- Date of Birth18 / 09 / 1912
- Died23 / 11 / 2003
- Lions Tours1936, 1938
- International CapsEngland / Lions
- Lions Origin SchoolsHaileybury and Imperial Service College
- Lions Origin ClubsRosslyn Park, Barbarians, British Army, Middlesex Regt, RMC Sandhurst
Along with Vesey Boyle and Jock Waters, Jim Unwin was one of three British & Irish Lions to tour both Argentina in 1936 and South Africa two years later.
A talented all-rounder, Unwin played first-class cricket for Essex – though his brother Frederick had a more distinguished cricket career – and was blessed with both speed and supreme ball skills.
He travelled to Argentina with the Lions before his England debut came against Scotland in the 1937 Home Nations Championship, where his try helped them to the Triple Crown.
In South Africa he scored 9 tries in 15 games, played in two Tests against the Springboks and even struck a drop-goal against Transvaal.
Unwin’s rugby career ended with the Second World War, after joining up he remained in the army until 1949 when he retired as a Lieutenant Corporal.