A host of moments have rightly gone into rugby folklore from those wearing the famous red jersey. This publication celebrates many of those incredible memories – the good, the bad, and the sometimes ugly.
WHEN Andy Farrell’s Lions head to Australia this summer you can guarantee iconic memories will be made.
There is nothing quite like stamping your name into the Lions history books – and in a new, stunning Daily Mirror special edition, we take a look back at the most iconic moments in Lions history. You can buy our special edition here
Down the decades, pretty much in every single battle with New Zealand, South Africa and the Wallabies over the half century and more, the Lions have created a whole host of magical memories which have projected their players into rugby folklore.
As the great Martin Johnson once said, no-one remembers Six Nations or Tri-Nations matches from 12 years ago. Everyone recalls what happened with the Lions though, and stretching into yesteryear as well.
The iconic Class of 1971, dominated by a host of Welsh greats including Gareth Edwards, Barry John and JPR Williams, are still revered as the only team to beat New Zealand.
Fully 54 years on, their wonderful exploits still last the test of time.
Same with Willie John McBride’s 1974 Invincibles, a barnstorming team who fought fire with fire. They introduced their famous ‘99’ call to meet violence with violence, and played some truly dazzling rugby inbetween the chaos to emerge unbeaten on their South African tour.
Who can forget Finlay Calder’s Class of 1989? ‘Finlay’s Fighters’ they were dubbed, the only Lions team to lose the first Test and still emerge victorious after three epic battles with Australia.
How about Jeremy Guscott’s drop goal to down world champions South Africa in 1997, a tour made even more momentous by the brilliant behind the scenes TV documentary which took us right inside the Lions team room.
We’ve witnessed the try-scoring emergence of Brian ‘Waltzing O’Driscoll’ versus the Wallabies in 2001, the huge controversy after he was spear- tackled out of the next tour in New Zealand, the brutal 2009 ‘Battle of Loftus Versfeld’ with the Springboks, which saw five Lions stars hospitalised.
More recently, we’ve had further O’Driscoll controversy, an entire Irish nation outraged as he was axed from the final 2013 Test in Australia. Leigh Halfpenny rescued the day for Warren Gatland with a stunning solo show as the Lions romped to a resounding victory.
There was also what was dubbed ‘the greatest piece of captaincy in rugby history’ as Sam Warburton gently persuaded referee Roman Poite to backtrack on a penalty call which ensured a drawn rubber with New Zealand in 2017.
Amid all of that drama, particular Lions moments have rightly gone into rugby folklore. This Mirror special edition celebrates many of those incredible memories – the good, the bad, and the sometimes ugly.
The Class of 2025 are about to make more iconic memories, building upon the many deeds of legends from the past who are featured in this special edition.
Pride of Lions will be on sale in participating retailers from May 14, 2025. You can buy it online here . Online postage and packaging costs apply.