From The Vaults

21 April 2025

1899 Lions Scrapbook

In 1899 the Lions returned to Australia. The tourists were often keen diarists and scrapbookers, and this example by Guy Evers showcases his experiences on the 'Anglo-Australian' tour...

Showing Lions articles

Browse by

21 April 2025

1899 Lions Scrapbook

In 1899 the Lions returned to Australia. The tourists were often keen diarists and scrapbookers, and this example by Guy Evers showcases his experiences on the 'Anglo-Australian' tour...

11 April 2025

How a group of cricketers founded the British & Irish Lions

The following article is an extract from ‘The British & Irish Lions: The Official History 2025 Tour edition’.

13 January 2025

1891 Lions Tour

The 1891 Lions tour remains a landmark in the history and development of rugby union worldwide, coming at the beginning of a tumultuous decade for rugby in the northern hemisphere in which the growing threat of professional rugby became a reality...

10 June 2024

The Unsung Heroes of 1974

It's been 50 years since the British & Irish Lions undertook their politically controversial tour of South Africa, in the summer of 1974. The unbeaten tourists are largely remembered for their Test match success but this article shines the spotlight on the unsung heroes of the tour...

18 July 2023

Uncapped half backs in Lions tests 1891-1939

England has supplied some distinguished half backs to the ranks of British and Irish Lions in recent test series, but surprisingly there were relatively few capped English players selected for Lions test matches prior to 1939...

30 July 2021

Remembering the Aston brothers and the 1891 Lions

Randolph Littleton Aston was the elder of two brothers who occupy a significant place in 19th century rugby history...

12 July 2021

1971 Lions march on in New Zealand

Fresh from their victory in Dunedin, the Lions moved on to Invercargill to play Southland in mid-week. Their main injury worries focused around Gareth Edwards and his ability to play in the second test a fortnight later.

05 July 2021

Sunderland Man’s British Lions Links Examined in Timely Biography

Sunderland RFC has every right to be proud of its history. Founded as Sunderland Football Club in 1873, its formation is linked strongly to that of the Rugby Football Union two years earlier.

26 June 2021

Lions Victorious in Carisbrook, 1971

On this day 50 years ago, the British & Irish Lions took to the field at Carisbrook to face the All-Blacks...

12 May 2021

The 1971 British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand

On 15th May 1971, the British and Irish Lions began their tour of Australia and New Zealand. Barney Burnham reports on the tour from a tent in Henley-on-Thames...

28 September 2020

The 1910 British & Irish Lions tour of Argentina

In 1910 the British and Irish Lions toured Argentina for the first time. Under the captaincy of John Raphael, they contested Los Pumas first international test-match.

18 November 2019

Lion of the RAF

Extracts from ‘Lion of the RAF: the Extraordinary Life of George Beamish, War Hero and Rugby Star’ by Paul McElhinney (Amberley Publishing)