Era-Smashing XV: Why This Is the Greatest British & Irish Lions Squad You Can Pick

The Greatest British & Irish Lions Squad

Every four years, the Greatest British & Irish Lions Squad debate returns. Fans argue across generations. Coaches compare styles and eras. Yet the appeal stays the same. The red jersey brings the best from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales into one legendary team.

Today, we build an all-time Greatest British & Irish Lions Squad. This side blends historic giants from the 1971 and 1974 tours with modern heroes from the professional era. It leans on big series wins in New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia. It also reflects how the Lions have evolved while maintaining their fearless spirit.

How we chose the Greatest British & Irish Lions Squad

First, any all-time Lions XV is subjective. Different fans favour different tours. Some love the romantic feel of the amateur years. Others prefer the intense detail of the modern, thoroughly professional era. However, a few fair criteria keep the selection grounded.

We look at:

• Test impact against top nations like New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia
• Series wins or key roles in drawn series
• Longevity in the Lions jersey and across multiple tours
• Leadership and big-moment temperament
• Balance across the pack and backline
• Representation of all four home nations over time

Because the Lions have only won a handful of Test series, those victories matter a lot. The 1971 win in New Zealand and the 1974 unbeaten tour in South Africa carry huge weight. Modern squads that claimed series in South Africa in 1997 and Australia in 2013 also shape this Greatest British & Irish Lions Squad.

The all-time Greatest British & Irish Lions Squad – starting XV

Now we name the starting XV. This team aims to win a three-Test series anywhere in the world. It mixes flair, muscle, skill, and nerve.

Front row

1. Loosehead prop – Tom Smith (Scotland)
   Tom Smith anchored the scrum on the famous 1997 tour of South Africa, then did it again in 2001 against Australia. He scrummaged low, intelligent, and strong. He also handled the ball well in open play. That blend of technique, heart, and work rate keeps him in many all-time Lions discussions.
2. Hooker – Keith Wood (Ireland)
   Keith Wood changed what a hooker could be. He threw accurately, carried hard, and chased kicks like a back. He drove the pack in 1997 and captained the Lions in 2001. His energy and leadership suit the Greatest British & Irish Lions Squad perfectly.
3. Tighthead prop – Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
   Modern rugby demands a tighthead who can scrummage and still play with the ball. Tadhg Furlong does both. He shone in the 2017 drawn series in New Zealand and in the brutal Tests in South Africa in 2021. His power and mobility give this front row real balance.

Second row

4. Lock – Willie John McBride (Ireland, captain)
   Willie John McBride symbolises Lions history. He toured five times and holds the record for most Lions Test appearances. He led the 1974 “Invincibles” to a 22-match unbeaten tour in South Africa, including a dominant Test series. That record, plus his toughness and leadership, make him the captain of this Greatest British & Irish Lions Squad.
5. Lock – Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
   Alun Wyn Jones brings modern steel. He toured four times from 2009 to 2021 and became the most-capped player in world rugby. He leads, tackles, and calls lineouts. Together, McBride and Jones form a dream pairing of old-school grit and modern professionalism.

Back row

6. Blindside flanker – Richard Hill (England)
   Richard Hill rarely grabbed headlines. Instead, he did everything else. He tackled, cleared rucks, carried into contact, and linked backs and forwards. He played a crucial role in the 1997 win in South Africa and again in 2001. Coaches trusted him completely, which is vital in a series decider.
7. Openside flanker – Sam Warburton (Wales)
   Sam Warburton captained the Lions to a series win in Australia in 2013 and a dramatic draw in New Zealand in 2017. His work at the breakdown shifted momentum in tight Tests. He tackled low, jackalled cleanly, and made smart calls under pressure.
8. Number eight – Mervyn Davies (Wales)
   Mervyn Davies starred in both 1971 and 1974. He controlled the base of the scrum, claimed lineout ball, and carried with calm power. Those tours brought the Lions two of their greatest ever results, so his place in this Greatest British & Irish Lions Squad feels natural.

Half-backs

9. Scrum-half – Gareth Edwards (Wales)
   Gareth Edwards is still widely classed as one of the finest scrum-halves of all time. He provided quick, accurate service, kicked well, and attacked the blindside with deadly timing. On the 1971 and 1974 tours, he helped turn tight moments into iconic tries.
10. Fly-half – Barry John (Wales)
    Barry John controlled games with elegant skill. He kicked for position, passed flat to his centres, and kept defences guessing. In 1971, he guided the Lions to that famous series win over New Zealand. His short but brilliant Lions career earns him the ten jersey.

Centres

12. Inside centre – Scott Gibbs (Wales)
    Scott Gibbs brought explosive power in midfield. On the 1997 South Africa tour, he smashed through tackles and defended like an extra flanker. His famous line-breaking try in Durban turned the series. That ability to change a Test makes him ideal for this Greatest British & Irish Lions Squad.
13. Outside centre – Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)
    Brian O’Driscoll toured four times and terrified defences with his footwork and vision. He helped secure the 2001 series win over Australia and stayed a key figure right through to 2013. His mix of line-breaking, distribution, and defensive reads gives this side real class at 13.

Back three

11. Left wing – Gerald Davies (Wales)
    Gerald Davies glided past defenders in 1968 and 1971. He scored crucial tries and stepped inside tacklers with ease. Fan polls still rank him as a favourite in all-time Lions XVs.
12. Right wing – Jason Robinson (England)
    Jason Robinson switched from rugby league and lit up the 2001 tour. His try in the first Test in Brisbane changed the mood of the whole series. His acceleration and low centre of gravity trouble any defence, even in today’s faster game.
13. Fullback – JPR Williams (Wales)
    JPR Williams is almost the default Lions fullback in all-time lists. He joined the line like an extra centre, kicked long from hand, and tackled bravely under the high ball. Across the 1971 and 1974 tours he lost only one Test. That record and his aura fit the Greatest British & Irish Lions Squad perfectly.

Bench and unlucky omissions

Because modern rugby expects a strong bench, this squad also needs impact players. A seven- or eight-man replacement group might include:

• Jason Leonard and Gethin Jenkins in the front row
• Paul O’Connell as lock cover
• Lawrence Dallaglio or Dean Richards in the back row
• Mike Gibson or Jonathan Davies in the centres
• George North and Liam Williams or Rob Kearney in the back three

Many other names deserve a mention. Players from the 1997, 2009, 2013, 2017, and 2025 tours keep pushing the debate forward. Recent squads under Andy Farrell, including the 2025 series win in Australia, show that new contenders for the Greatest British & Irish Lions Squad keep emerging.

How the Greatest British & Irish Lions Squad would play

In attack, this side plays with tempo. The front row carries in pods but also offloads when space appears. McBride and Jones secure the lineout ball, then Warburton and Hill hammer the breakdown. As a result, Edwards and John get quick possession.

Because the centres offer different threats, defences cannot drift early. Gibbs runs hard, straight lines. O’Driscoll picks clever angles and can also kick in behind. On the edges, Davies and Robinson look for mismatches. Williams joins the line as a second playmaker when needed.

In defence, the back row sets the tone. Warburton and Hill slow ruck ball. Davies and McBride hit mauls early. The back three stay strong under the high ball. Overall, this Greatest British & Irish Lions Squad looks comfortable in the wet in Wellington or the heat of Brisbane.

Why the Greatest British & Irish Lions Squad debate still matters

Fans search for the Greatest British & Irish Lions Squad because the Lions are more than just a team; rather, they represent a shared project for four nations. With each tour, new stories are created. Moreover, every all-time XV selection sparks further debate and nostalgia.