From The Vaults

23 May 2025
1936 Lions Scrapbook

The Lions returned to Argentina in 1936 under the captaincy of Leicester scrum half Bernard Gadney. The star of the side, however, was wing Prince Alexander Obolensky who notched 12 tries in six matches across Buenos Aires and Rosario but is thought to have lost all the side's travelling balls while practicing his kicking on the journey across the Atlantic.

The Lions were comfortable 23-0 winners against Argentina. On their return they stopped in the port of Santos and played an unofficial match against a representative Brazil side. Rumour has it that Obolensky scored a record 17 tries in the match but no evidence has ever been produced to support the claim.

The following images are from a scrapbook compiled about the tour.

arriving in argentina

Many newspaper articles and image clippings feature in the scrapbook, including these first impressions of the tour party.

socialising

As well as the rugby itself, there was plenty of socialising to be done, with concerts and meals put on in the touring team's honour.

Signatures

This headed paper from the ship that took the tourists to Argentina features signatures that include the team's captain, Bernard Gadney.

Lions in Brazil

Until recently, it was only believed that a match against a representative Brazil side was played at the end of the tour. However, whilst researching for our Special Exhibition, 'The History of the British & Irish Lions', a programme from the match has been found inside this scrapbook.

Visit the Exhibition

The Special Exhibition, 'The History of the British & Irish Lions', runs at the World Rugby Museum until the end of September 2025. Objects on display include a postcard from the 1936 tour as well as material from almost every Lions tour since 1888.

Entry is included with all World Rugby Museum and Allianz Stadium Tour tickets.