British and Irish Lions

The British and Irish Lions (formerly British Isles and then the British Lions; commonly the Lions) is a Rugby Union side comprising a pick of the best players from the four Home nation unions, i.e.:

Future of The Lions

In the past British and Irish rugby-union players have considered playing for the Lions a high honour in the game - for many higher even than playing for their national side. Those who play against the Lions have also regarded it as a huge occasion. However, some players, the media and some administrators have increasingly raised questions about the future of The Lions following the team's poor showing in their last two tours when first Australia (2001) and then New Zealand (2005) outplayed them. Some see the Lions as an anachronism in the highly professional world of modern international rugby union. Others see the Lions as representing a great rugby union tradition and will fight hard to preserve its traditions (such as the awarding of official caps for Lions matches). Some rugby union supporters would like to see the Lions retained as a touring side but to have the status of the team made more analogous with other scratch rugby union sides like the Barbarians - playing for the joy of rugby union rather than having any pretensions to international status.

Related Topics:
Australia - New Zealand - Barbarians

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