How did the British and Irish Lions begin?

Three former cricketers, Alfred Shaw, Arthur Shrewsbury, and James Lillywhite, created the British and Irish Lions.

The team first made its first tour in 1888, but it wasn’t officially recognized until 1950 and until 1924 when the name “Lions” was first used.

The goal was to bring together the top rugby players from Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland, and Scotland for tours and competition against international teams.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) responded in kind by declining to sign the 1888 tour.

A Welshman, an Irishman, four Scots, and a majority of Englishmen made up that first squad.

They played in New Zealand and Australia on a 249-day tour, and they won 27 of the 35 games they won.

The RFU granted full support for a tour of South Africa three years later, making it the first ever official international Test series.

Willie John McBride, the Lions’ most-capped player, called a spot on the squad the “supreme prize.”

The ultimate challenge is still to be one of the best 30 players in the four nations, and he said, “to be one of the best 15 players and to be one of the best 15 is to be one of the best 15”.

Being named England’s 2025 squad captain was a “tremendous honour and privilege,” according to England forward Maro Itoje.

He continued, “I’m deeply honoured, humbled, and will do the role justice.”

There is no denying that a Lions call-up was a “dream” for players, according to head coach Andy Farrell.

In a press conference, he said, “You can just tell what the group’s buzz means to them.”

The squad’s youngest member, Henry Pollock, 20, said to BBC Look East, “It was a feeling I will never forget.”

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