237George McIlwaine
237

GeorgeMcIlwaine

Back Row
Age119
  • Date of Birth01 / 07 / 1905
  • Lions Tours1927
  • International CapsLions
  • Lions Origin SchoolsSt Andrew's School Grahamstown (S Africa)
  • Lions Origin ClubsGloucestershire, Richmond, Barbarians, Gloucester Rugby, Somerset, Cambridge University RFC

South African by birth, but a Cambridge Blue, George McIlwaine is a ‘Lost Lion’, having toured only the once, to Argentina in 1927 where he started all four internationals.

McIlwaine would never win an international cap, but was a prominent feature for the Lions as the 1927 Lions played nine matches, racking up 295 points while only conceding nine.

Though the results were one-sided, they sparked a rugby revolution in South America.

The No 8 or flanker played 33 times for Gloucester, won three Varsity matches for Cambridge and was a Kingsholm fan favourite, but died suddenly in Calcutta in 1930.