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Over the past few days The Guardian newspaper has chosen its 50 Greatest British and Irish Lions. The selection panel of 12 included former Lions captains Bill Beaumont, Phil Bennett and Finlay Calder as well as former Welsh captain Eddie Butler.
The top 15, irrespective of playing position, were as follows:
1 – Gareth Edwards (Wales), 2 – Willie John McBride (Ireland), 3 – Martin Johnson (England), 4 – JPR Williams (Wales), 5 – Barry John (Wales), 6 – Gerald Davies (Wales), 7 – Mike Gibson (Ireland), 8 – Mervyn Davies (Wales), 9 – Phil Bennett (Wales), 10 – Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland), 11 – Ian McLaughlan (Scotland), 12 – Fran Cotton (England), 13 – Jeremy Guscott (England), 14 – Andy Irvine (Scotland), 15 – Gordon Brown (Scotland).
Overall, England and Wales each gained 16 nominations, while Scotland and Ireland each gained nine nominations, in the top 50.
To make it easier for readers, I have divided the players into three XVs (which is possible from the selections given).
All-time British and Irish Lions first XV (plus ranking).
15 – JPR Williams (Wales) – 4
14 – Gerald Davies (Wales) – 6
13 – Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland) – 10
12 – Mike Gibson (Ireland) – 7
11 – JJ Williams (Wales) – 20
10 – Barry John (Wales) – 5
9 – Gareth Edwards (Wales) – 1
8 – Mervyn Davies (Wales) – 8
7 – Fergus Slattery (Ireland) – 27
6 – Richard Hill (England) – 22
5 – Willie John McBride (Ireland) – 2
4 – Martin Johnson (England) – 3
3 – Fran Cotton (England) – 12
2 – Keith Wood (Ireland) – 17
1 – Ian McLaughlan (Scotland) – 11
The first XV backline is an entirely Welsh/Irish affair. England and Ireland dominate the forwards. All up there are six Welshman, five Irishmen, three Englishmen and a lone Scotsman. Slattery was the highest ranked specialist openside flanker.
All-time British and Irish Lions second XV (plus ranking)
15 – Andy Irvine (Scotland) – 14
14 – Ieuen Evans (Wales) – 25
13 – Jeremy Guscott (England) – 13
12 – Ian McGeechan (Scotland) – 18
11 – Tony O’Reilly (Ireland) – 21
10 – Phil Bennett (Wales) – 9
9 – Dickie Jeeps (England) – 33
8 – Lawrence Dallaglio (England) – 28
7 – Finlay Calder (Scotland) – 35
6 – Mike Teague (England) – 26
5 – Bill Beaumont (England) – 32
4 – Gordon Brown (Scotland) – 15
3 – Syd Millar (Ireland) – 29
2 – Peter Wheeler (England) – 38
1 – David Sole (Scotland) – 47
England dominate the second XV with six selections. Following a lone rep in the first XV, Scotland has five reps in the second XV. Ironic that Guscott was ranked #13 as he had a superstitious dislike of that number. I acknowledge that O’Reilly was normally a right winger.
All-time British and Irish Lions third XV (plus ranking)
15 – Gavin Hastings (Scotland) – 16
14 – David Duckham (England) – 37
13 – John Dawes (Wales) – 24
12 – Scott Gibbs (Wales) – 19
11 – Jason Robinson (England) – 44
10 – Cliff Morgan (Wales) – 23
9 – Matt Dawson (England) – 48
8 – Jim Telfer (Scotland) – 30
7 – Dean Richards (England) – 34
6 – Roger Uttley (England) – 43
5 – Rhys Williams (Wales) – 46
4 – Paul O’Connell (Ireland) – 39
3 – Graham Price (Wales) – 31
2 – Bobby Windsor (Wales) – 42
1 – Tom Smith (Scotland) – 49
Unfortunately, none of the remaining backrowers were specialist openside flankers, which is why I’ve slotted Richards into the position. Is Dawson really the third best-ever Lions scrumhalf? Are Dawes and Gibbs really the third best-ever centre pairing?
There were five other players selected, comprising four flyhalfs and a scrumhalf.
Jackie Kyle (Ireland) – 36
Rob Andrew (England) – 40
Jonny Wilkinson (England) – 41
Neil Jenkins (Wales) – 45
Robert Jones (Wales) – 50
I have no quibble whatsoever with the first XV as shown, it’s a mighty fine team indeed. The second XV is also pretty special, but then it gets a bit murky.
Part of the methodology of the selection panel was to give precedence to players from successful Lions sides, which is sensible to a point. But only up to a point.
So, did any of the 50 Lions selected above, enjoy a 100% win record? Yes, only one player – Mike Teague – with three wins from three matches.
Fergus Slattery and Roger Uttley were also unbeaten, each with three wins and a draw, giving them a win ratio of 88%.
On the next level were JPR Williams, Mervyn Davies and Ian McLaughlan, who played in the same eight matches for five wins, two draws and just one defeat for a win ratio of 75%.
Bobby Windsor is next with three wins and a draw from five matches and a win ratio of 70%. Just behind him is Gordon Brown, whose eight matches resulted in five wins, a draw and two defeats for a win ratio of 69%.
The greatest Lion – Gareth Edwards – played 10 Tests for five wins, three draws and two defeats, and a win ratio of 65%.
Willie John McBride played most Lions Tests with 17. Success came very late for him. In his first nine Tests, he managed just one draw! But his last eight Tests resulted in five wins, two draws and just a solitary defeat.
The selection process does highlight the folly of omitting some outstanding individuals who weren’t part of great Lions teams, especially from the 50s and 60s, but who were great players in their own right.
Finally, pre-World War II players are completely ignored, which makes you wonder how accurate the final selections actually are, not withstanding that the 50s and 70s especially, were the peak decades for Lions success.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.