Sir Clive Woodward: These are my 50 greatest Lions players of all time - who claims top spot?

The first memory I have of the British & Irish Lions is watching the 1971 Tests with New Zealand, games which featured true greats like Sir Gareth Edwards, Willie John McBride and JPR Williams, among others. I was hooked straight away.

As they were then, the Lions remain rugby’s greatest team. I love everything it represents, with players from the four Home Nations coming together to form a common bond once every four years against the best of the southern hemisphere.

So many incredible players have represented the Lions, with Scotland scrum-half Ben White last week becoming the 883rd and most recent man to wear the famous red jersey across 137 years of wonderful history. As a result, ranking my top 50 of all-time has been an incredibly stressful and onerous task.

For clarity, the players' caps and points totals listed here are only from Tests and the points totals have not been adjusted to reflect modern scoring - for example, tries were worth one point in the early days and only became five points in 1992. 

After much wrangling, including having to leave out one of my greatest England players in Jonny Wilkinson due to focusing solely on Lions performances, here are my top 50. Let me know what you think and who you would have had at No 1.

50. John Hammond

Country: England Position: Forward Lions Tours: 1891, 1896 Lions Caps: 5 Lions Points: 0 

Hammond played right at the start of the Lions concept, featuring 27 times for the 1891 and 1896 teams in South Africa, when the first official Tests were played.

It’s amazing to look back at those tours now and realise what the players took on. Hammond appeared throughout the 20-game unbeaten 1891 tour, only lost once in a Lions jersey and won four of his five Tests against the Springboks.

It’s players like Hammond that laid the platform for what the Lions is today.

49. Robert Seddon

Country: England Position: Forward Tours: 1888 Caps: 0 Lions Points: 0 

I was fascinated to read recently of Seddon’s story in Mail Sport. It was one I wasn’t too familiar with previously. But having done so now, he deserves a place on this list.

Seddon was the Lions' first ever captain on the tour of New Zealand and Australia in 1888, but tragically lost his life in a boating accident during the trip. Remarkably, the tour carried on without him.

Despite the 249-day, 55-match tour that he was captain of, Seddon never got a chance to play in a Test for the Lions. Despite that, will always be a part of the team’s folklore.

48. Peter Winterbottom

Country: England Position: Flanker Tours: 1983, 1993 Caps: 7 Points: 0

I toured with Peter in 1983 when the Lions went to New Zealand, so I saw up close how good he was. And my word, he was outstanding on that trip.

Winterbottom was one of the finest flankers ever to play for England. His career in a white shirt was first class.

On the 1983 Lions tour he was a standout performer, featuring in all four Tests against the All Blacks and 12 of the 18 matches we had in total. That showed his durability.

As a Yorkshireman, he was hard too. A fine Lion and team-mate, the sort of player every team needs.

47. Froude Hancock

Country: England Position: Forward Tours: 1891, 1896 Caps: 7 Points: 3 

‘Who?’ I hear you all ask. Well, let me enlighten you. Hancock played in the first seven Tests for the Lions, all against the Springboks and finishing with six wins. That still stands as a record for a Lions player, equal with Blair Swannell.

In all, he played 33 games on two tours and lost only once. A giant of a man for his era, he was nicknamed ‘Baby’. He was also a founding member of the Barbarians – rugby’s other great touring side – and played in their first fixture, too.

46. Scott Gibbs

Country: Wales Position: Centre Tours: 1993, 1997, 2001 Caps: 5 Points: 5 

Gibbs’ 1999 Wembley try for Wales against England, jinking through our defence to deny us the final Five Nations title, still gives me nightmares even now! But that was a long time ago and I’ve forgiven Gibbs these days.

He was a brilliant centre for the Lions and went on three tours, including winning player of the series in the historic 2-1 win over South Africa in 1997.

That tour is a real part of history as it was probably the last ‘old-school’ trip, even if the game had turned professional by then. Gibbs was also a great character off the field. People forget his roles in his other tours, too, beating England captain Will Carling to a Test shirt in the latter stages of the 1993 tour.

45. Tom Smith

Country: Scotland Position: Prop Tours: 1997, 2001 Caps: 6 Points: 0 

It was beyond cruel that he so sadly passed away in 2022 at the age of just 50 after battling cancer.

He won 67 Test caps in all and was instrumental in Scotland's 1999 Five Nations title. 

It was amazing that with the Lions he was a star in 1997, despite going into that tour with just three Test appearances for his country to his name. That didn’t stop him starting all three Tests in South Africa and then also being involved in every game of the 2001 series with Australia.

Six consecutive Lions Tests in the front row is no mean feat.

44. Owen Farrell

Country: England Position: Fly-half, centre Tours: 2013, 2017, 2021, 2025 Caps: 6 Points: 34 

There has been criticism of Farrell’s call-up to this year’s tour of Australia. It has certainly divided opinion. But the fact Farrell is now a Lion for the fourth time means he joins an elite club. Hats off to him for that.

You have to remember that on the successful 2013 trip to Australia, Farrell was just 21. But in that series he was a standout performer, showing maturity beyond his years.

He was also a key figure in 2017 and 2021 and I’m sure the fact he knows how to win a series will mean he’ll have a role to play in this year’s Tests.

43. Bleddyn Williams

Country: Wales Position: Centre Tours: 1950 Caps: 5 Points: 3 

As a former midfielder, I know just how good Williams was. He was known as ‘The Prince of Centres’ for a reason!

A glider pilot in World War Two, the Welshman could do it all. He could smash opponents in the tackle, but when he had the ball he would make effortless, gliding runs which would cut the opposition’s defence to ribbons.

Williams was so good, the legend goes, that he was sent home from parachute campaigns in the Rhine during the War because he was far more in need elsewhere - to play for the Great Britain team against the Dominions. He rushed back on the last supply plane to Brize Norton and scored a try, but even he could not prevent defeat.

He captained the Lions in two Tests in 1950 and scored 13 tries in 21 matches on that trip. His famous score against Australia in Brisbane is the sort of try the Lions could do with this weekend!

42. Roger Uttley

Country: England Position: Lock, back-row forward Tours: 1974 Caps: 4 Points: 8 

An ‘Invincible’ from 1974, his only Lions tour was certainly one to remember. If you could be a part of just one Lions trip from the past, it would probably be that year in South Africa!

Uttley played all four Tests against the Springboks, scoring in the final match of the series. He captained England five times and his versatility as a forward was impressive.

In 1974, he was selected as a second row, but played as a loose forward in the Tests.

41. Tony O’Reilly

Country: Ireland Position: Wing Tours: 1955, 1959 Caps: 10 Points: 18 

O'Reilly first toured with the Lions in South Africa in 1955 when he was 19 and became an instant hit, scoring two hat-tricks and 16 tries.

He still holds the record for the most tries scored in a Lions shirt with 38 in as many games, and the most Test tries with six.

He played in 10 straight Test matches and with Wales lock Rhys Williams, became the first Lion to win a Test in South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. There are only 10 players who hold that distinction.

His 17 tries in New Zealand has stood as a record since 1959.

40. Jason Leonard

Country: England Position: Prop Tours: 1993, 1997, 2001 Caps: 5 Points: 0 

I was fortunate to coach Jason. He was a wonderful prop for England, so versatile and reliable.

He was made for the Lions. With a nickname like ‘Fun Bus’ you have to be a great tourist and there’s no doubt Jason falls into that category!

He played in Tests in New Zealand, South Africa and Australia in 1993, 1997 and 2001 respectively. That sums up his durability and excellence.

Without him, England wouldn’t have won the 2003 World Cup. He also went on to serve the Lions as chairman in South Africa in 2021.

39. Ieuan Evans

Country: Wales Position: Wing Tours: 1989, 1993, 1997 Caps: 7 Points: 4

Chairman on this Lions tour and that is reflective of his place in the team’s history.

As a wing, he played on three tours – 1989, 1993 and 1997. I’m sure he will never forget the series-winning try he scored in the third Test with Australia in 1989. And neither will I!

In all he scored nine tries on Lions tours, though that series-winner against the Wallabies was his only Test try. 

38. Bryn Meredith

Country: Wales Position: Hooker Tours: 1955, 1959, 1962 Caps: 8 Points: 3 

He was arguably way ahead of his time. These days, all forwards are expected to be mobile and to be able to handle the ball.

But Wales hooker Meredith was doing that in the 1950s as an all-action player. He went on three Lions tours in 1955, 1959 and 1962.

In the first of those trips, he scored a record six tries in South Africa, including one in the second Test against the Boks. Can fellow all-around threat Dan Sheehan replicate his prolific efforts this time around?

37. Bill Beaumont

Country: England Position: Lock Tours: 1977, 1980 Caps: 7 Points: 0

Bill was my Lions captain in South Africa in 1980, making him the first English skipper of the historic team since 1930.

I remember at the time it felt like a huge milestone not only for Bill as an individual, but for English rugby as a whole. He fully deserved it.

Bill was a towering second row, a real leader and the sort of guy you’d follow into battle. Although we lost three of the four Tests with South Africa in 1980, that doesn’t tell the full story of what Bill brought to the role.

36. Bobby Windsor

Country: Wales Position: Hooker Tours: 1974, 1977 Caps: 5 Points: 0

He was a member of the famous Pontypool front row alongside Charlie Faulkner and Graham Price. That trio were enough to put the fear of God into an opposition pack. 

The 1974 series was inspirational to me as a young player, not that I tried to emulate Windsor and Co in terms of style of play!

Windsor was a hard-nosed hooker and he formed part of a Lions front row that was not to be messed with.

Any player – or team – that goes to South Africa and dominates the Springboks physically deserves a big pat on the back.

35. Jim Telfer

Country: Scotland Position: No 8 Tours: 1966, 1968 Caps: 6 Points: 0

Telfer is undoubtedly best known for the ‘Everest’ speech he gave to the 1997 Lions when working as an assistant coach.

Some of the younger generation today might not even remember that! If so, they definitely won’t recollect Telfer’s other Lions achievements. However, they have stood the test of time.

In 1966, he played five of six Tests and two years later he featured in 11 games in South Africa. He went on to coach Scotland and then the Lions in 1983, before being the ultimate assistant to Sir Ian McGeechan in 1997.

34. Ken Jones

Country: Wales Position: Centre Tours: 1962, 1966 Caps: 6 Points: 9

Like Bleddyn Williams, Jones was a Welsh centre with a serious reputation.

He was called up for the 1962 tour to South Africa after just three games for his country and went on to play in three Tests, scoring two more Test tries against Australia in 1966.

The Welsh have such a great and long history with the Lions. Jones is a key part of that.

33. David Duckham

Country: England Position: Wing, centre Tours: 1971 Caps: 3 Points: 0

My England career didn’t overlap with Duckham’s, but he was a true inspiration to me personally. I loved the way he played the game, so effortless and free-flowing. 

Duckham was one of those players who made it all look so easy. He was a wonderful player for his country, but it was under the guidance of Welsh coach Carwyn James with the Lions that his game went to another level.

He was let loose on the 1971 trip to Australia and New Zealand, scoring six tries in one tour game against West Coast-Buller, a record for a visiting player. His nickname ‘Dai’, which came following that trip, reflected the fact he suited Wales’ style of play more than that of his country.

It was such a shame when he died two years ago.

32. Dickie Jeeps

Country: England Position: Scrum-half Tours: 1955, 1959, 1962 Caps: 13 Points: 0

Not many players become Lions. Even fewer represent the famous side before being selected by their respective country. Jeeps falls into that rare bracket.

He first toured with the Lions in 1955 having never played a Test for England. A scrum-half, he went on to win 13 Lions caps across three tours in total – 1955, 1959 and 1962 - and only Willie John McBride, with 17, has more Tests to his name.

He started 1955 as the Lions’ third-choice No 9 but quickly rose to the top of the pecking order, crediting playing a pre-tour invitation match with the great Cliff Morgan as helping him to earn selection.

31. John Pullin

Country: England Position: Hooker Tours: 1968, 1971 Caps: 7 Points: 9

One of England’s greatest hookers, if not No 1. His England career ended four years before mine began, having been the first (of four) England captains to win a Test against all three of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

His achievements were significant, beating New Zealand with three different teams – England, the Lions and the Barbarians.

He played all three Lions Tests in South Africa in 1968 and then helped the team to victory over the All Blacks three years later.

Pullin was a real inspiration and another great loss to rugby when he died in 2021.

30. Graham Price

Country: Wales Position: Prop Tours: 1977, 1980, 1983 Caps: 12 Points: 4

A Welsh prop star and another famous member of the Pontypool front row. We were Lions team-mates in 1980 and 1983 and I can say one thing for sure - it was far better to be on his team than playing against him, as I did when England met Wales.

As fearsome as they come, Price took no prisoners. Some of the stories from our time together I cannot possibly repeat! To play in three tours – 1977, 1980 and 1983 – sums up his career.

Price remains the only player to feature in a record 12 successive Tests for the Lions, which says more about his skill and dedication than I ever could.

29. Paul O’Connell

Country: Ireland Position: Lock Tours: 2005, 2009, 2013 Caps: 7 Points: 0

I was fortunate to coach him with the Lions in New Zealand in 2005. What a leader. 

Although he wasn’t captain on the tour I was in charge of – he would go on to do the job in South Africa in 2009 – he was an integral part of the team I picked.

Paul started all three Tests in 2005. He was an exceptional lineout forward, one of the best of all-time at calling the set-piece.

Behind the scenes, he was calm and softly spoken, but the players hung on his every word. I got to see first-hand why he was such a good player and often captain for Ireland.

28. Andy Irvine

Country: Scotland Position: Full-back Tours: 1974, 1977, 1980 Caps: 9 Points: 28

The last of his three Lions tours in 1980 was my first. While I was new to the Lions that year, Irvine had not only been there and done it, he’d got the T-shirt too.

As a player who had won in South Africa in 1974, he had my immediate respect. Irvine played the game how I liked to see it as a fleet-footed full-back. What an attacker. His 281 points across all tour matches are a Lions record.

In 1980, he was a late call-up, but still featured in three of the four Tests. I played in two of those.

With players like Irvine in our team, we had the quality to achieve success, so to lose the series was disappointing. However, that didn’t detract from Irvine’s Lions legacy. He was some player.

27. Keith Wood

Country: Ireland Position: Hooker Tours: 1997, 2001 Caps: 5 Points: 0

Like Gibbs, Wood is responsible for giving me a few horror flashbacks! His try for Ireland in 2001 stopped the England side I was coaching winning a Grand Slam that year in Dublin. We would have our revenge in 2003, but Wood was a force of nature. 

He was a brilliant player, so explosive and dynamic for a hooker. He had a great Lions career too and deservedly so.

He was a key figure on the brilliant 1997 tour victory in South Africa and went on to win five Lions Test caps in total by starting all three matches in Australia in 2001.

I liked Wood a lot. Clearly his talent was obvious, but I think his personality traits made him a great tourist.

26. Mike Teague

Country: England Position: Back-row forward Tours: 1989, 1993 Caps: 3 Points: 0

They didn’t come much harder than Teague, who was a builder by profession and had been raised on a farm. The strength he used on site was what he brought to rugby. 

You didn’t mess with him. I was well aware of his menacing ability when he came through with England, making his international bow in 1985.

On the 1989 Lions tour of Australia, he missed the first Test due to injury and the result was a defeat. Back fit for the next two games, the Lions were revived and won 2-1, with Teague named player of the series.

He also excelled in New Zealand four years later and was undefeated in his three Tests in the red shirt.

25. Syd Millar

Country: Ireland Position: Prop Tours: 1959, 1962, 1968 Caps: 9 Points: 0

He was an Irish hero and his Lions legacy is incredible, with nine tours over six decades in a variety of different roles.

He propped both sides of the scrum while playing in the famous red shirt. He had three tours as a player and one as a series-winning coach, before staying involved in a series of other guises.

In Millar’s on-field era, there was none of what we see today with front-row forwards being replaced after 50 minutes. Back then, they went the distance like everyone else. Millar made 39 Lions appearances in total.

24. Cliff Morgan

Country: Wales Position: Fly-half Tours: 1955 Caps: 4 Points: 3

I was schooled in Wales and as a result, looked up to players like Barry John when I was taking my first steps into rugby.

Morgan was a predecessor to the likes of John and Phil Bennett. All three played the game the same way as wonderful attacking No 10s.

I’ve said a few times about how I could have ended up representing Wales rather than England. I never did after missing out at a schoolboy trial, but I’ve always had great respect for the Welsh because of the way they’ve historically played the game. Morgan was a big part of that.

23. Fergus Slattery

Country: Ireland Position: Flanker Tours: 1971, 1974 Caps: 4 Points: 0

It’s nigh on impossible to compare rugby today to the game of previous generations. But you’d struggle to get a better Lions back-row trio than that of Uttley, Slattery and Mervyn Davies, who downed South Africa in 1974. That combination had everything. 

An Ireland star, Slattery was as quick as an openside flanker. Speed is taken as a given if you are tasked with playing No 7 these days, but Slattery had that in a different era.

Being an ‘Invincible’ is more than enough for Slattery to make my top 50, but he also played 13 Lions games in New Zealand in 1971. Maybe he should be higher on my list!

22. Peter Wheeler

Country: England Position: Hooker Tours: 1977, 1980 Caps: 7 Points: 0

Peter is a great friend of mine. We played so much rugby together with Leicester, England and the Lions and it was a privilege for me to see so much of his career first hand.

I still speak to him regularly and I’m sure he’ll be giving me a call to ask why he isn’t at least No 15 or below!

I will give him some extra praise though. He was a fantastic hooker, particularly excelling in loose play.

We were both on the Lions tour of 1980, but Peter also travelled three years previously. In 1977, he played three of the four Tests in New Zealand and featured in 13 matches in total.

21. Mervyn Davies

Country: Wales Position: No 8 Tours: 1971, 1974 Caps: 8 Points: 0

Merv was an ever-present on what were probably the two most successful tours in Lions history, winning in New Zealand in 1971 and South Africa in 1974. The No 8 was a star on both trips.

In those years, unlike in 2025, the Welsh formed the heartbeat of the Lions and Davies led from the front.

His nickname of ‘Merv the Swerve’ summed him up perfectly because unusually as a forward at the back of the scrum, he wasn’t all about raw power. He was a brilliant athlete and runner as well as an aggressive tackler.

He earned serious praise from All Blacks legend Colin Meads, and anyone who can win in New Zealand deserves immense credit.

20. Gerald Davies

Country: Wales Position: Wing, centre Tours: 1968, 1971 Caps: 5 Points: 9

Like ‘Merv the Swerve’, Davies’ Lions career is hugely defined by 1971. That year, the flying winger appeared in all four Tests with the All Blacks and scored three tries. Such a strike rate sealed his place in Lions history.

He also toured in 1968 and would surely have been in South Africa in 1974 too had he not refused to travel because of his personal belief against the country’s Apartheid regime, which was in place at the time.

Taking such a position and giving up what would have been a big part of your career takes some doing, so I applaud Gerald for that.

19. Jeremy Guscott

Country: England Position: Centre Tours: 1989, 1993, 1997 Caps: 8 Points: 7

During the time I coached him with England, I referred to Guscott as the ‘Prince of Centres’ and when I did so, I knew I’d be comparing him to Bleddyn Williams.

Doing so was significant, but I truly believed Guscott was worthy of being in the same company as the great Welshman. He offered pace, awareness and intelligence to both England and the Lions in midfield, as well as with Bath.

He’ll forever be remembered for his last-gasp drop-goal that won the Lions their 1997 series in South Africa. He also toured in 1989 and started all three New Zealand Tests in 1993.

18. Ian McLauchlan

Country: Scotland Position: Prop Tours: 1971, 1974 Caps: 8 Points: 3

‘Mighty Mouse’ was a cornerstone of the Lions scrum in two successive series wins, playing in eight Tests and 30 matches across 1971 and 1974.

His low body position at scrum time caused bigger men huge problems and he enabled the Lions to achieve forward parity in New Zealand and dominance in South Africa.

The Scottish prop can lay claim to one of the most famous Lions Test tries of all-time, coming up with the only score in a 9-3 first Test win over the All Blacks that set the Lions on their way to their only series victory over the Kiwis to date.

Sadly, he passed away in June, leaving a gaping hole in Scottish and Lions history.

17. Finlay Calder

Country: Scotland Position: Flanker Tours: 1989 Caps: 3 Points: 0

Another wonderful Lion from Scotland. He was captain of the team which won in Australia in 1989. His role in that series makes him unique, as he is the only 20th-century Lions skipper to lead them to a series victory after losing the opening Test. He was a wonderful flanker, one of the best about in the 1980s.

16. Gavin Hastings

Country: Scotland Position: Full-back Tours: 1989, 1993 Caps: 6 Points: 69

A run of Scots! Captain in New Zealand in 1993 and played across all six matches on that tour and the one previous in 1989.

What marked him out for me was his goalkicking from full-back. He scored more than 150 points for the Lions in all matches - while his 69 in Tests are a record - which is a reflection of that ability.

The modern trend, especially as rugby went professional, has been for a forward to be captain. But Hastings proved that doesn’t necessarily need to be the case.

15. John Dawes

Country: Wales Position: Centre Tours: 1971 Caps: 4 Points: 0

At the heart of the 1971 trip to Australia and New Zealand as captain. That tour took three months, with the Wales centre making 19 appearances.

Dawes appeared in all four Tests and was a star of the 2-1 series victory. He lost only twice in the famous red shirt and went on to be Lions coach in New Zealand in 1977. 

He also captained Wales in a team which included the likes of Mervyn Davies, JPR Williams, Gerald Davies and John Taylor.

14. JJ Williams

Country: Wales Position: Wing Tours: 1974, 1977 Caps: 7 Points: 20

You could make a good argument to say the Lions wouldn’t have won in South Africa in 1974 if Williams hadn’t scored twice in both the second and third Tests.

His pace, in a different era, was just phenomenal and a real point of difference. He scored six tries in one game in 1974. His try-scoring feats with the Lions remained imperious in New Zealand in 1977 too, with 10 in 14 matches.

He is undoubtedly one of the best wingers in Lions history.

13. Gordon Brown

Country: Scotland Position: Lock Tours: 1971, 1974, 1977 Caps: 8 Points: 8

I’m not sure why, but for some reason Brown isn’t often mentioned among the true Lions greats. He fully deserves to be.

Across 1971, 1974 and 1977, he played a mammoth 41 times for the Lions as a lock forward. He went unbeaten in the first six of his eight Lions Tests. 

He formed a physical partnership with Willie John McBride in New Zealand and South Africa and became a legendary figure in the game. McBride, rightly, is remembered for his exploits, but his second-row partner must not be forgotten.

12. Mike Gibson

Country: Ireland Position: Fly-half Tours: 1966, 1968, 1971, 1974, 1977 Caps: 9 Points: 6

He just misses out on my top 10. This is agonising! He is among illustrious company here and rightly so. Gibson is a Lions icon, the Irishman a veteran of five tours.

He not only made a mammoth 68 appearances in red but, remarkably, won 67 of those games. He was a Lion in 1966, 1968, 1971, 1974 and 1977.

Given the length and number of games across tours in that era, such a record is outstanding and a testament to his durability.

11. Phil Bennett

Country: Wales Position: Fly-half Tours: 1974, 1977 Caps: 8 Points: 44

Phil Bennett and Barry John gave me so much joy as I started to watch rugby. The pair were my first heroes in the sport, predominantly because of the way they played the game.

That 1974 tour will always be remembered, as Bennett pulled the strings against the mighty Springboks. His performance in the second Test that year was outstanding.

Bennett could do it all. His jinking running is what he was probably best known for, but he could kick well too and also captained the Lions in 1977.

10. Brian O’Driscoll

Country: Ireland Position: Centre Tours: 2001, 2005, 2009, 2013 Caps: 8 Points: 30

In 2005, I didn’t have much hesitation in handing him the Lions captaincy. There were plenty of options as skipper, but O’Driscoll’s form and leadership for Ireland, combined with his Lions heroics in Australia, made him the obvious choice.

His famous try against the Wallabies in 2001 sealed his place in the game’s history.

I loved working with O’Driscoll and when he was the victim of a spear tackle right at the start of the first New Zealand Test in 2005, it sent shockwaves through our camp. It was a reflection of O’Driscoll’s quality that the Lions never really recovered.

9. Alun Wyn Jones

Country: Wales Position: Lock Tours: 2009, 2013, 2017, 2021 Caps: 12 Points: 0

Twelve Tests for the Lions, captain in South Africa four years ago, and a modern-day Willie John McBride. Jones set the standard both with Wales and the Lions and it was up to everyone else to follow.

Wales have produced so many good Lions and Jones deserves his place in the top 10. He won in Australia in 2013 and was a key figure in the drawn New Zealand series of 2017, forming a great partnership with Maro Itoje.

8. Sam Warburton 

Country: Wales Position: Flanker Tours: 2013, 2017 Caps: 5 Points: 0

The only man in Lions history to captain the side into at least two Test series and never end up on the losing side.

In 2013, his squad delivered a 2-1 win over Australia, while in 2017 they drew the series 1-1 in New Zealand – the first time the Lions had avoided defeat against the All Blacks since 1971. 

His calm approach with French referee Romain Poite during a highly controversial penalty decision at the end of the third Test in Auckland was crucial in helping the Lions draw the game 15-15 to share the series.

He was a brilliant player, but arguably an even better captain. I loved his calm leadership style and the way he empowered the players around him. Today, I like his television punditry too.

7. Barry John

Country: Wales Position: Fly-half Tours: 1968, 1971 Caps: 5 Points: 30

Barry scored 188 points in 21 tour games for the Lions, including 190 in 15 games in 1971 when he was dubbed the ‘King’ in New Zealand. It was a deserved moniker.

His partnership with Sir Gareth Edwards was just sublime. He left New Zealand with 30 of the Lions' 48 points over the four Test matches, taking home 194 points for the tour altogether.

It was the peak of John’s career when he retired aged just 27. It was a different time then, but looking back, rugby was robbed of more years of John’s talent. He really was that good a player, the sort of back who was worth the admission fee alone.

6. Fran Cotton

Country: England Position: Prop Tours: 1974, 1977, 1980 Caps: 4 Points: 3

He was one of the rocks on which the 1974 Test series success was built, anchoring the scrum in South Africa.

He missed the first Test in New Zealand in 1977, but returned for the final three.

He also went on a third tour in 1980 which was disrupted by a medical problem.

He suffered serious chest pains, although the initial diagnosis of a mild heart attack was thankfully incorrect. It ended his tour after four warm-up games.

He returned to South Africa as tour manager in 1997, when he was crucial in setting the right tone and atmosphere for the first professional tour alongside the coaching duo of Sir Ian McGeechan and Jim Telfer.

5. JPR Williams

Country: Wales Position: Full-back Tours: 1971, 1974 Caps: 8 Points: 3

If you’re immediately recognisable by your initials, you must have done something right.

With his iconic sideburns and fearless on-field approach, Williams redefined the full-back position by becoming a running threat. He took the opposition on with a never-say-die attack and was a Welsh hero of 1971 and 1974. The latter series in South Africa was made for Williams, taking on the Springboks without a backward step.

4. Sir Ian McGeechan

Country: Scotland Position: Fly-half, centre Tours: 1974, 1977 Caps: 8 Points: 3

I wanted my top four to have one from each of the four Home Nations as I believe equal representation has always been an important Lions concept.

‘Geech’ essentially represents the Lions in human form, often referred to as ‘Mr Lions’ or the ‘saviour of the Lions’. He played on two tours (30 games and eight Tests in a row) and was an integral part of the Invincible side in South Africa in 1974.

He then went on to become head coach on four tours and assistant coach on a fifth. He sums up what the Lions means and you see that on television even now, when he’s covering the tours with Sky Sports.

3. Willie John McBride

Country: Ireland Position: Lock Tours: 1962, 1966, 1968, 1971, 1974 Caps: 17 Points: 3

Probably the greatest Lions captain of all-time and the man who has played more games (70) and more Tests (17) for the touring team than anyone else.

His love affair with the Lions began in South Africa in 1962 when he played in two Tests, followed by three against the All Blacks in 1966 and then all four internationals against the Springboks two years later.

He managed one draw on that trip before finally getting a win under his belt nine years on from his debut. The 1971 and 1974 Lions are the greatest of all-time and McBride was at the heart of both packs.

2. Sir Gareth Edwards

Country: Wales Position: Scrum-half Tours: 1968, 1971, 1974 Caps: 10 Points: 3

I loved Edwards. He just misses out on being No 1 and I appreciate the view of those who would say he should be top of the list.

A hamstring injury forced him out of his first tour in South Africa in 1968 after playing in the first two Tests. He then went on to inspire the Lions to back-to-back series wins in 1971 and 1974, playing 39 times in the red jersey across the three tours.

Cruelly, he is now the only survivor of the Welsh greats of his era as JPR, John and Bennett have all passed on.

A true Lions icon and one of the best players to ever do it.

1. Martin Johnson

Country: England Position: Lock Tours: 1993, 1997, 2001 Caps: 8 Points: 0

I’ve put Martin as No 1 and the reasoning behind it is because of how much I worked with him personally.

Some might say there is some bias involved here and any of my top four could have been No 1. But Johnson, for me, stands above the rest.

His leadership was on another level. He was the McBride of the professional era and the first man to captain the Lions twice - to the 1997 victory in South Africa and again in Australia in 2001.

His Lions exploits alone are enough, but when you add in the fact he captained England to the 2003 World Cup, then I think he deserves this accolade.