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.

We made All Blacks respect us, here’s hoping Gatland’s men can do the same

4 June 2017 1 comment

1971 legend John Taylor returns to NZ for The Rugby Paper Aggression: John Taylor attacks the All Blacks in 1971 The flight out to New […]

When brutality stalked Lions in Canterbury

4 June 2017 0 comments

Brendan Gallagher hopes that the Crusaders opt not to follow the thuggish style of their forebears In the thick of it: Willie John McBryde These […]

…but booze and travelling took toll in Auckland

4 June 2017 0 comments

Meanwhile, on the North Island, Lions’ wounds were often self-inflicted reveals Brendan Gallagher Hero: Ronan O’Gara’s late penalty saved the Lions in 2005 The current […]

Murray has a mental edge after Soldier Field mugging

4 June 2017 1 comment

NICK CAIN finds Conor Murray in battle mode as the All Blacks tormentor looks to make his mark CONOR Murray is odds-on favourite to be […]

Gardener Sam makes Lions look weedy in tour opener

4 June 2017 1 comment

From NICK CAIN at Toll Stadium, Whangarei Pick of the pack: Taulupe Faletau charges forward FIRED-UP country boys, home town referees, jet-lag, lack of preparation […]

Faletau’s the clear pick of a sub-standard side

4 June 2017 0 comments

Physical: Alun-Wyn Jones PICTURE: Getty Images NICK CAIN’S LIONS RATINGS 1. JOE MARLER Did not seize the initiative in the scrum or in the loose, […]

How come the back row didn’t suffer jet-lag?

4 June 2017 1 comment

OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE…EVERY WEEK JEREMYGUSCOTT Will and commitment: Ross Moriarty THE post-match interviews from Warren Gatland and his players were just about palatable – they […]

As dress rehearsels go, this was far better than mob of 1971

4 June 2017 2 comments

BRENDAN GALLAGHER BRENDAN GALLAGHER VERDICT Oustanding condition: Kyle Sinckler The opening matches of Lions tours are hurdles to be cleared not mountains to climb and […]

James Haskell on track for a Hollywood ending!

2 June 2017 0 comments

Lions tours usually include a fairytale story along the way and Welsh legend Scott Quinnell reckons the 2017 version will have James Haskell in the […]

Farrell is Lions’ key man, not Sexton

2 June 2017 0 comments

Permutations for the Lions back line are pretty extensive but Owen Farrell must be given a jersey regardless of the number, says Will Greenwood. With […]

All Blacks will need big guns firing – Franks

16 May 2017 0 comments

Double World Cup-winning Kiwi prop Ben Franks reckons the array of “world-class” talent within the Lions ranks, led by the indomitable Maro Itoje, will ensure […]

Te’o warns Farrell: I’m aiming to be a starter

10 May 2017 0 comments

Ben Te’o has warned fellow British & Lions No.12 hopefuls Owen Farrell and Robbie Henshaw he aims to be a starter during the three-Test series […]

EXCLUSIVE: Lions snub ‘gutted’ me admits an angry Brown

9 May 2017 0 comments

Raging England full-back Mike Brown has vowed to take out his frustrations on Argentina after revealing his anger at Warren Gatland‘s Lions snub. Combative Brown […]

Injured Lions’ Players Should Have Time on the Field

9 May 2017 0 comments

Getting injured in any sport means time on the sidelines. It’s frustrating for the player, his teammates, and even the fans. So what happens when they begin healing?

McGeechan: Lions have quality to win

6 May 2017 0 comments

No one speaks with more authority and knowledge about the British & Irish Lions than Sir Ian McGeechan, who was head coach a record four […]

Only way to beat the All Blacks is all out attack – Robbie Fruean

5 May 2017 0 comments

As a proud Kiwi, Robbie Fruean would never bet against the All Blacks, but he reckons their downfall against the Lions this summer could come […]

Hartley’s Lions hopes ‘were stifled by Saints’

3 May 2017 0 comments

Dylan Hartley‘s failure to win a Lions call had its roots in Northampton‘s restricted game plan, according to former England and Saints hooker Andy Long. […]

Billy and I can mix it up in back row says Faletau

28 April 2017 0 comments

Taulupe Faletau insists he will have no qualms switching to flanker for the Lions if it means starting alongside his cousin and No.8 rival, Billy […]

All-rounder Farrell reminds McCaw of legend Carter

20 April 2017 0 comments

Richie McCaw believes Owen Farrell is turning into a Northern Hemisphere version of Dan Carter. McCaw, a double World Cup-winning captain, was on the wrong […]

Cole: Challenge of Sinckler forcing me to be a better player

19 April 2017 0 comments

England stalwart Dan Cole reckons the sound of thundering heels from young tight-head pretender Kyle Sinckler will ensure he never drops his guard in the […]

Young: Gold standard Launchbury a Lions must

18 April 2017 0 comments

Dai Young would be “hugely disappointed” to see Joe Launchbury left out of the Lions squad tomorrow and he reckons Wasps could have a big […]

Evans: These backs can test my All Blacks

14 April 2017 0 comments

Harlequins fly-half Nick Evans never bets against the All Blacks, but the Kiwi strategist reckons he can name a British & Irish Lions backline combination […]

Only question is, which tour will Denny be on?

5 April 2017 0 comments

Denny Solomona would be a more than useful weapon in the Lions armoury if Warren Gatland was to make him his left-field pick to go […]

Farrell would make a great leader of Lions says Mako

31 March 2017 0 comments

Mako Vunipola reckons ‘world-class’ Owen Farrell would make a fantastic job of captaining the British & Irish Lions in New Zealand this summer should Warren […]

Twickenham rout ‘will cost Scots their Lions places’

29 March 2017 0 comments

Former Scotland lock Jim Hamilton fears his countrymen’s 62-21 Six Nations thrashing by England has dashed any hope of significant Lions representation this summer. Improved […]

Lions ban clubs from using their branding

28 March 2017 0 comments

The Lions are not making friends among the broader rugby community as their commercial team prevent other clubs from ‘unofficial’ use of the Lions name. […]

Door ajar for Kruis to play his way into Lions contention

20 March 2017 0 comments

Warren Gatland says it is not too late for George Kruis to force his way into Lions reckoning for this summer’s tour to New Zealand. […]

Farrell can lead Lions like Johnno says Telfer

21 February 2017 0 comments

Owen Farrell has emerged as a candidate to captain the Lions this summer according to one of the game’s most revered figures. Jim Telfer, a […]

All Black prop stocks are looking bare warns John Afoa

3 February 2017 0 comments

Former All Blacks prop John Afoa believes New Zealand’s front row is vulnerable – and that the state of propping in England is better than […]

Top drawer Elliot Daly worth Lions call

2 February 2017 0 comments

Elliot Daly’s versatility must see the Wasps midfielder rocket into Lions contention for this summer’s tour of New Zealand, says Harlequins head coach Mark Mapletoft. […]

Adam Jones tips Kyle Sinckler as a bolter for the Lions

13 January 2017 0 comments

British & Irish Lions legend Adam Jones reckons dynamic Harlequins tighthead Kyle Sinckler can force his way to the front of the queue to fill […]

Putting Carter in the shade sends Russell into the spotlight for Lions

6 January 2017 0 comments

Glasgow head coach Gregor Townsend reckons Finn Russell’s big-match temperament will thrust him into the spotlight when it comes to British & Irish Lions fly-half […]

Kruis will keep his foot down in quest to be Borthwick’s man Down Under

15 December 2016 0 comments

British & Lions hopeful George Kruis is adamant there will be no favouritism from Steve Borthwick despite his former Saracens colleague’s elevation to the coaching […]

Stuart Hogg’s leading Scottish charge for Lions places

9 December 2016 0 comments

Full-back Stuart Hogg is leading a charge that could see eight top Scots push for places on next summer’s Lions tour to New Zealand, according […]

Ford and Farrell can be Lions’ axis to halt All Blacks

29 November 2016 0 comments

The ultra-successful George Ford/Owen Farrell midfield axis could be the Lions special weapon against New Zealand says former Red Rose fly-half Alex King. The peerless […]

Lions await as Jonathan Joseph adds leadership to skill set

21 October 2016 0 comments

Jonathan Joseph’s emergence as a forceful leader in attack and defence will thrust him into pole position for the No.13 jersey on next summer’s British […]

Danny Care is on Lions mission

17 September 2016 0 comments

Danny Care is hoping to make it third time lucky as he targets a place on the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand […]

Lions set for biggest pay-day in their history

14 September 2016 0 comments

The Lions stand to make as much as £80,000-a-man in New Zealand next year if they beat the All Blacks for the first time since […]

Lions tour schedule crazy says hero Fran Cotton

7 September 2016 0 comments

The Lions schedule in New Zealand next year has been condemned as ‘crazy’ by the only Englishman to win a Test series as both player […]

England coaches in frame for Lions

3 August 2016 0 comments

England will make Grand Slam coaches Steve Borthwick and Paul Gustard available for the Lions in New Zealand next year. Eddie Jones is understood to […]

Lions Tour: Nick Cain selects his starting XV

15 July 2016 0 comments

ONE of the messages for the 2017 Lions that reverberates loudest from the 2016 England tour of Australia was don’t write yourself off with a […]

Dylan Hartley can challenge captain Sam Warburton says Fran Cotton

5 July 2016 0 comments

Dylan Hartley‘s conversion from serial offender into a challenger to Sam Warburton as Lions captain is given a ringing endorsement today by one of the […]

Wales look for Warren Gatland stand-in as Lions wait

3 May 2016 0 comments

Warren Gatland‘s almost certain invitation to lead the Lions has led Wales to make the first move towards appointing a caretaker head coach. Eddie Jones‘ […]

Lions Tour 2017: Schedule threatens to undermine pinnacle

12 November 2015 0 comments

Lack of prep time and finals of Premiership and Pro12 could prove major blunder in the face of rugby’s biggest test, argues Nick Cain

Nick Cain picks his new Lions team from the evidence of the Six Nations championship

27 March 2014 1 comment

Selecting a 2014 Lions side confirms more than anything just how long a year in rugby can be. If the Lions were bound for New […]

British & Irish Lions beat Australia to claim first series in 16 years

6 July 2013 0 comments

The British & Irish Lions have won their first Test Series in 16 years after a 41-16 thumping of Australia in Sydney. Lead from the […]

Lion Leigh Halfpenny ‘could be explosive like Israel Folau’

4 July 2013 0 comments

The man who gave George North his scything sidestep and Israel Folau his kangaroo kick believes Leigh Halfpenny combines the best both of both, claiming […]

Roberts returns but BOD dropped for Lions in Series decider

3 July 2013 1 comment

Warren Gatland has dropped Brian O’Driscoll from his British & Irish Lions matchday squad ahead of the Series decider against Australia on Saturday. The Irish […]

Australia beat British & Irish Lions to set up Sydney decider

29 June 2013 0 comments

Rookie Christian Lealiifano kicked a last-gasp conversion for Australia as they leveled the series against the British & Irish Lions with a 16-15 win in […]

British & Irish Lions keep Melbourne Rebels scoreless

25 June 2013 1 comment

Despite an average performance, The British & Irish Lions have won their last midweek game on tour beating the Melbourne Rebels 35-0 at AAMI Park. […]

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