British and Irish Lions

This is where you will find all of The Rugby Paper’s British and Irish Lions news, interviews, reports, opinion and other content.

Wayne’s way has made the All Blacks better people

2 July 2017 0 comments

John Taylor, the 1971 Lions flanker, speaks to Wayne Smith, the coach who makes the All Blacks tick in defence and attack Wayne Smith could […]

For once Barrett didn’t walk on water!

2 July 2017 0 comments

THE Lions certainly got lucky but who cares. They kept New Zealand tryless for the first time since 2014 and eventually found the belief to […]

One match to go, and these Lions could end up legends

2 July 2017 0 comments

A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME JEFF PROBYN With the mid-week games over and just one game to go, I am already suffering from […]

So what next to save Lions from being an anachronism?

2 July 2017 0 comments

Brendan Gallagher looks at how the Lions could reinvent themselves in the coming seasons THE British and Irish Lions need to bite the bullet and […]

When the Lions roamed the Pampas

2 July 2017 0 comments

The Lions staged three tours to Argentina in the early days before giving up on the idea. The 1910 tour was essentially an English invitation […]

FULL-TIME: Yellow Lions forced to settle for draw in Wellington

27 June 2017 0 comments

A late yellow card to Iain Henderson cost the British and Irish Lions in Wellington this morning as they were forced to concede a 31-31 […]

Pub talk

25 June 2017 1 comment

Breakfast in the local…a light-hearted look at how the Lions unite the country Well, it all started so brightly. The replica Lions shirts were proudly […]

Hansen’s shrewd selection nullified Gatland’s attacking options

25 June 2017 1 comment

BRENDAN GALLAGHER VERDICT Epitomy of world class: Kieran Read They are clever beggars these New Zealanders. They out-thought as well as outplayed the Lions yesterday […]

Lions need to get to rescue series in North firing Wellington

25 June 2017 0 comments

SHANE WILLIAMS WALES AND LIONS LEGEND THERE WILL be some Lions fans who didn’t watch Wales in New Zealand last summer. For those who did, […]

Greatest of them all still battling like a true champion

25 June 2017 0 comments

John Taylor John Taylor, the 1971 Lions flanker, meets up with his old sparring partner, the great Colin Meads Te Kuiti has not changed much […]

Lions back row has become a big concern

25 June 2017 1 comment

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen usually makes a point of talking about team performance, seldom picking out individuals but last night he made an […]

Caging these Lions would be vandalism

25 June 2017 1 comment

READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK NICK CAIN AUCKLAND was awash with red this week as thousands of Lions fans arrived here for the Test […]

Marty’s on the money after Siberia

25 June 2017 1 comment

MARTY ‘Money’ Banks, the replacement fly-half who became a local hero when he kicked the winning penalty for the Highlanders against the Lions, is one […]

Fans are priced out of first Test

25 June 2017 0 comments

IT was not surprising that there were still spare seats for last night’s New Zealand v Lions Test opener at Eden Park with face value […]

Nifty Nowell nips in with two-try Test reminder

25 June 2017 1 comment

From NICK CAIN at FMG Stadium, Hamilton JACK Nowell was in full flow for the Lions, with the Exeter and England wing grabbing two of […]

Gatland glad to see his finishers find form

25 June 2017 0 comments

RORY Best was a happy man after leading the Lions to their biggest victory of the tour so far. After two defeats in as many […]

I hit 22 stone says Buck, then I got healthy again

25 June 2017 0 comments

Nick Cain Nick Cain catches up with All Blacks legend and former Northampton back row Buck Shelford BUCK Shelford is one of New Zealand’s great […]

Shelford: Haka is part of our identity

25 June 2017 0 comments

BUCK Shelford’s views on the haka and its place in New Zealand society are as straightforward as they were when he and Hika Reid, the […]

When Lions whipped

25 June 2017 0 comments

The Lions King: Barry John up storm in windy city The Lions head to Wellington to play the Hurricanes on Tuesday followed by the second […]

…and came off ropes to land knockout

25 June 2017 0 comments

The third Test at Wellington was billed as the game when the All Blacks would put the Lions away. The tourists had been much better […]

Lions have seven days to bridge the killer gaps

25 June 2017 1 comment

From NICK CAIN at Eden Park, Auckland THE gap between New Zealand and the Lions was never of Grand Canyon proportions in this series opener. […]

Davies shows they can be breached

25 June 2017 2 comments

Class: Jonathan Davies tore New Zealand open when he got quick ball PICTURE: Getty Images NICK CAIN’S RATINGS 1. MAKO VUNIPOLA Great footballer and much-improved […]

It’s a huge ask, but Lions can bounce back like us in ‘93

25 June 2017 1 comment

JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE…EVERY WEEK Skills of a centre: Brodie Retallick I WOULD love to think that this 2017 vintage can replicate what we […]

O’Mahony to lead Lions against All Blacks

22 June 2017 0 comments

Peter O’Mahony will captain the British & Irish Lions against New Zealand in the first Test in Auckland on Saturday. Ireland flanker O’Mahony, who led […]

REPORT: Sensational tries help the Lions beat the Chiefs in Hamilton

20 June 2017 0 comments

The British and Irish Lions will go into the Test Series against the All Blacks on the back of two convincing wins as they thumped […]

I understand fury over late call-ups

18 June 2017 0 comments

SHANE WILLIAMS WALES AND LIONS LEGEND Kept quiet: Nehe Milner-Skudder PICTURES: Getty Images First things first. This was a fine Lions display and their best […]

Sexton: I’m happy to get my mojo back

18 June 2017 0 comments

JOHNNY SEXTON spoke about his improved form after the Lions victory over the Maori. “The Barbarians game was tough because we arrived on the Wednesday […]

Dirt-trackers destroyed at death as pack malfunctions

18 June 2017 1 comment

From NICK CAIN at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Highlanders 23pts Tries: Naholo 26, Coltman 60 Conversions: Sopoaga 27, Banks 62 Penalties: Sopoaga 5, 50, Banks […]

Ref was wrong on penalties insists Sinckler

18 June 2017 1 comment

KYLE SINCKLER questioned how referee Angus Gardner decided the Highlanders had gained a dominance in the scrum that brought the two match-deciding penalties. Sinckler departed […]

Lions can cut All Blacks warp speed down to slow motion

18 June 2017 0 comments

Nick Cain says the Lions CAN beat the All Blacks – and this is the way to do it on Saturday THE Lions know what […]

Long-distance runner Webb can be lethal off the bench

18 June 2017 0 comments

Legs and lungs: Super-fit Rhys Webb RHYS Webb says he is in the shape of his life. That is just as well, because he will […]

Get ready for the fireworks …and some dubious calls!

18 June 2017 2 comments

BRENDAN GALLAGHER sets the scene for next week’s Test opener with a tour through the ages Experience shows us there is nothing quite like the […]

It’s a long old unbeaten run at Eden Park

18 June 2017 1 comment

NEW ZEALANDhave played 37 Tests at Eden Park over the course of 23 years since they last lost there – the famous occasion when Luc […]

Sam’s still main man for me says Kronfeld

18 June 2017 0 comments

From ALEX BYWATER in New Zealand Finding form: Sam Warburton PICTURES: Getty Images FORMER All Black openside star Josh Kronfeld believes Sam Warburton must start […]

Mauger thanks Lions for mentoring Kiwi fans

18 June 2017 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE Best about: Lions fans in full voice AS the army of Lions fans continues to swell, former All Black Aaron Mauger has […]

End this aimless kicking, Zinzan tells Gat

18 June 2017 2 comments

By GARY FRITZGERALD Advice: Zinzan Brooke ZINZAN Brooke has warned the Lions they will be smashed by the All Blacks if they continue to be […]

Great eight rule in the rain as Lions get confidence lift

18 June 2017 0 comments

From NICK CAIN at Rotorua International Stadium Maori All Blacks 10pts Try: Messam 12 Conversion: McKenzie 13 Penalty: McKenzie 22 British & Irish Lions 32pts […]

Can these Lions move the world like Telfer?

18 June 2017 1 comment

Pressure situations: Steve Borthwick works with the Lions forwards THERE is no greater psychological weapon in Rugby Union than wrecking the opposition scrum. Smashing through […]

Scots have every right to be riled by Gatland

18 June 2017 1 comment

WARREN Gatland has walked into a tornado of recrimination after his decision to call up four Wales players into the Lions squad. The incomers include […]

Warburton can still lead in first Test

18 June 2017 0 comments

John Taylor, the 1971 Lions openside, casts his expert eye over Warren Gatland’s back row options The front page of the New Zealand Herald on […]

Lions must learn how to ‘walk in’ those try chances

18 June 2017 0 comments

Will start: George North has no real challenger at present JEREMYGUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE…EVERY WEEK Guscott Lions Test team: Halfpenny; Watson, Davies, Te’o, North; Sexton, […]

PUB TALK

18 June 2017 0 comments

Breakfast in the local… a light-hearted look at how the Lions unite the country It was at half time as the Lions led only 12-10 […]

O’Mahony set to get a battlefield commission as captain

18 June 2017 0 comments

Missed out: Jamie Heaslip BRENDAN GALLAGHER VERDICT Sport still has that irresistible ability to surprise. Three months ago, when England played Ireland in the Six […]

James Haskell – I’m not here to drink coffee

15 June 2017 0 comments

James Haskell is a Lion who, in his own words, “got in through the back door”, but after hearing him hold court in Christchurch this […]

Love him, loathe him, SBW is deadly – Lions legend John Taylor

14 June 2017 0 comments

New Zealanders are still not sure about Sonny Bill Williams. Mention his name and, immediately, you are guaranteed a reaction – he polarises opinion like […]

REPORT: Lions go down to the Highlanders in Dunedin

13 June 2017 0 comments

Marty Banks kicked a late penalty as the Lions have suffered their second defeat of their New Zealand tour going down 23-22 to the Highlanders […]

I’m restless as ever to achieve says Haskell. I’m not here to drink coffee

11 June 2017 1 comment

Nick Cain talks to James Haskell abut his ambition that burns so intensely to succeed for the Lions. Nick Cain JAMES Haskell is a Lion […]

Cruden ‘likely to be fit’ after medial strain

11 June 2017 0 comments

By SAM JACKSON Aaron Cruden in action against Hurricanes AARON Cruden will likely be available for the All Blacks Tests against the Lions, Chiefs coach […]

Play hard and party hard… the Maori way is so exciting!

11 June 2017 0 comments

Brendan Gallagher traces the history of the great Maori team the British Lions will face on Saturday. New Zealand Maori take on the Lions again […]

All Time Maori XV

11 June 2017 2 comments

1. Billy Bush William Kingita Te Pohe to give the Napier and Canterbury prop his full name. Wild looking, heavily bearded piratical figure and no […]

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