- Date of Birth01 / 07 / 1860
- Died15 / 08 / 1888
- Lions Tours1888
- International CapsEngland
- Lions Origin ClubsBroughton Rangers, Swinton, Lancashire
England rugby star Robert Seddon was an automatic pick when Arthur Shrewsbury and Alfred Shaw selected the first ever British & Irish Lions squad to Tour Australia and New Zealand in 1888.
The forward spent the majority of his rugby career at Broughton Rangers, although he also enjoyed spells at Swinton and Lancashire.
Seddon played three international games for England, against Wales, Ireland and Scotland, although two were drawn and Ireland beat England.
In 1888 he went on Tour with the Lions as captain - one of only three players with international experience to make the trip - and earned the respect of all of his teammates with his leadership both on and off the field.
Tragically, Seddon drowned while sculling on the Hunter River halfway through the Tour and is buried in West Maitland - Sam Warburton visited his grave to pay his respects in 2013.
The captaincy of the 1888 Tour was taken over by Andrew Stoddart.