every sense. 

British & Irish Lions XV: Front Row

3. Jason Leonard (England) 

The most life like doubtless-capped English prop and a flexible front-row stalwart who may well perhaps play all sides of the scrum, Jason Leonard turn out to be an purposeful asset to the Lions across three excursions. His experience and sturdiness are unmatched, making him a straightforward decide in the front line.

2. Keith Wood (Ireland)

Nicknamed “Uncle Fester,” Keith Wood revolutionised hooker play. Explosive in the loose and dynamic at build-pieces, his contribution all over the 1997 tour used to be pivotal in securing victory over the Boks. 

1. Tom Smith (Scotland)

At the open a surprise call-up in 1997, Tom Smith grew to turn out to be a Lions story, as he anchored the scrum and contributed around the park with rare mobility for a prop. He played all six Tests across his two excursions, which is a considerable testomony to his resilience and expertise. 

The Ultimate British & Irish XV of All Time 

15. Rob Kearney (Ireland)

14. George North (Wales) 

13. Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)

12. Scott Gibbs (Wales)

11. Jason Robinson (England)

10. Johnny Sexton (Ireland)

9. Rob Howley (Wales)

8. Dean Richards (England) 

7. Richard Hill (England) 

6. Mike Teague (England) 

5. Paul O’Connell (Ireland)

4. Martin Johnson (England) – Captain

3. Jason Leonard (England) 

2. Keith Wood (Ireland)

1. Tom Smith (Scotland)

The Lions are extra than a crew – they are a convention, a legacy, and a shared dream of four proud countries. This XV represents a mix of grit, flair, leadership and ancient performance under the fiercest stipulations. As we await the 2025 series, new heroes will for sure emerge – but this all-time Lions XV will consistently stand as a towering reminder of rugby at its most attention-grabbing.

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