Bryn Meredith, three times a Lion in 1955, '59 and '62, and Russell Robins, a Test player in '55, were among those who continued to play because playing was what they loved to do.

"We did have a message sent that, once you were selected for the Lions, you must not play club rugby," said Meredith, who won eight Test caps for the Lions against the Springboks and also toured Australasia.

"I was on tour with Newport in 1955 and, I can tell you, I played. I played under the name of A.N. Other.

"My father was wild with me. 'You might have got injured' he said, and all the rest of it."



Robins and Meredith both played after receiving their prized Lions letter

It was a similar story for Pontypridd No8 Robins as his respect and admiration for a fellow player outweighed any thoughts of a possible injury ending his Lions dream.

"I was asked to play for the Academicals up in Merthyr," said Robbins, who started all four Tests in South Africa during the 2-2 series draw 53 years ago.

"At first I said, 'No I can't, we're not supposed to'.

"Then it appeared that Les Mansfield was going to be playing for the Accies in his last game. I loved Les so I went up and played."

That decision provided Robbins with one of his favourite Lions stories as a local Welsh supporter outlined the lengths to which he was willing to go to follow the Lions in South Africa.

"After the match, I was in the bar and this guy came up to me," recalled Robbins.

"He said to me, 'Congratulations Russell on being selected for the Lions. I hope to come and see you'.

"'Thank you very much,' I said. 'When are you flying?' 'Oh, I'm not flying,' he said. 'Sailing?' I said. 'No, I'm going by motorbike.'

"He intended to go from Merthyr to France, through Spain, across to Gibraltar and down to Africa. Unsurprisingly, he never made it!"