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.

Rampaging Lions breathe fresh life into their quest

11 June 2017 0 comments

From NICK CAIN at AMI Stadium Christchurch THE 2017 Lions have found their road to resurrection. Under growing pressure to deliver, the players and coaches […]

Magnificent Mako leads the Christchurch charge

11 June 2017 1 comment

Outstanding: Mako Vunipola PICTURE: Getty Images NICK CAIN’S LIONS RATINGS 1. MAKO VUNIPOLA Immense work-rate. Top tackler with 11, overshadowed Crusaders props bar one scrum […]

Farrell has become Mr VIP for the Lions

11 June 2017 0 comments

OWEN Farrell is the embodiment of the ‘all for one, one for all’ ethos that is the foundation for winning Lions tours, and also for […]

Love him, loathe him, Sonny Bill is deadly

11 June 2017 0 comments

John Taylor, one of the 1971 Lions heroes, looks at the way Sonny Bill Williams divides NZ New Zealanders are still not sure about Sonny […]

Iron-man Meades goes bronze

11 June 2017 1 comment

SIR Colin Meads, the great All Black lock voted as New Zealand’s Player of the Century in the 1999 NZRFU Awards, is being honoured during […]

PUB TALK

11 June 2017 0 comments

Breakfast in the local… a light-hearted look at how the Lions unite the country It was Wander Woman, not Gal Gadot, you understand, but a […]

This rugby’s not so Super

11 June 2017 0 comments

ONE of the benefits of playing in a Super Rugby competition in which there is no price to pay for losing – because there is […]

Liam bounced back in champion style

11 June 2017 1 comment

SHANE WILLIAMS Up and down week: Liam Williams PICTURES: Getty Images LIAM WILLIAMS’ week summed up life as a professional rugby player. One moment you’re […]

Te’o can fit that Gatland mould as a big No.12

11 June 2017 0 comments

OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE…EVERY WEEK JEREMYGUSCOTT IT was crucial for the Lions to bounce back and get the victory yesterday and it was telling how the […]

Furlong: I’ve dreamt of this since nappies

11 June 2017 0 comments

HAVING had to wait until the third game of the tour to get the ball rolling, Ireland tighthead Tadgh Furlong was thrilled to be able […]

Boring? Reality is Lions will have to chisel out the wins like ‘71

11 June 2017 0 comments

COMMENT BRENDAN GALLAGHER Happy camp followers: Lions fans When you are surrounded by hype and experts real or selfappointed – as you are 24/7 on […]

Sloppy Lions must learn their lessons – and quickly

11 June 2017 1 comment

From NICK CAIN in Auckland THE Lions snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in their second outing against an eminently beatable Blues outfit, leaving […]

’Punch in the face’ can be blessing in disguise

11 June 2017 0 comments

CJ STANDER believes the loss to the Blues could be the “punch in the face” the tourists need to kick start their tour of New […]

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 […]

REPORT: Lions suffer 22-16 defeat against the Blues at Eden Park

7 June 2017 0 comments

The Lions suffered their first defeat of their tour of New Zealand as a late Ihaia West try handed the Blues a famous 22-16 win at […]

Big doubts over Dane Coles’ chances of featuring in Lions series

6 June 2017 0 comments

Dane Coles appears unlikely to feature for All Blacks during the British & Irish Lions tour, claims Hurricanes assistant coach John Plumtree. The New Zealand […]

‘If people can’t put it behind them they never will’ says Umaga on 2005 BOD spear tackle

5 June 2017 0 comments

Twelve years on from the spear tackle which ended Brian O’Driscoll’s Lions tour to New Zealand, Blues head coach Tana Umaga has faced questions over […]

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 […]

PUB TALK

4 June 2017 0 comments

Breakfast in the local… a light-hearted look at how the Lions unite the country Across the country yesterday, they arrived in their new red shirts, […]

Hogg didn’t shine, now Liam must have a go

4 June 2017 0 comments

WALES AND LIONS LEGEND SHANE WILLIAMS THE FIRST game of this Lions tour was always going to be a challenge, but it shouldn’t have been […]

Faletau refusing to take the bait from Zinzan criticism

4 June 2017 1 comment

Advice: Dad Kuli LIONS No.8 Taulupe Faletau says he will listen to only the few opinions that count after Kiwi legend Zinzan Brooke claimed the […]

Now I’m backing dad says Gatland junior

4 June 2017 0 comments

BRYN GATLAND reckons the Provincial Barbarians earned the Lions’ respect after pushing them close in the tour opener yesterday. The fly-half, son of Lions boss […]

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 […]

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. […]

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