From The Vaults

13 June 2025

First Test of the 1971 Lions

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

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13 June 2025

First Test of the 1971 Lions

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

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23 May 2025

1936 Lions Scrapbook

The Lions returned to Argentina in 1936 and this scrapbook features clippings and mementoes from the tour...

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19 May 2025

A game for ‘gentlemen of all classes’

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

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28 April 2025

1904 Lions Scrapbook

The 1904 Lions tour took in both Australia and New Zealand. S Saunders, a forward on the tour, compiled a scrapbook of his time away...

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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...

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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’.

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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.

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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.

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