CherryPillman

Perhaps the greatest player of his generation, Charles Henry ‘Cherry’ Pillman is the prototype for the all-action modern-day flanker and the star of the 1910 British & Irish Lions Tour to South Africa.

So broad was his skill-set that he kicked goals for the Lions from the outset of the Tour and by the time the Tour finished, he had racked up six tries and 19 conversions in 16 appearances.

The greatest demonstration of Pillman’s versatility was that despite missing seven games through injury, the flanker returned for the second Test at fly-half to inspire a series-levelling triumph.

Springboks captain that day Billy Millar was so impressed by Pillman that he later wrote: "I assert confidently that if ever a man can have been said to have won an international match through his unorthodox and lone-handed efforts, it can be said of the inspired black-haired Pillman I played against on the Crusaders’ ground on 27 August 1903, when the "Rover" played as fly half, mark you, not as forward."

Returning to the pack in the third Test he was unable to exert the same influence and the Lions struggled to a 21-5 loss.

Yet Pillman – who played 18 Test for England, scoring 26 points – became a great focus for the Springboks and the archetype for back-rowers across the world.

Outside of rugby, he was awarded the Military Cross in 1918 before serving too in the Second World War.