From The Vaults

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...

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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)

29 May 2017

How the 1950 British and Irish Lions prepared for their trip to New Zealand

A Lions tour involves vast amounts of preparation and a numerous tactical discussions. Ahead of this year's tour in New Zealand, let's take a look at how things were done nearly seventy years ago.

30 April 2017

Remembering the first British and Irish Lions Tour

In 1888 a British touring team was sent to the antipodean colonies to play rugby; an event that subsequently became a key moment in rugby history, setting a precedent for years to come and beginning one of the great traditions of the sport.

19 February 2015

How close did Wales come to being the Leeks of international rugby?

The crest on the badge below is from the 1899 Anglo-Australia team although this name is slightly misleading as the team was in fact a British representative side that toured Australia and not the teams combined as the name suggests.