Lions v Natal Sharks highlights ('97)

On this day, 25 years ago. A vintage Neil Jenkins performance and a rare try for Lawrence Dallaglio as the Lions ramp up preparations ahead of the first Test against South Africa.

[@thewomble1509]

Arguably the best collective group of Lions players ever. Gibbs was an absolute tank in midfield, Wood put his head where I wouldn't put a steel toe cap, Tom Smith , a pocket sized giant ,Johnno just being Johnno and two superb coaches in Telfer and Geech.

[@darrenclarke3677]

For me it's the iconic series...had everything including the superb documentary made which gave us all the insight involved eith everything around this series

[@thewomble1509]

@@darrenclarke3677 Yes, the documentary of this series is excellent. 👍

[@neverindoubtjones4789]

Sentimental nonsense. Lions will end soon and good riddance.

[@thewomble1509]

@@neverindoubtjones4789 Because?

[@jpmurphy4114]

@@neverindoubtjones4789 ..welsh nonsense..sport breaks barriers ...this is bigger than rugby..I watched staunch irish republicans roaring approval for Jeremy davidson during this series..a lifetime memory..lions will be around long after we're gone

[@shanekeogh3297]

This match show's just what a fabulous and great player Keith Wood was exceptional

[@douglasthomson1169]

So sad we lost the great Tom Smith earlier this year.

[@grahammitchell5444]

Very true, Douglas. A few have gone from that era...

[@revellien]

Massive Rugby League impact with this squad - Tait, Bentley, Gibbs, Quinell, Young, Bateman

[@grahammitchell5444]

Wasn't Gibbs described as being built like a prop...? By Stuart Barnes, I think, who also incidentally was built like a hooker yet played at 10!

[@shanekeogh3297]

So sorry to hear of Tom Smith death this year what a wonderful player he was hope he is in paradise

[@Jamesp1972]

Neil Jenkins, a face only a mother could love, but a fantastic player

[@rjirving]

Brilliant! Keep 'em comming. Loving these.

[@richardmeredith355]

My favourite lions tour

[@Killkenny62]

What a lineup of players on the lions 15, names I'll always remember.

[@pottbank]

I never knew about Tom Smith. It’s such a shame that guys like him never received the recognition and mourning they deserve. What a man! I’m genuinely upset.

[@mahlanguism]

Good score. That was a very good Sharks outfit.

[@spencerjarvis1200]

Got one of those shirts, might be worth a few quid now, great game RIP Tom Smith 🏉

[@MKRM27]

No, there are thousands of them

[@leeturton9254]

If it's in good condition it's definitely worth a few quid...400 plus easily

[@rayjones9786]

Jenkins was superb!

[@grahammitchell5444]

They don't like it up 'em, sir! If I recall correctly, Martin Johnston raced off to have his cheek sown up; you can see the stitches going in and the smear of vaseline in one of the doccos on the tour.

[@ericdavison6186]

Did Jonno go off to get the eyebrow stitched? Slipping on the tiles, his enormous frame thrashed like a puppet ) Just do it he says, no numb jab . My memory ♥️

[@MKRM27]

That’s from the Living with Lions video

[@matthewwardle4261]

Attitude to keep the ball alive, score if you get in the 22, support the man with the ball, come fast and from deep. It’s not rocket science.

[@leannecampbell4551]

Still living in the past 😴 One tour victory out of the last 5!

[@speak_your_truth.]

Cheer up Leeman, is your middle name Karen?

[@leannecampbell4551]

@@speak_your_truth. remain triggered! 😎👌

[@ericdavison6186]

Yup, these were proper boozers!) That stat I did not know) ta. Presently, Welsh and Scots game is dire in structure and support. Do I think they'll produce lion class players in future? No.

[@leannecampbell4551]

@@ericdavison6186 Yip, scrapped a 2-1 series win against one of the worst Wallabies sides in history. Prior to that, their last series success was, as above, ‘97! 😂 Considering their strength in vast depth pulling from four Test sides, their record is absolutely appalling, yet we still have to endure the whole hyperbolic masquerade, of how fantastic the Lions are and what it means to everyone, utterly delusional! 😂 You have to way back to bloody 1971 to locate the last time they overcame the ABs, I mean, come on...it’s just silly! 😂😂😂 I concur with your point on the Welsh and Scots, but it’s almost irrelevant if they do or don’t produce the talent required to be a touring success with the Lions, precisely because no matter which four nations attempt to evolve over the coming years, they are light years behind the Southern Hemisphere right across the paddock. A couple of lucky wins for Ireland over the ABs doesn’t change that...as the Summer tours will prove.

[@speak_your_truth.]

@@leannecampbell4551 don't flatter yourself Karen you don't have the intelligence girl.

[@richardhanson6017]

J

[@ireland2657]

Old stock ...👌

[@neverindoubtjones4789]

Welsh boys outstanding. Carried the rest who were mediocre at best.

[@robertthomas7650]

Neil Jenkins virtually won the game on his own. Good Lions side though 👍

[@MKRM27]

What a prat

[@MKRM27]

@@robertthomas7650 He was the goal kicker…

[@robertthomas7650]

Markome22 Really he was the goal kicker well thanks for that information 👏 He still had to make the kicks didn't he which won the game for thee Lions 🙄

[@simonwilletts7965]

@@robertthomas7650 laurence dallaglio and martin Martin Johnson keith woods average....lol you talk shit mate