The British & Irish Lions : History Index

The first official tour by the British Isles Rugby Union Team, selected by a committee from all four Home Unions, was to South Africa in 1910. But the idea was not a new one, as combined British & Irish teams had been heading for the southern hemisphere since 1888.

The first tour was a commercial venture made without official backing, but the six subsequent visits that took place prior to 1910 enjoyed a growing degree of support from the authorities, although only one of these included representatives of all four nations.

Lions History The Lions name was coined during the inter-war period, when the emblem on the players' jersey and lapel badges gave them their alternative title.

The 1950s proved a golden age for Lions rugby, although it was not until the 1970s that style was matched with the substance of victory in New Zealand and South Africa.

Some questioned whether the Lions had a future in the age of professionalism and the Rugby World Cup. But the popular support given to the 1997 and 2001 tours put an end to these questions.

Lions History The 2005 Tour to New Zealand proved to be an even bigger event with a reported 30,000 fans traveling to support the team. The Lions were managed by former England international Bill Beaumont and coached by former England coach Sir Clive Woodward.

2009 is expected to be even bigger

No-one is more steeped in British & Irish Lions history than Syd Millar. A player on the tours of 1959, 1962 and 1968, he coached the unbeaten Lions in South Africa in 1974, was a selector in 1977, manager in 1980, a committee member in 1993 and 1997, and Chairman of the last tour, to Australia, in 2001.

The vivid red of their jerseys has been synonymous with the Lions for more than half a century. But the team's colours have changed almost as much as the game itself since the first tour of 1888.

Having lost only once in the last 10 years, New Zealand Maori have a recent record as proud as their long rugby tradition. On Saturday in Hamilton , though, they will seek one of the few big prizes that still eludes them - a victory over the British and Irish Lions.

The British & Irish Lions

Tour to South Africa 2009

The British & Irish Lions

Tour to South Africa 2009