The British and Irish Lions head to Australia this summer and the player selected to captain the party will join an illustrious list of all-time greats.
British and Irish Lions: 5 Greatest Ever Lions Captains
Only 45 men have skippered the Lions in Tests and here is our list of the top five to lead the team against the Wallabies, New Zealand and South Africa.
British and Irish Lions Captains: John Dawes (1971)
Only one man has ever captained the Lions to a series victory in New Zealand: former Wales centre John Dawes. In a back-line featuring fellow Welsh greats Gareth Edwards, Barry John, Gerald Davies and J.P.R. Williams, Dawes did what he did best – putting others in space as he combined with Ireland’s Mike Gibson to tie things together in the midfield.
Dawes also led the Barbarians out when they beat the All Blacks in Cardiff in 1973, offloading the ball to Tommy David before Derek Quinnell found Gareth Edwards, who darted in to score what is still regarded as the greatest-ever try in the 15-man code.
British and Irish Lions: Willie John McBride (1974)
Utter the phrase ‘Willie John’ in rugby union circles and you may as well save your breath as those present know who you are talking about without mentioning his surname. Legendary lock McBride was selected for five Lions Tours, playing in 17 Tests and famously led the 1974 trip to South Africa.
The political situation in the country meant controversy was never far away and the series was beset by violence. That included the famous ’99’ call – a Lion would shout that number when they’d decided they had had enough of their opponents’ cheap shots, and the whole team would back him up in a display of unity. Another member of 1971’s successful trip to New Zealand, McBride was able to handle himself physically but even in his 80s, it is the quiet dignity and innate power of his personality that makes him stand out.
British and Irish Lions Captains: Finlay Calder (1989)
Few players have resurrected their Lions career as dramatically as Scotsman Finlay Calder in 1989. Named the first Scot to captain the Test side in over two decades when awarded the honour for the trip to Australia, the flanker was a controversial choice due to his indifferent form and offered to stand down after the 30-12 first Test loss in Sydney.
The request was roundly rejected and he retained his role for the following week’s match in Brisbane. With the pressure on the tourists to save the series, Calder led from the front as Ian McGeechan’s patched-up side won the ‘Battle of Ballymore’ 19-12. The rivals returned to Sydney for the decider and with the momentum behind his team, the East Lothian-born back-rower guided the Lions to a 19-18 victory. Calder’s manner and performances saw him described as ‘the best Lions captain’ by centre Scott Hastings, whose brother, Gavin, succeeded his fellow Scot by skippering the institution four years later.
British and Irish Lions Captains: Martin Johnson – (1997/2001)
A three-time tourist, Martin Johnson was a late call-up for Wade Dooley in 1993 and played in the final two Tests against New Zealand, having represented that country’s under-21s just three years earlier during a spell playing in the Land of the Long White Cloud. However, it was in 1997 that he became a Lions legend, steering the side to a 2-1 victory in South Africa. McGeechan controversially selected him for the role ahead of his England skipper Lawrence Dallaglio but his physicality earned the Springboks’ respect and he emulated McBride in leading his team to glory.
Like the Irishman, Johnson’s ability to say little but make every syllable count was magically captured in the iconic ‘Living with Lions’ documentary. Four years later, he became the first player to captain the Lions in two series, but to less success as they lost 2-1 in Australia.
British and Irish Lions Captains: Alun Wyn Jones (2013/2021)
Finally, another lock, Alun Wyn Jones, who stood in for Sam Warburton to pilot the team to final Test glory against Australia as they snuck another sensational series 2-1 in 2013. After also playing an important role in the drawn series against the All Blacks in 2017, he finally landed the leadership for the 2021 tour to South Africa, having also toured the Rainbow Nation 12 years earlier.
Jones only made the trip after miraculously recovering from a dislocated shoulder, which allowed him to match fellow Welshman Graham Price’s achievement of playing 12 consecutive Lions Tests, albeit in a losing cause.
By Adrian Mills
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