ColinDeans

Scotland’s Colin Deans got his first taste of Lions action in 1983, although the hooker missed out on a place in the Test side despite scoring tries in consecutive matches prior to the fourth Test against New Zealand.

He could consider himself unlucky to miss out, although he was integral to Scotland’s first Grand Slam triumph since 1925 a year later, with the relationship between he and flanker David Leslie cited as an integral part of their success.

Deans also went on to be his country’s then-most capped hooker with 52, and was to represent the Lions two years later in the IRB Centenary Celebrations against the Rest of the World XV, captaining the side.

He continued playing through to 1987, taking part in the inaugural Rugby World Cup with Scotland and bowing out against eventual champions New Zealand in the quarter-finals.