The British and Irish Lions tour is now an eagerly anticipated event taking place every four years. Thousands of supporters from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales travel to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa to follow a Lions tour, providing a sizeable economic boost for the hosts.
A combined 'Home Unions' side has been touring the Southern Hemisphere since 1888, eventually leading to what is known today as The Lions Tour. Every four years, thousands of fans travel with the British and Irish Lions to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa to provide a unique occasion in the Southern Hemisphere.
Early Lions tours were only fleetingly captured on film by local news crews and it was not really until the 1970s when reasonable coverage of the Test matches began. Fortunately for rugby fans Lions tours are now extensively covered by TV cameras, providing coverage of the provincial games too.
British and Irish Lions Tours on DVD
Many of the legends in recent rugby union history have been captured on film enabling Lions fans to enjoy the skill of players such as John Dawes, Willie John McBride, Phil Bennett, Gareth Edwards, JPR Williams, Barry John, Martin Johnson and Brian O'Driscoll.
Highlights of British and Irish Lions tours are now regularly produced on DVD shortly after each tour. These generally provide action from the Test matches, important provincial games and a certain amount of candid 'behind-the-scenes' footage.
British and Irish Lions Memorabilia
We are developing a range of British and Irish Lions memorabilia. Here you will find photos from Lions Tours, some of which are limited edition, signed and framed prints which would make a superb addition to any collector of Lions merchandise or would hugely appeal to Lions fans in general.
The British & Irish Lions
The earliest occasion of a combined 'Home Unions' side touring the Southern Hemisphere took place in 1888 during a visit to Australia and New Zealand. No Test matches took place but there were 35 matches against provincial, city and academic sides. An important precedent had been established and three years later an officially sanctioned British Isles side toured South Africa. Included in this tour were three Tests against South Africa, with the British Isles completing a hat-trick.
The 1924 tour to South Africa possibly marked the first time that the tourists were referred to as 'The Lions' and in 1930 they wore, for the first time, the now traditional red shirt, white shorts and blue socks with green tops to represent the four Unions.
Early Success of the British Lions
The early 1970s marked a golden era in Lions' rugby. In 1971 the British Lions won a Test series 2-1 against New Zealand for the first time. It was an era of the brilliant Welsh side and the tour was coached by Carwyn James, captained by John Dawes, and the team had the notable and world class half-back pairing of Gareth Edwards and Barry John!
Hard Hitting Rugby
This was followed up by the notorious and at times brutal tour of South Africa in 1974. The tour was coached by Syd Millar and captained by fellow Irishman Willie John McBride. The Lions won Test series by 3-0 (with one draw), and it featured the infamous '99' call, which was as signal for everyone to 'wade in' at the sign of trouble. The Lions ended the tour unbeaten.
