2013 british and irish lions tour

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Lions Tour of Australia: All the results

Updated 06/07/2013 at 12:50 GMT

All the results from the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia.

Australia's Wycliff Palu (L) and Ben Mowen (R) tackle British and Irish Lions' George North during their Test match (Reuters)

Image credit: Eurosport

Gatland wants to lead Lions again

04/12/2013 at 11:28

Moore: Tuilagi is a complete prat

17/09/2013 at 11:30

O'Driscoll 'resents' Gatland over Lions axe

05/09/2013 at 11:49

Australia boasts tourist boom, thanks to rugby

02/08/2013 at 03:45

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Lions Tour to Australia 2013

Those fans lucky enough to be in Sydney on Saturday 6 July 2013 will still shut their eyes now and hear the roar of ‘Lions, Lions, Lions’. The noise cascaded down from the stands in Australia and confirmed the first Lions series win since 1997.

It was the culmination of an incredible journey. A six week voyage of discovery that started in the humidity of Hong Kong and ended in the coolness of Sydney combined every emotion, on and off the field.

Rugby people from the four corners of Britain and Ireland came together under one banner to make friendships, experience unique camaraderie on and off the field and discover a wonderful country. The Official Supporter Tours created an on-tour wave of pride that got fans closer to the Lions than ever before. From fantastic eve of Test match special events with a host of Lions legends, an exclusive gala dinner on the eve of the second Test in Melbourne, stunning supporter villages that encapsulated what following the Lions means, the Manic Street Preachers and of course the rugby, it was a tour that will go down in legend.

From Brisbane, to Melbourne and then Sydney, Lions fans converged on cities, attractions, bars, spaces to fly the flag of the Lions. The songs, the smiles, the stories, the anecdotes: There is no other tour like the Lions. It’s the ultimate, on and off the field.

2013 Lions Tour - The winners and losers

• Graham Jenkins

The British & Irish Lions returned to winning ways in spectacular fashion with a 41-16 mauling of Australia in their series-deciding clash in Sydney on Saturday night.

The Lions' thrilling victory brought the curtain down on an enthralling 10-game tour that proved fruitful for some and costly for others. Here we offer our take on the winners and losers...

A tour to remember for...

Gutsy Gatland Lions head coach Warren Gatland endured a difficult few weeks during which time injuries threatened to scupper his plans and controversy surrounding his selection policy caused him to doubt himself - but crucially he was vindicated by his side's victory in the series-deciding third Test. His CV now boasts a victorious Lions tour, Six Nations Grand Slams, Heineken Cup glory and Premiership titles and further success could come at a World Cup where Wales have a significant 'home' advantage. He has expressed an interest in steering the Lions to New Zealand in 2017 and World Cup success would certainly make him favourite to return to the role - but his current Welsh Rugby Union contract does not stretch that far and their rivals may well be interested in his services.

Hotshot Halfpenny Lions fullback Leigh Halfpenny was in simply sensational form throughout the tour with his kicking exploits and game-breaking ability key elements of the tourists' armoury. Following his equally influential heroics during Wales' Six Nations title-winning campaign, his market value is at an all-time high just as he is about to embark on the final season of his current contract with the Cardiff Blues. Halfpenny can surely name his prices and only time will tell if the Blues' coffers - recently bolstered by fresh financial input from the Welsh Rugby Union for the "development, recruitment and retention of Welsh players" - will stretch to his asking price - especially with a certain Sam Warburton also coming off contract at the same time. It seems inevitable that one of maybe even both will be the latest Welsh stars to be lured across the Channel by the riches on offer in France's Top 14.

Advance Australia The Australian Rugby Union made the most of their rare opportunity to share a stage with the Lions. An enthusiastic marketing campaign lured record crowds to Brisbane (52,499), Melbourne (56,771) and Sydney (83,702) with those royally-entertained crowds contributing to a record tour attendance of 389,400 and boosted the ARU's depleted bank balance. More importantly, the Tests have attracted big TV audiences for terrestrial broadcaster Ten Network with pay-TV rival Fox Sports having sold on the free-to-air rights. Rugby's ratings have suffered of late with previous free-to-air broadcaster Channel 9 favouring rival codes when there was a clash in scheduling but the sport appears to have turned a corner with the bumper figures for the Lions tour. Australian rugby may have come up short on the field but the visit of the Lions got turnstiles spinning like never before and their mere presence helped them wrestle some priceless column inches back from their sporting rivals and claim some priceless exposure across all media.

The Lions rediscover their bite Three successive series defeats against the southern hemisphere giants had many casting doubt on the future of the Lions with others suggesting it is perhaps time for them to align with the rest of the continent and become the 'European Lions'. Another series defeat would have made it four-in-a-row for the first time ever and while the lure of the Lions has remained remarkably powerful despite their lack of success there would be increased concerns about the long-term future of the side. The supporters - an estimated 40,000 of them - did their best to allay those fears and so did the players with a priceless victory over the Wallabies that will fuel expectation in the next four years and whet the appetite of South Africa, Australia and New Zealand ahead of talks to finalise the tour schedule post-2017.

Fantastic Folau While the Lions may have filled the stadiums around the country it was a Wallabies player who got the Australian fans up out of their seats - Israel Folau. The former rugby league star and ex-AFL player has gone a long way to delivering on his potential in recent weeks with a two-try performance in the first Test in Brisbane a delight to behold. Injury robbed him of the chance to play a decisive role in the series decider but his pace, vision and all-round ability hint at a brighter future for both him and the Wallabies. The Australian Rugby Union now just need to tie him down to a long-term contract.

A tour for forget for...

Dingo Deans is gone Australian rugby's stock may be on the rise but the same cannot be said of Wallabies coach Robbie Deans. As close as his side may have come to a series victory - who could forgot Kurtley Beale's first Test slip - the record books will show Deans' side came up short and he has paid a heavy price. His decision to wrap his leading players in cotton wool and deny them exposure to the Lions in the warm-up games did not pay dividends while high-profile indiscipline from his players continued to plague his best efforts to get the better of the Lions. His current deal with the Australian Rugby Union was set to run until the end of the year but he has been released from his contract with Ewen McKenzie set to step in.

Shocking scheduling Amid all the jubilation at the Lions' long-awaited success, it is easy to forget that the tour did not get off on the best foot. Obscenely high temperatures and draining humidity greeted them in Hong Kong for an ill-advised tour opener that we are told had nothing to do with the fact it was a key territory for their main sponsors. Further flak would greet them in Australia where fans who had paid a fortune to follow the side to the other side of the world were treated to the sight of their side taking on under-strength opposition. The current tour schedule has one more tour to run in New Zealand in 2017 and any future agreement with SANZAR must come with assurances about the strength of the opposition.

Horwill Horror Wallabies captain James Horwill will not remember the past six weeks that fondly having not only failed to inspire his side to victory against the Lions but also been dragged through a lengthy disciplinary process that saw his credibility questioned. The lock was found not guilty of stamping on his Lions counterpart Alun Wyn Jones - although his clumsy footwork left the Welshman requiring stitches in an eye injury - but had to face another hearing after the International Rugby Board opted to intervene. The rollercoaster of emotion was evident in the wake of his side's second Test triumph when delight soon turned to tears - but his once-in-a-lifetime shot at the Lions would not end well with his side

'Idiotic Rugby Board'? The International Rugby Board did not cover themselves in glory during the Lions tour to the point one Australian newspaper labelled them the 'Idiotic Rugby Board'. The appointment of New Zealand referee Chris Pollock for the first Test baffled many including Lions coach Warren Gatland who questioned whether the Kiwi official had the required experience to take charge of a such a game having taken charge of just 11 Tests to that point. And they courted more trouble with their unprecedented appeal against the decision by an independent disciplinary hearing to clear Australia captain James Horwill of stamping on Lions lock Alun Wyn Jones - the appeal hearing found nothing wrong with the first ruling.

Ordinary O'Connor James O'Connor was finally given a run in the Wallabies' No.10 shirt and while he may have notched a couple of tries, he failed to spark his much-vaunted back line into life. His shortcomings heaped further woe on under-fire coach Robbie Deans, who chose to leave the talented Quade Cooper on the sidelines, and O'Connor did not help his own cause or reputation by being photographed in a fast food joint with team-mate Kurtley Beale at 4am just four days before the must-win second Test. The dust was only just settling on the Wallabies defeat when O'Connor was informed that the Rebels had no interest in re-signing him at the end of the season

Lions announce 2013 fixtures

The 10-match schedule for the 2013 tour to Australia has been announced today. [more]

The 10-match schedule for the 2013 tour to Australia has been announced today.

British & Irish Lions manager Andy Irvine made the announcement at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff at lunchtime. 

The Lions and the Australian Rugby Union have agreed a programme of nine matches for the Tour in Australia, including three Test matches. The Lions will also play an historic match in Hong Kong against the Barbarians on their way to Australia.

“The announcement of the 2013 tour schedule represents another milestone in the rich history of the British & Irish Lions," said Irvine.

"Since 1888 when the Lions embarked on their first ever tour, which happened to be to Australia, the famous red shirt has become an aspirational symbol of achievement for players in Britain and Ireland.

“The Lions receive numerous requests to play matches around the world outside of the traditional tour destinations of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. For 2013 we had the perfect opportunity to play a match in the developing rugby region of Asia, while at the same time break the long journey from Europe to Australia. As has become customary we also wanted 10 matches to maximise the essential pre-Test series build up.

“The last Lions tour to Australia in 2001 heralded the dawn of 'The Red Army' with tens of thousands of English, Irish, Scottish & Welsh tourists and ex-pats wearing the red jersey in support of the Lions. We look forward to another challenging tour to one of the world's most beautiful countries."

The Wallabies finished third at the recent Rugby World Cup and are currently ranked second in the world.

The six-week tour will include the match against the Babaas in Hong Kong, matches against all five Australian Super Rugby teams, a game against New South Wales Country and three Test matches against the Qantas Wallabies in Brisbane (June 22), Melbourne (June 29) and Sydney (July 6).

“With the latest Rugby World Cup tournament completed, a major focus for the rugby world is now the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia in 2013. Lions tours are hugely popular and outside of Rugby World Cup represent one of the game’s major show pieces with global media coverage and ticket sales testament to their popularity,” added Lions chairman Gerald Davies.

“It has to be said that the last two series' between the Wallabies and the Lions have been memorable. In 1989 and 2001 both three-Test series went down to the last match. Of course the Lions were victorious in the series in 1989 but the Wallabies had their revenge in 2001. I am sure that the 2013 series will be just as competitive with the tour reigniting the fierce but respectful rivalry that exists between the two sides.”

The last tour by the Lions to Australia was a decade ago when the Lions played 10 matches including three Tests. They won seven matches, including the first Test against the Wallabies, and lost three. These defeats were against Australia A and the Wallabies in the second and third internationals. The vital third Test was won by the Wallabies 16–13 at Stadium Australia, Sydney, in front of a crowd of 84,188 as the Wallabies clinched the series.

Giles Morgan, group head of sponsorship, HSBC Holdings plc added, “Today marks the beginning of another exciting journey for HSBC, our staff and customers, as we build towards the British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia. The Lions resonates particularly well with HSBC’s target audience, and this sponsorship enables us to engage with four of our key markets in the UK, Ireland, Hong Kong and Australia. There is already great anticipation from our staff and customers around the world and, with the dates and destinations now confirmed, the countdown has truly begun for what promises to be another thrilling Lions tour.”

Fans can now guarantee their place on the Lions tour with Lions Rugby Travel, the official travel company of the British & Irish Lions (http://www.lionstour.com). The official Lions travel company will offer fans an unprecedented range of official ticket inclusive packages from fully escorted tours through to return international flights and match ticket options.

It will also be possible for fans to create their own tour itineraries around the destinations they want to see most in Australia. For more information, fans can visit lionstour.com or call 0844 788 4070 to guarantee their place on tour now.

The venues, kick off times and broadcasting schedule will be confirmed in due course.

Lions tour to Australia 2013

Sat June 1  – Lions v Barbarians (Hong Kong)

Wed June 5 – Lions v Western Force (Perth)

Sat June – Lions v Queensland Reds (Brisbane)

Wed June 12  – Lions v Combined NSW & Queensland Country (Newcastle)

Sat June 15 – Lions v NSW Waratahs (Sydney)

Tue June 18 – Lions v ACT Brumbies (Canberra)

Sat June 22  – Lions v Australia (Brisbane)

Tue June 25 – Lions v Melbourne Rebels (Melbourne)

Sat June 29 – Lions v Australia (Melbourne)

Sat July 6 – Lions v Australia (Sydney)

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British and Irish Lions tour 2013: The incredible story of the 17 post-war Lions tours

Gareth Rogers brings you a potted history of every post-war British and Irish Lions tour ahead of the looming trip Down Under to face Australia

• 14:33, 25 MAY 2013
• Updated 15:11, 25 MAY 2013

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As the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour begins, Gareth Rogers delves into the rugby history books to take a look at how the 17 post-war tours have panned out for the tourists .

From 1950 to 2009, the world has witnessed some of the most remarkable battles staged on the rugby field.

1950 – NEW ZEALAND and AUSTRALIA

(Lost 0-3, with 1 draw in New Zealand & won 2-0 in Australia)

Coach: Leslie Osborne (England)

Captain: Karl Mullen (Ireland)

The 1950 tour saw the Lions bedecked in their new red jerseys after ditching the traditional navy – reportedly sparking a new post-war era of flowing British rugby. Outside half Jack Kyle and wing Ken Jones were joined in the back-line by star Welsh centres Jack Matthews and Bleddyn Williams.

But even against some of the most talented backs the New Zealanders had faced, the power of the home forwards gave the hosts enough to win. The Lions drew the first Test 9-9, before losing the second 8-0, the third 6-3 and the fourth 11-8.

In Australia, they were dominant, winning the first Test 19-6 and scoring five tries in a 24-3 success.

1955 – SOUTH AFRICA

Coach: Jack Siggins (Ireland)

Captain: Robin Thompson (Ireland)

The 1955 Lions bettered their predecessors by taking their popularity to unprecedented heights – blowing away the myth of Springbok invincibility by scoring 26 tries in the four Tests.

The Lions won the first 23-22 in one of the best international matches played, but the rubber was squared in the second with the Springboks winning 25-9.

The tourists won the third 9-6 to set up a grandstand finish with the Boks facing a first home defeat in 50 years. But the South Africans salvaged the situation with a 22-8 victory. 

1959 – AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

(Won 2-0 in Australia and lost 1-3 in New Zealand)

Coach AW Wilson (Ireland)

Captain: Ronnie Dawson (Ireland)

The 1959 tour saw Irish representation, led by skipper Ronnie Dawson, greater than that of the Welsh, English and Scots for the first time.

Dawson's team got the tour off to a flier with two wins in Australia before heading for tougher challenges in New Zealand.

The Lions were felled by one point in Dunedin before losing the next two Tests 11-8 and 22-8, before pride was salvaged in Auckland as the Lions battled to a 9-6 final Test win.

1962 – SOUTH AFRICA

(Lost 0-3 with 1 draw)

Captain: Harry McKibbin (Ireland)

Coach: Arthur Smith (Scotland)

After their exploits in 1955, the Lions arrived in South Africa seven years later with their cards well and truly marked.

A giant pack, featuring the likes of Syd Millar, Keith Rowlands and future captains Mike Campbell-Lamerton and Willie John McBride, were not strong enough to overcome the Springboks.

They drew the first Test 3-3, but then went down 0-3, 3-8 and 14-34.

1966 – AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

(Won 2-0 in Australia and lost 0-4 in New Zealand)

Coach: John Robbins (Wales)

Captain: Mike Campbell-Lamerton (Scotland)

After winning 2-0 in Australia, the trip across the Tazman Sea to New Zealand handed this group of Lions a forgettable experience.

The Lions had quality in their backline in the shape of stand-off David Watkins and centre Mike Gibson, while the pack boasted players of the class of Willie John McBride, Brian Price and Jim Telfer. But from the moment they touched down in New Zealand they were doomed, losing their opening game to unfancied Southland and subsequently defeated in three of their first five fixtures. The four Tests were also lost, three by substantial margins and things were so bad skipper Mike Campbell-Lamerton dropped himself. Wales outside-half David Watkins took over the captaincy and is the only man in history to have captained the Lions and the Great Britain rugby league team.

1968 – SOUTH AFRICA

Coach: Ronnie Dawson (Ireland)

Captain: Tom Kiernan (Ireland)

Tom Kiernan's 1968 tourists may have lost the Tests 3-0 with one match drawn, but they re-established the Lions spirit that had been sapped by the trials of 1966. The Welsh stars Gareth Edwards, Barry John and Gerald Davies came to the party and tested the powerful hosts behind their dominant scrum.

But a number of injuries broke the tourists' rhythm and sparked a  25-20 first test defeat. The second was drawn 6-6, but then the Springboks won 11-6 and 19-6. The Lions of 1968 went home defeated but pride had been restored after the horrors experienced by their predecessors.

1971 – NEW ZEALAND

(Won 2-1 with 1 draw)

Coach: Carwyn James (Wales)

Captain: John Dawes (Wales)

Barry John was the undoubted star of the 1971 team who became the only Lions side to triumph against New Zealand in their own backyard. Barry (pictured) was the prize asset in a glittering team which also featured Gareth Edwards, JPR Williams, David Duckham, Mike Gibson and Gerald Davies.

The outside-half sensation slotted two penalties in the first Test to see the Lions home 9-3, but two tries from his pal Gerald Davies could not prevent a 22-12 defeat in the second. The third Test was the one that propelled Barry into the limelight. A try, two conversions and a drop-goal from the Welsh wizard were supplemented by another Davies try as the Lions won 13-3. In the final Test, with the scores tied at 11-11, JPR Williams received the ball 45 metres out before scoring a fantastic drop-goal. Laurie Mains scored another penalty to tie the match, but the magnificent Lions came home with an amazing win. The Lions have never looked back, becoming a public institution.

1974 – SOUTH AFRICA

(Won 3-0 with 1 draw)

Coach: Syd Millar (Ireland)

Captain: Willie John McBride (Ireland)

With another strong Welsh influence, the invincible Lions of 1974 will probably always be thought of as the strongest touring team.

Denied a 4-0 whitewash by a controversial refereeing call, Willie John McBride, JPR and JJ Williams, Mervyn Davies, Phil Bennett, Gareth Edwards and company created the infamous '99 call' in which they joined in if any punch-ups were started by the South Africans. Edwards and Bennett scored the Lions points in a 12-3 win in the opening Test in Cape Town before asserting their dominance in the second with a 28-9 rout in Pretoria. The third in Port Elizabeth will be remembered as the most violent in Lions history as McBride instigated the 99 call when the home side cut up rough. But the Lions won 26-9 and set up a whitewash shot in Johannesburg. A controversial decision by the South African referee enabled the Springboks to snatch a 13-13 draw.

1977 – NEW ZEALAND

Coach: John Dawes (Wales)

Captain: Phil Bennett (Wales)

A combination of factors condemned the Lions to a 3-1 defeat in a tour that most of its participants were happy to forget after being repeatedly soaked during one of New Zealand’s wettest winters on record. The Lions lost the first test 16-12 , won the second but went down 19-7 and 10-9 to lose the rubber 3-1.

1980 – SOUTH AFRICA

Coach: Noel Murphy (Ireland)

Captain: Bill Beaumont (England)

England stalwart Bill Beaumont was given the dubious honour of leading the controversial Lions tour of 1980 to apartheid South Africa. When several of the stars pulled out with injuries and the British government announced its opposition to the tour, a win always seemed a tall order. The tourists went down 26-22 in the first Test and 26-19 in the second. A 12-10 defeat followed in the third game, before a 17-13 win meant they avoided a whitewash.

1983 – NEW ZEALAND

Coach: Jim Telfer (Scotland)

Captain: Ciaran Fitzgerald (Ireland)

Captain Ciaran Fitzgerald had led Ireland to a Triple Crown, but could not inspire the tourists to victory and was fortunate not to be dropped with Scotland’s Colin Deans a superior hooker.

One try was enough for New Zealand to seal the tight opening Test 16-12 while at windy Wellington the home team’s half time lead of 9-0 was enough to hand them a 2-0 advantage. Fitzgerald’s team actually outscored New Zealand two tries to one in the third showpiece but were still edged out 15-8, before being blown away by a record 38-6 victory in the finale.

1989 – AUSTRALIA

Coach: Ian McGeechan (Scotland)

Captain: Finlay Calder (Scotland)

The Australians hosted their first full Lions tour since 1899 and the Wallabies won the opening Test 30-12. That sparked wholesale changes for the tourists a week later in Brisbane. A shoving match, between warring scrum-halves Robert Jones and Aussie captain Nick Farr-Jones sparked a punch-up. When the rugby re-started, the Lions won 19-12 thanks to a memorable Jeremy Guscott try, while Ieuan Evans capitalised on David Campese’s error to clinch the decisive third Test 19-18.

1 993 – NEW ZEALAND

Captain: Gavin Hastings (Scotland)

The last amateur Lions touring squad featured 17 English players, as the team from Twickenham had dominated the previous Five Nations. Grant Fox slotted a penalty with the last kick of the game to claim the first Test. The tourists upped their game a week later and walked away with a 20-7 win, as Englishmen Rory Underwood, Martin Johnson and Dean Richards starred. In superb form, the Lions sniffed a rare win in New Zealand but, despite edging into a 10-point lead early in the decisive match, Sean Fitzpatrick's side had other ideas and fought back to clinch a stunning 30-13 victory in Auckland.

1997 – SOUTH AFRICA

Coach: Ian McGeechan

Captain: Martin Johnson (England)

Even though the Lions were full-time rugby players, the world champion Springboks were expected to teach the tourists a lesson in professionalism. But with the inspirational Scottish coaching duo of Ian McGeechan and master motivator Jim Telfer directing things, and captain fantastic Martin Johnson refusing to take a backward step, the Lions used their touring solidarity to their advantage. They were under the pump at forward but Welsh wonder Neil Jenkins, playing out of position at full back, kept the Lions' scoring ticking over with his goal-kicking. Scrum half Matt Dawson was the first Test idol with a brazen dummy that led to a try before wing Alan Tait sealed an epic 18-15 win by going over in the corner. After 77 minutes of the gruelling second Test the scores were level at 15-15 when Jeremy Guscot chipped an unlikely drop goal. South Africa finally got it right in the closing Test to win 35-16, but this was the tour which prompted a renewed surge of interest in the Lions, the brand growing into a vast money-making machine.

2001 – AUSTRALIA

Coach: Graham Henry (New Zealand)

Captain: Martin Johnson

Wales coach Graham Henry was controversially chosen to lead the 2001 Lions, the New Zealander becoming the first non-British Isles man to do so. But despite having the master tactician in charge and being led again by captain marvel Martin Johnson, the Lions class of 2001 went home as the first tourists to lose a rubber in Australia. Johnson’s team convincingly won the opener 29-13 at The Gabba with Dafydd James, Jason Robinson, Scott Quinnell and Brian O’Driscoll scoring spectacular tries. But the key moment of the tour came just before half-time of the second Test in Melbourne. With the Lions leading 11-6, breakdown boss Richard Hill was concussed and the Wallabies roared back to win 35-14. The third Test was level at 23-23 with 12 minutes left, but two Matt Burke penalties and lock Justin Harrison picking off Keith Wood’s throw intended for Johnson at a line-out ensured the home team triumphed.

2005 – NEW ZEALAND

Captain: Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)

Coach: Sir Clive Woodward (England)

On the back of England's 2003 World Cup win, Sir Clive Woodward had hoped to engineer another antipodean success but key players had retired and there was an horrendous injury count. When captain Brian O’Driscoll dislocated his shoulder inside two minutes of the opening rubber, the Lions’ cause looked doomed. And it was. The Blacks triumphed 21-3 and a certain Dan Carter, with 33 points, ripped the team being skippered by Gareth Thomas apart 48-18 in the second Test. Graham Henry might have failed with the 2001 Lions but he had a huge smile on his face as the humiliation was completed when New Zealand triumphed 38-19 during the final game.

2009 – SOUTH AFRICA

Captain: Paul O'Connell (Ireland)

This was a tour on which the old values of the Lions were brought back, with Ian McGeechan at the coaching helm for the fourth time and Gerald Davies next to him as team manager.

The Boks took the first Test 26-21, despite a strong Lions second half performance, led by Wales’ Mike Phillips and England's Tom Croft, who crossed for two tries. In Pretoria for the second Test, the Lions led 16-8 at half time and looked in line to square the rubber, but the loss of Welsh props Adam Jones and Gethin Jones to injury resulted in uncontested scrums. That enabled South Africa front-foot ball for No 8 Pierre Spies to burst away and put wing Bryan Habana over for a vital try.

Super-sub Morne Steyn landed the winning kick in a 28-25 victory and although the patched-up Lions battled back to win the final Test in Johannesburg 28-9, Shane Williams touching down twice, to equal their biggest victory in South Africa, it was too little.

2013 - AUSTRALIA

(Result to be decided)

Coach: Warren Gatland (New Zealand)

Captain: Sam Warburton (Wales)

The waiting is almost at an end - battle is about to commence.

Can Warren Gatland's Lions end 16 years of hurt and return from the other side of the world with a first series victory since 1997?

The first Test will be held in Brisbane on June 22: You can find full details and timings of all fixtures here

Here are the men who carry the  hopes of four proud rugby nations this summer

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Lions Raw: Forgotten moments from the British & Irish Lions 2013 tour documentary

Sky Sports have been showing all of the Lions tour documentaries from 1997 to 2017 over recent weeks. Here, we pick out some of the memorable moments from the film covering the 2013 tour to Australia

By Sky Sports Rugby Union

Tuesday 2 February 2021 21:17, UK

After being edged out 2-1 in the Test series 12 years earlier, the British & Irish Lions returned to Australia in 2013 celebrating their 125th anniversary.

New Zealander Warren Gatland was now at the helm after serving as forwards coach in South Africa four years ago and it once again proved a close-fought contest between the Lions and the Wallabies.

This time though, it was the tourists who won the series and all of the behind-the-scenes and on-field drama was captured in the 'Lions Raw' documentary.

'Living With The Pride' forgotten moments

• 'Inside the Lions Den' forgotten moments
• 'Up Close And Personal' forgotten moments

Here, we look at some of the memorable moments you may have forgotten…

1. Warburton on captaincy

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Sam Warburton was named as captain for the 2013 tour and the Wales international became the youngest person to skipper the Lions aged just 24.

It goes without saying Warburton was under no illusions about how much an honour it was to lead the team on tour and he gave an insight into how much it meant to him just to be pulling on the shirt as player as well.

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2. The Lions hit the beach

Prior to arriving in Australia, the Lions stopped off in Hong Kong for a match against the Barbarians which saw the squad contend with stifling heat and humid conditions while they were there.

What better way to recover from that after landing in Australia, then, than heading to the beach for a rest and recuperation session before getting down to the hard work?

3. Lions dance-off

One of the great rugby traditions on tour is the fines committee, who are responsible for dolling out punishments for those who infringe the arcane rules governing the squad's conduct.

Early on in the tour, three of the squad had to take the punishment of a performing dance-off - without music - much to the amusement of their fellow tourists.

4. Geech's shirt presentation

It is a regular occurrence for former Lions to present the shirts to the players chosen for the first Test and this time Gatland called on Sir Ian McGeechan to perform the ceremony.

Having served under McGeechan in South Africa, Gatland could hardly think of anyone better to take that role and as usual the iconic Lions player and coach had plenty of words of wisdom too.

5. Zebo's phone call forfeit

Another victim of the fines committee, and this time it was Ireland winger Simon Zebo who fell afoul of them and was given an onerous task.

Zebo was made to call his Munster head coach Rob Penney and ask if he was being considered for the captaincy the following season - although fortunately Penney saw the funny side of it too.

6. The dramatic third Test

The first two Tests of the series had come down to the final plays, with the Lions edging the first 23-21 and Australia squeezing past the tourists in the second 16-15.

As with 12 years prior, it all came down to the deciding Test in Sydney - but this time it was the Lions who emerged victorious with a devastating display inside the final 25 minutes to claim a memorable triumph.

Watch the last of the British & Irish Lions tour documentaries on Sky Sports on Tuesday, February 9. 'Uncovered', which follows the 2017 tour of New Zealand, airs at 10pm on Sky Sports Arena.

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British and Irish Lions 2013 tour dates

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2013 British and Irish Lions Squad Announced

Andy Farrell under no obligation to pick 2025 Lions squad from all four nations

A ndy Farrell will be given freedom to pick any player or coach he wants for the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia next summer, after the head coach was told he will not be constrained by any pressure to ensure that all four nations are represented, Telegraph Sport can reveal.

Farrell has also been given licence to select eligible players who are based in France, whose growing number include his son Owen, the former England captain, Courtney Lawes, Jack Willis and Kyle Sinckler , even if it means they will not be available for the start of the nine-game tour because of Top 14 commitments – or they are not current international players.

It is thought to be the first time a Lions coach has been given complete freedom to select any player he wants. Before the first professional tour in 1997, squad selection involved representatives from each of the four home unions and a policy of horse-trading was common. Even Warren Gatland, head coach for the last three tours, felt a responsibility, implied or otherwise, to ensure that all four nations were represented in some way in both his squad composition and coaching staff.

On current form, that would see the Lions squad dominated by Ireland and England players with Wales, who have so often been strongly represented on tours, struggling for any representatives.

“It will be absolutely merit-based, this is about being the ‘best of the best’ and we have to fiercely protect that,” Ben Calveley, the Lions chief executive, told Telegraph Sport . “Things like quotas would not be in line with that mentality.

“Squad selection is entirely down to Andy and his assistant coaches. He has a completely free hand to select the players that he thinks will give us the best chance of being successful down in Australia. There are no restrictions at all. It is right down to Andy. If he thinks a player will make a difference, he can bring them in.”

Calveley confirmed that those eligible players based in France next season, which also includes Billy and Mako Vunipola, Blair Kinghorn, Lewis Ludlam, David Ribbans, Joe Marchant and Henry Arundell, will not be handicapped by their Top 14 commitments – the French league is not due to finish before the Lions depart for Australia.

“If you look at prep time, one of the things I am most pleased about is the partnership that we’ve agreed with Premiership Rugby and the URC that means we will have more time with the players than we’ve had for a long time.

“We have the ability to have that fixture against Argentina in Dublin which helps us prepare and get ready for going down to Australia. And when you look down at the whole number of fixtures, we’ve got 10, and six of them happen before the first Test and eight of them happen before the second Test. So there’s opportunities for Andy to be trialling combinations and all the things that he needs to do to build that cohesion before you get to the real sharp end of the tour.

“We have often had players who come into the tour from France. We had Finn Russell, who was at Racing 92, join the tour to South Africa in 2021. As of today we have a schedule and access to players that I think is better than it has been in the past and are maximising Andy’s chance of being successful. What I don’t know is how many of our players will be based where.”

Complete freedom of choices also applies to coaching staff

Farrell is due to take up his position on December 1, with Simon Easterby set to take over as interim Ireland head coach. Farrell is expected to appoint his coaching team and backroom staff before the start of the Six Nations in February next year.

As Telegraph Sport revealed in January, the appointments will not include Steve Borthwick, who has ruled himself out of contention to focus on his England commitments but could include attack coach Richard Wigglesworth or defence coach Felix Jones.

Significantly Farrell will also not face any constraints in terms of the make-up of his selection or whether they are based overseas, which could bring into contention coaches like Shaun Edwards, his former team-mate with rugby league’s Wigan Warriors, who is currently working as France’s defence coach.

“Again there will be no restrictions at all,” Calveley added. “We are trying to provide for the players an environment that maximises their chances of being successful. They get selected because they are the best of the best and they deserve to have all of the support personnel in place who are also the best of the best. That’s the focus for us, getting a team in place on the field and off the field that gives us the very best chance of being successful.

“Now, all of that said, of course, this is the British and Irish Lions and so you do want there to be a flavour of the different unions and if you look back over the past tours, it’s generally been the case that that’s how things end up, but I don’t think you need any sort of principles to be imposed from above for that to happen because there’s real strength in all of the countries that make up the Lions. That just happens organically, but it is very much about protecting merit-based selections.”

Twice the number of travelling fans compared to 2013

It is almost a year to the day that the Lions are due to open their tour with a game against Western Force in Perth and Calveley revealed that ticket sales and travel packages have already broken all previous records.

“We could have sold our pre-tour fixture against Argentina in Dublin five times over and we’ve got more people travelling with us down to Australia than we have ever had and we still have a year to go,” Calveley added.

“As of today, we have more than twice the number of fans who came with us on the last tour in 2013. To give you an idea of how big this [travel] programme is, 20 per cent of all hotels in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney are booked in the name of the Lions.

“When Rugby Australia released their tickets, they were all hoovered up within minutes, not just the Test matches but all of the non-Test fixtures as well so we should be looking at a record crowd for a Lions tour in Australia.”

Calveley said that he has currently engaged in negotiations with his Australian counterpart Phil Waugh about finding new opposition for the match which had been scheduled against the Melbourne Rebels between the first and second Tests, after the Rebels were shut down in the wake of entering financial administration.

“It is well documented what has happened there, we have got a very close relationship with Rugby Australia and Phil Waugh and his team. They are now considering alternatives. There is an absolute firm commitment that there will be a fixture that will replace the Rebels and will happen in Melbourne on the date that was originally intended. Andy and I will have our views on the opposition and will have a discussion with Phil and between us come up with an opposition we think is right for that point of the tour. We will be pushing for the discussions to be concluded as soon as possible.”

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How They Met: Sporting stars aligned for Donncha O'Callaghan when he started dating wife Jenny

Retired Ireland and Munster rugby hero Donncha O'Callaghan has found his true match with his wife Jenny Harte.

He may come across as a big toughie as a coach on Ireland's Fittest Family, but Donncha, 44, is an absolutely adoring husband and doting father to their four children.

Here's everything we know about their love story.

They met through mutual friends

Donncha and Jenny met in a 'typical Cork' way, he told RSVP .

'You grow up with groups of friends that know each other, she went to school in St. Angela's and I was in Christians and we had mutual friends,' he told the publication.

'We were never close but we were in the same circles,' he said and he explained that while they were seeing each other for a bit there was 'no real commitment' because he was focused on his rugby career.

After they began dating though, the sporting stars seemingly aligned for the Cork rugby player.

'Jenny likes to slag me because I was subbing for Cork Con [rugby team] before we started going out and within six months of me and her going official I had an Ireland cap and a few months later I was going on a Lions tour,' he said.

Their engagement followed on the heels of another rugby star's announcement

News of Donncha and Jenny's engagement broke in April 2009 two weeks after Brian O'Driscoll and Amy Huberman announced they were tying the knot.

The Irish Independent reported at the time that their engagement news was warmly welcomed by Donncha's mother Marie whom he is very close with. Donncha's father Hughie sadly died when he was young.

Their wedding was sports star-studded

The couple said 'I do' to each other on December 23 that same year with rugby stars including Brian O'Driscoll (and then-fianceé Amy Huberman), Ronan O'Gara, Jamie Heaslip, David Wallace, the late Anthony Foley, Peter Stringer, Gordon D'Arcy, and more in attendance.

Jenny wore an elegant, off-the-shoulder white gown and their ceremony took place at St Columba's Church in Douglas, County Cork.

The church was decked out with statement blooms and Irish soprano Cara O'Sullivan served up a spine-tingling soundtrack.

They celebrated their reception with over 300 guests at Maryborough House Hotel in Cork.

They shared their first dance as husband and wife to The Calling's Wherever You Will Go and they recreated a sweet wedding moment when they returned to the venue for their 12th wedding anniversary in 2021.

They have four kids together

In August 2010, Donncha and Jenny's lives were forever changed with the birth of their daughter Sophie.

The couple welcomed their second daughter Anna in September 2012 and their youngest daughter Robin came along in October 2013.

Their son Jake completed their clan when he arrived in the world in September 2015.

It was his father Hughie’s death at just 40 years of age that taught Donncha to value the important things in life and he sweetly revealed that his main goal is to be a 'deadly dad'.

His mother had to bring up her five children alone after she was widowed at the young age of 36 and Donncha admitted that he doesn’t know how she did it.

He said, ‘Being a dad now myself… my mam never faltered. She never looked weak. And she kind of instilled this kind of belief in us that, one, the comfort that we knew we were going to be ok.’

Standing shoulder to shoulder through it all

Jenny has been by Donncha's side through every exciting twist and turn of his career.

In 2018, after an illustrious 20-year career that saw him win two European Cups, three Celtic Leagues, as well as being part of the Six Nations Grand Slam-winning line-out and securing 94 caps for Ireland, Donncha hung up his rugby boots.

He has since gone on to have a flourishing career as a pundit and he threw a curveball when he joined RTÉ 2's breakfast show with Doireann Garrihy and Carl Mullan.

He also tackled the world of Irish showbiz further by joining Ireland's Fittest Family.

Career upheavel

Life presented another twist of fate when Donncha announced that he was leaving the breakfast show, weeks after Doireann Garrihy's departure.

The shock news left fans wondeing what's next for him but we will still be seeing him on Ireland's Fittest Family and he also teased 'excitig rugby projects.'

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Donncha O’Callaghan (@donnchaocallaghan)

'I'm sure we’d all agree, it’s never easy to step away from something you really enjoy doing.

'Friday the 5th July will be my last ‘2FM Breakfast’ Show. I’m so incredibly grateful and proud of the last five years in 2FM, I’ve absolutely loved it,' he announced.

Whever else we see Donncha in the comign weeks no doubt his wife and kids will be his proudest cheerleaders every step of the way.

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Steven Caulker to Lokomotiv Moscow and 13 other bizarre British moves abroad

If you thought the former Liverpool defender's possible move to Russia was weird, you've obviously forgotten about these other intrepid British footballers...

• 18:23, 31 JAN 2017
• Updated 18:43, 31 JAN 2017

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Hang on… what?

Steven Caulker, the former Liverpool centre-back to… Lokomotiv Moscow?

As weird deadline day deals go, the idea of the man who once scored a goal for England (yes, really - against Sweden in 2012) and was once Jurgen Klopp's back-up centre-forward (sort of) going to Russia seems particularly peculiar.

And yet, that very deal is reportedly very close to happening - as this Lokomotiv tweet appears to confirm:

However, even if this deal goes get completed, Caulker won't be the first British footballer to make a frankly inexplicable move abroad in recent times. In fact, he will join a (surprisingly) long line of Brits who've plied their trade overseas in bizarre and baffling circumstances.

Whether they were profoundly average, a bit past it or simply unsuited to life in a foreign land, here are the 13 weirdest British moves of all time.

Joe Hart to Torino

The last Englishman to sign for a very unlikely foreign club, Hart's move last summer took everyone by surprise (well, everyone bar Pep Guardiola).

After all, it's not like many Englishmen decide to leave these shores and have a crack at Serie A. There is a good reason Hart will be the first British keeper to play in Italy's top flight for more than 80 years.

Steven Fletcher to Marseille

Undoubtedly the highlight of January 2016's Transfer Deadline Day, the Sunderland striker's loan move to Marseille sounded like a joke - until you realised it wasn't.

To give you some idea of how it worked out, the Scotland international is now playing for Sheffield Wednesday.

Jermaine Pennant to Real Zaragoza

Though he was one of the most exciting youngsters in the country during his time at Arsenal , Jermaine Pennant's career was on something of a downward spiral by the summer of 2009.

Several underwhelming years at Liverpool had seen the winger's stock fall rapidly in England, but that didn't put Zaragoza off. Unfortunately, within months of his signing, it became clear that Jermaine was neither acclimatising to life in Spain nor performing well on the pitch.

No surprises, then, when he was speedily sent back to the far less exotic surroundings of Stoke. Ah, that's better.

Ian Harte to Levante

Ian Harte is the odd one out here - he's Irish, not British - but he definitely deserves to be included anyway.

A hardy full-back forged in the fires of the Premier League, he was hot property in the summer of 2004. Bizarrely, however, he ended up moving to newly promoted La Liga side Levante.

The club were relegated, and he ended up playing a season in the Segunda Division. Thankfully, compatriot Roy Keane soon ended his misery and signed him for Sunderland.

Joey Barton to Marseille

Continental, cool, sexily nonchalant; these are the typically French characteristics that Joey Barton would like to possess, but ultimately does not.

After going completely bananas at Manchester City on the last day of the 2011/12 season, the then-QPR player was slapped with a hefty fine and twelve-match ban. Accordingly, he left England behind and made a dream loan move to Marseille.

This surreal interview basically sums up his time there.

Anton Ferdinand to Antalyaspor

What is it with QPR players and bizarre moves abroad?

Anton Ferdinand is a strong, prosaic centre-back, well suited to Championship football by the time he decided to leave West London. What he was doing moving to Turkey to play for Antalyaspor, we'll never know.

Now at Reading, which seems a far better fit.

Dean Saunders to Benfica

Once a promising young striker with Liverpool, the earnest Welshman was long past his best by the time he linked up with former Reds manager Graeme Souness at Benfica in 1998.

Unfortunately, the occasional goal didn't really hack it as far as the Portuguese giants were concerned. Quickly shipped off to Bradford.

Barry Venison to Galatasaray

Officially introduced the mullet to Turkey after making a move from Newcastle to Istanbul in 1995.

Another Souness masterstroke here. Played a handful of games, then moved on along with Graeme himself.

Alan Hutton to Mallorca

Alan Hutton trying to shut out Cristiano Ronaldo is probably one of the most surreal things we have ever seen.

Never, ever suited to La Liga football, his loan spell with Los Bermellones was short and (not very) sweet.

Michael Mancienne to Hamburg

When you've spent most of your young career on perpetual loan at Wolverhampton Wanderers, where do you go next?

To Bundesliga giants Hamburg, of course!

Luther Blissett to AC Milan

After well over 250 appearances for Watford, the sprightly young striker raised some eyebrows when he joined European behemoths AC Milan in the summer of 1983.

A fairly average spell with the Rossoneri led to cruel rumours that they'd mistakenly signed him instead of then-teammate John Barnes. Either way, Blissett didn't think much of Italy. He once famously complained: "No matter how much money you have here, you can't seem to get Rice Krispies".

Jay Bothroyd to Perugia

Speaking of bizarre moves to Italy, do you remember Jay Bothroyd's ill-fated spell with Perugia?

Having moved from Coventry to Umbria, the culture shock proved too much for poor Jay. He was loaned back to Blackburn Rovers after barely a year with the club, before eventually joining Charlton Athletic.

Kyle Lafferty to Palermo

The only Northern Irishman on our list, Lafferty was never likely to adapt to life in sultry Sicily after all those years playing for Rangers in gritty Glasgow.

Moved to Norwich City after a year with The Aquile. Mmmm, exotic Norwich.

So there we have it. Those are the most bizarre, inexplicable and (in most cases) ill-advised moves abroad that British players have ever made.

And we haven't even mentioned the Chinese Super League yet…

Whose transfer abroad was the weirdest, 0+ votes so far.

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Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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