The All-Time Greatest British & Irish Lions XV

This video is a compilation of the dream lions XV
1. Ian Mclauchlan
2. Keith wood
3. Fran cotton
4. Martin Johnson
5. Willie John McBride
6. Sam Warburton
7. Richard Hill
8. Lawrence Dallaglio
9. Gareth Edwards
10. Barry John
11. Jason Robinson
12. Jeremy Guscott
13. Brian O’Driscoll
14. Tony O’Reilly
15. JPR Williams
The British and Irish Lions

[@karenlawrence7202]

Not one person has argued with JPR selection. What a player

[@MickyBrownEye1]

Gibson has to be in the team for Guscott. We can debate Dallaglio v Davis or Cotton v Price etc. but Gibson is a shoe-in. The All Blacks were in awe of him and rightly so. One of the greatest centres ever to play the game and a likely starter in most peoples World XV.

[@Joe_Kennedy_Lynch]

Not Guscott for sure and not Dallaglio and JJ Williams for Robinson, Jason Lenard at 1 Willie john Mcbride at 4 and paul O’Connell at 5 personally

[@rampageclover9788]

Guscott is overrated...and an arrogant prick as well

[@jonnybaynham1689]

My XV: 1. Ian Mclauchlin 2. Keith Wood 3. Graham Price 4. Martin Johnson 5. WJ McBride 6. Richard Hill 7. Fergus Slattery 8. Mervyn Davies 9. Gareth Edwards 10. Barry John 11. Gerald Davies 12. John Dawes 13. Brian O'Driscoll 14. Tony O'Reilly 15. JPR Williams

[@imanomad557]

What a fantastic team, made the hairs stand up, the atmosphere would be electric.

[@ronansavage7918]

I’d have mike Gibson

[@WaferBrik]

@@ronansavage7918 Surely anyone who saw him play would have to.

[@rellufsh]

Gerald Davies ahead of Robinson, Mervyn Davies ahead of Dallaglio and Mike Gibson ahead of Guscott.

[@dazeng4633]

Clown

[@WaferBrik]

I'd agree with all those selections. Gerald Davies was a phenom, unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much footage of him in action. *Disclaimer: He once gave me a mint in the crowd at Rodney Parade.*

[@Round_07]

You could debate all day long. Perhaps: Mike Gibson for Guscott; Mike Teague for Sam Warburton (who is probably more of a contender at 7?); Merv Davies @ 8. Of course Edwards and JPR would be the first names on the sheet!

[@garethsims4124]

Jonny Wilkinson was a great - but there's little doubt it has to be "the King" Barry John at fly half who is without equal and was pivotal in the only series win in New Zealand

[@davidjones272]

Wilkinson was average at best for the lions, gave away the 2001 series with an intercept. Sexton has had a better lions career.

[@garethsims4124]

@@davidjones272 I agree

[@DM-rp9ik]

You can put Wilkinsons career into 2 stages pre 2003 and post 2003. And without the pre 2003 period its pretty average from an international perspective. By 2005 he had completely fallen off and really souldnt have been on that loins tour he was so many levels below Carter at that point. No where near it in 2009 and in fairness to him turned down a slot in 2013 probably with a word in his ear from the Toulon owner.

[@MickyBrownEye1]

Certainly different players for different eras ... Barry John v Wilkinson. It's the beauty of these fantasy teams. You could equally argue that Fran Cotton would have been too tall and Gerald Price would have been a better fit in the front row. However that 2nd row ... what a pairing they would have been.

[@davidwilliams255]

Hill was blind side open slattery numbers 8 Mervynn Davies 12 Mike Gibson 14 j j williams/ Gerald Davies 11 david Duckham but Jason Robinson was brilliant

[@nickowen2]

Just watched Duckham playing, the stand out of my 70+ years

[@davidfawcett2080]

Fergus Sattery ,Merv the SWERVE, JJWilliams,Phil Bennett Gerald Davies,Mike Gibson,etc etc The Lions over the years have been a proving ground for outstanding performances for the cause. Lets hope the 20021 have some more names to add to the long list

[@imanomad557]

So many that can be added, my choice Graham Price,

[@joelee4552]

He wasn't as good a player as guscott or o'driscoll but surely as a lions legend there should be an honourable mention for Scott gibbs?

[@hjhs5922]

A lot of surprise for Hill being picked at 7 here, but he played there for lions in SA 1997 (with Dallaglio at 6) and also in Australia 2001 before he got injured. Pretty exceptional on both tours

[@nickowen2]

Hill was a six. and better than Warburton

[@mikewilliams4499]

Wonderful selection challenge. I’m not Welsh but it’s a brave person who leaves out Phil Bennett. I hear the argument against Dallaglio but when you see the passion in his eyes going into a game...I’d want this man by my side when the pigeon of fate sh*ts on me. Thanks for this video. Stay safe everyone.

[@Joe_Kennedy_Lynch]

Same initial thoughts about Bennett or David Humphries (not sure he was a lion though)

[@peterstaples1]

"... when the pigeon of fate sh*ts on me" Laugh of the week, thank you Mike

[@KK-yv8qr]

Not sure about guscott

[@bwlboy123]

The 2 centres are arguably the hardest choice but I have to say, to omit Jonathan Davies, who has been the man of the series on the last 2 tours, is daring. Also, as others have said, to pick Tony O'Reilly over Gerald Davies is poor.

[@davidjones272]

Davies wasn't man of the series in 2013, halfpenny was.

[@bwlboy123]

I stand corrected though I'm not someone who fixates on making a point of proving someone wrong.

[@ronansavage7918]

You can’t put Davies over O’driscoll, arguably one of the best players to ever play the game.

[@6jackace]

@@ronansavage7918 For the lions you probably could. It depends if this list is for the best ever performers for the lions or the best ever players who have played for the lions. Do you get me?

[@davidjones272]

You can't pick two outside centres, that's absurd. Try Mike Gibson, Scott gibbs or Jamie Roberts alongside o'driscoll. Also Jason Robinson? He had one successful tour, any number of players should be in ahead of him: Tommy bowe, Gerald Davies, jj Williams to name a few.

[@davidjones272]

Also Dallaglio played at 6 for the lions, not 8. Rodber was first choice 8 in 1997, quinnel in 2001.

[@krakatoa1200]

As a Welshman,, obviously I'm a fan of Gareth Edwards, but Brian O'Driscoll must be surely one of the best rugby players ever?

[@6jackace]

They aren't the same position. And Gareth Edwards is the first name on the sheet he may quite simply be THE best player ever to touch a rugby ball.

[@krakatoa1200]

@@6jackace I know they didn't play in the same position, i'm just pointing out how great they were. I also think that Phil Bennet was one of the best ever to wear a Welsh jersey.

[@richardlj13]

O'Driscoll, easy to forget how bright he shone in the early 2000's

[@marilyncatterall402]

Your tight 5 is spot on (except it'd leave you without a middle lineout jumper, if they ever played). Hill to 6 (where he played in 2001), and bring in Slattery and Davies at 7 and 8. That pack would never be beaten ...... As for the backs, I'll leave that to others, although I'm sure many will argue for the inclusion of Mike Gibson, JJ Williams, Gerald Davies etc etc, it looks a pretty good selection.

[@billybronco4223]

Gareth Edwards toured in South Africa in 1968 as well as NZ 1971 and South Africa 1974.

[@MickyBrownEye1]

1. Ian McLauchlin. (was never bettered by anyone, even in NZ). 2. Keith Wood. (probably the best all round hooker Britain & Ireland has ever produced) 3. Fran Cotton / Gerald Price. (its a toss up. Both legends). 4. Willie John ( has any Lion achieved more)? 5. Martin Johnston (even though I'm Irish he gets the nod of O'Connell and all the rest). 6. Sam Warburton ( can't deny his record). 7. Fergus Slattery / Richard Hill (both immense but Slattery gets the nod because he was the best 7 in the world for a generation) 8. Lawrence Dallaglio / Mervyn Davis ( I go with Dallaglio but its a coin flip. Both legends). 9. Garath Edwards ( no question, and probably one of the 5 greatest players ever to play the game). 10. Jonny Wilkinson / Barry John (they called BJ the king but I would go for Wilkinson. He had everything and tackled like a back row. 11 Tony O'Reilly ( forgotten by many as he played so long ago, but his record is unmatched and still hasn't been beaten). 12 Mike Gibson (Lions legend. Player of the series in NZ in 1971. The All Blacks were in awe of him). 13 Brian O'Driscoll (he could destroy the best planned defence single handed, and often did). 14 Gerald Davies (he would he a star in any generation, even today). 15 JPR. (just like Willie John, you don't need surnames when you are this great).

[@tollyt7465]

I'd have Hill 6 and Slattery 7.. Hill is the best natural 6 I've ever seen and Slattery the fore runner of modern 7's.. And as much as I loved Gerald Davies, Jason Robinson was unplayable one on one, so he would have to play. Other than that I would select exactly the same side.. Too many youngsters don't realise how good Mike Gibson really was.. With the exception of BOD, and Dani Gerber from SA, the best centre, and played international across the back line.. Possibly the best all round player in history..

[@MickyBrownEye1]

@@tollyt7465 I agree about hill and, as Warburton was more a 7 than a 6, I would now have a back row or Hill, Dallaglio, Slattery. They would be immense. Jason Robinson was deadly in attack and fearless in defence. He brought that steel from Rugby League as did Scott Gibbs and John Bentley in that great Lions team led by Johnston. So to be fair Jason is probably the better all-round player, but Garald Davis is my indulgence. He ran like a gazelle and was just so graceful.

[@tollyt7465]

@Poua Kai I played in the same combined services side as Rory, and he was a great, great player with electric pace, especially in an average England backline at the time, but for me he wouldn't even get into a 23 man match day squad alongside some I've seen play..

[@brettwilkinson9529]

Wilkinson was a failure on both Lions tours . Barry John was a god on the 1971 tour.

[@MickyBrownEye1]

@@brettwilkinson9529 When I watch test matches from the past it immediately becomes clear that the game was better back then. People like Phil Bennett, Barry John, Gerald Davis, and Mike Gibson had the space to express themselves. The dummy and sidestep was their trademarks and they were the masters. So it's hard to compare today's 'battering-ram' game with the rugby of yesteryear. Thats what makes these comparisons fun.

[@georgedouglas3930]

I think Hill & Warby should swap their position

[@kelvinlewis4065]

Its difficult to make the distinction from old to new or amature to pro .. Some guys would play in any era ..,,Barry John and Gareth Edwards , J.P.R. ,and Gerald Davies Also the game as changed so much as you would expect .. Johnny Wilkinson is absolute world class anytime also for sure .. O Driscol .. Its a weird argument ...But worth debate for sure .

[@tollyt7465]

Fergus Slattery would be a rare pre modern forward who would thrive in today's game. For me the fore runner of modern 7s..

[@DH1985-MB]

I'd have had Tom Smith in at 1. Legend!

[@petergrant747]

Mike Gibson instead of Guscott by a mile

[@ianthomascunningham6478]

Paul o Connell?

[@Glider34]

He’s up against two captains that won in South Africa. Not going to happen.

[@ronansavage7918]

1. Ian McLaughlin (Legend of the game, great scrummager) 2. Keith Wood (One of the greatest hookers of all time) 3. Adam Jones (One of the best scrummagers I’ve every seen) 4. WJ Mcbride (One of the best forwards ive ever seen) 5. Martin Johnson (Fearless leader and a great all round player) 6. Richard Hill (Awesome tackler and a WC winner) 7. Fergus Slattery (Great player, the best back row in the world for years) 8. Lawrence Dallaglio (Good captain, even better player) 9. Gareth Edwards (One of the best players of his time) 10. Jonny Wilkinson (one of the great goal kickers and a fearless tackler 11. Gerald Davies (Was instrumental for one of the all time great rugby teams 12. Mike Gibson (Far greater player than Guscott) 13. Brian O’driscoll (Greatest lions player of all time) 14. Shane Williams (Amazing footwork, electric speed) 15. JPR Williams (Toughest rugby player of his time, one of the great full backs) Honourable mentions: Gethin Jenkins, Fran Cotton, Paul O’Connell, Peter Winterbotton, Conor Murray, Barry John, Gavin Hastings

[@ianbolan3488]

Sir Gareth Edwards also toured with the Lions to South Africa 1968

[@tollyt7465]

Even though he could play across the back row, Hill for me is the best natural 6 in history, and Slattery the fore runner of modern 7's.. Hard to leave out Phil Bennett, David Duckham and Mike Gibson, but understandable in some respects. Gibson played across the back line and was a genius who I think was possibly the most complete player I've ever seen, and would have been my centre with BOD. Just a personal opinion..

[@daveyloo]

Guscott is one of the no brainers. 1989 grubber to turn series and 1997 drop to win series!

[@loganwilliams7635]

JPR, Gareth Edwards, Barry John. Can you imagine if these guys played at the same time, what a team that would be.

[@dave55ides]

They did - in 1971 in New Zealand - first and only Lions series win in New Zealand. Gibson and Gerald Davies were also in the back line and the forwards included Willie John and Mervyn Davies. Worth mentioning that all of those except Barry John were in the side that overwhelmed the Springboks in 1974. And John’s replacement was Phil Bennett!

[@nathanbaker5013]

​@@dave55ides I think he was being sarcastic

[@andrewgirdlestone7607]

What does it take to be a lion, first is to be selected many a chosen, what does it take to be a winning lion ? There have been many good and great players that were never selected. Selection is down to the head coach and his senior staff. But once selected what does make a winning Lions tour? Belief and trust in the entire side, a resolute Captain that every player and coach respects (and can hold his field position by right, not just because he’s the captain) the whole squad to believe in the process, and to support those entirely those that are selected for the test side.

[@britbox4517]

Very tough to choose - so many greats. Mike Gibson has to be in though. I think that's the only massive omission. All the others, you can make strong arguments for and against. Barry John v Phil Bennett? If I was picking an all time Welsh XV then King Barry probably gets the nod, but Benny was superb for the Lions... and I'd be tempted to lean in his direction. Fergus Slattery should probably be in there too. Andy Irvine gets the shittiest end of the stick. Fantastic player and a good lion, but not the greatest full back (JPR) and not the greatest winger - but they had to find a place for him because he was that good.

[@SupremeBros2012]

Sad we just lost JPR

[@Red-Revolution708]

1. Fran Cotton, 2. Bobby Windsor, 3 Ian McLauchlan 4. Willie John McBride, 5 Martin Johnson 6 Ferguson Slattery, 7 Sam Warburton, 8 Mervyn Davies, 9 Gareth Edwards 10 Barry John, 11 Gerald Davies, 12 John Dawes, 13 Mike Gibson 14 JJ Williams, 15 JPR Williams . These great Lions have won series in New Zealand and S.Africa and Australia, and are all immortals in rugby Union history . Sorry if I missed a few out but these games I picked did it all.

[@nickowen2]

Slattery was a 7

[@philipmarsden7104]

@@nickowen2He wore six but was an open-side.

[@philipmarsden7104]

@Trotskyist-: Mighty Mouse was a loosehead prop, so I would put Graham Price in there at tighthead. He may not have been on winning tours, but he convinced his opposition he was the best tighthead of his generation. Otherwise, I think your selection is excellent, despite missing a middle jumper, those two locks were exceptional leaders and would ''debate'' possession with any opponent.

[@Mizpah5]

Must have Mike Gibson Ireland and David Duckham England.

[@seasideunderinvestigation6211]

What about Gerald Davies? The greatest side-step of all-time!

[@michaelward8394]

Lots of mistakes in this selection imho: as stated below graham price, mervyn davies, mike gibson, gerald davies all better than those shown here

[@joelee4552]

Whilst not as good a player as guscott or o'driscoll but as a lions legends surely Scott gibbs deserves a mention?

[@kingdoom1804]

Great selection. I’d have gone for dallaglio, O’Brien and Quinnell in back row. Think Scott Gibbs is another I might have found a place for.

[@tollyt7465]

Everyone has opinions, but I would say that there wouldn't be any ex lion or top international that would leave Richard Hill out of the back row at 6 or 7, probably 6 with Fergus Slattery at 7 for me.. People talk about Micheal Jones being the birth of the modern 7, but they are the younger ones who never saw Slattery play.. He was playing a modern 7s game 15 years before Jones..

[@samm-w9579]

Scott Quinnell over Dallagio

[@rorymcclelland3013]

No Gibson

[@GC-jt7ey]

Gibson for Guscott, The Swerve for Dallaglio.

[@robertwilliams9234]

Guscott ?

[@A-Tango]

Gerald Davies has to be there

[@francoisdupreez457]

At centre: who can leave out Jeff Butterfield?

[@chattinwaffle5196]

I think we shouldn’t add anyone from 1995 onwards just because when the 90s hit rugby changed dramatically and I don’t think players that were before the 90s could keep up with how rugby is now personally

[@markjones464]

I used to think a player of another era Would not fit in , I was 13 Years old I Am a Aussie , Australia Had the best Cricket Team in the world ,( 75) , England Sent a team led by Colin Cowley, he Was 40 past his prime , Faceing Lillie And Thompson as a batsman , That Man showed Class lots of guts , he scored 40 Runs that day at the WACA A Class player of another era was still Good in another era , that comeing from A Aussie , I played Cricket , Union , and Aussie Rules , when you loose it body wise And Mentally it hard COLIN was 40 Years Old , I was not even playing social games at That age , a pint in one hand watching , I know players are bigger and faster , try Tell James Small 89 Kg he could not stop Jonna Loma 118 Kg he beat him in World Cup 1995 ,

[@chattinwaffle5196]

@@markjones464 Yh I get what u mean I just dk like with the amount of things that players had to do to go pro back then to what’s required now I just think it’s two massive different like I just think it would take time for them to adapt properly and even then still have to be good enough for the new era of players who r the most skilled in rugby history so just matter of opinion but I think they wouldn’t adapt too well

[@WaferBrik]

Ian (Mighty Mouse) McLaughlin weighed 14 st 7 lb, small for a prop even by the standards of his day. I wonder how he'd do today giving away six or seven stone to some of the behemoth props in world rugby? With the benefits of professional training, perhaps a Mouse in his prime would do okay?

[@revellien]

100% re Gibson for Guscott. No too sure about Warburton or Loz. Maybe Merv and Slattery but Martin Offiah / Gerald Davies for Tony O Reilly. JPR end of argument at 15.

[@jackhiggins5037]

Why is Warburton at 6 and Hill at 7?

[@jonnybaynham1689]

Warburton played 6 in the main tests. Hill played 7 in South Africa

[@nickowen2]

nonsense

[@michaeldavis1609]

Where's Alan wyn Jones??

[@geoffkirk1970]

Gatland isn’t the coach of this team

[@martjollands4200]

1 McLaughlan 2 Wood 3 Cotton 4 McBride 5 Johnson 6 Uttley 7 Slattery 8 Davies 9 Edwards 10 Bennett 11 G Davies 12 Gibson 13 O Driscoll 14 Duckham 15 JPR Williams

[@toiletsmithy3630]

Uttley? Ahaha

[@martjollands4200]

@@toiletsmithy3630 I know it's difficult to compare the amateur era with the professional one, but I chose Uttley because of his versatility as lock or loose forward, and therefore value in the line-out and scrum, his mental toughness and ability, his team ethic, and abrasive, no-nonsense approach, a core ingredient to the success of Seventies Lions teams. Also, his stats themselves, against teams from the big three southern hemisphere teams weren't too bad either.... , he had a 66% win ratio in all matches, can't think of too many British loose forwards who can match that.

[@williamcarter3933]

Joker! Warburton at 6 and Hill at 7??

[@tollyt7465]

Yeah I thought that.. Hill at 6, then decide on your 7 depending on the 8 selection for back row balance. Personally my 7 would be Fergus Slattery. He was the true fore runner of the modern 7s, powerful and deceptively quick.. Warburton wouldn't even be on the bench..

[@gearoidryan2076]

Paul o connellll !!!!!!! The best secound row of his time

[@wobblertv8083]

Lawerence over merv the swerve big call

[@zeere3z]

1)Gethin Jenkins (2005, 2009 and 2013) 2. Keith Wood (1997 and 2001) 3. Phil Vickery (2001 and 2009) 4. Martin Johnson (1993, 1997, 2001) 5. Paul O’Connell (2005, 2009 and 2013) 6. Richard Hill (1997, 2001 and 2005) 7. Martyn Williams (2001, 2005 and 2009) 8. Lawrence Dallaglio (1997, 2001, 2005) 9. Matt Dawson (1997, 2001, 2005) 10. Jonny Wilkinson (2001 and 2005) 11. Shane Williams (2005, 2009 and 2013) 12. Jeremy Guscott (1989,1993 and 1997) 13. Brian O’Driscoll (2001, 2005, 2009 and 2013) 14. Tommy Bowe (2009 and 2013) 15. Jason Robinson (2001 and 2005

[@chrismorgan9460]

Matt Dawson ahead of gareth edwards wtf

[@philipmarsden7104]

@@chrismorgan9460 It's a windup. He's just wanting to get his England favourites in.

[@Ackrow1]

No way that Guscott should be picked ahead of Cameron Michael Gibson , whom even the Kiwis acknowledged as one of the greatest inside backs they had ever seen . No contest and a lot of questionable English selections !

[@toyphotography3233]

Johnny wilkinson. ? PAUL CONNELL. . is deffinlty a future lions great.

[@stodd222]

There's a dozen flankers, at least, who should be before Warburton, and probably a few no8s before Dallaglio. Hill was a true superstar - the best English backrower I've ever seen (I'm Scottish), but both Mike Teague and Fin Calder would have eaten Warburton for breakfast.

[@leebramwell6563]

1. Gethin Jenkins 2. Keith Wood 3. Adam Jones 4 Alun Wyn Jones 5. Martin Johnson 6. Richard Hill 7. Sam Warburton 8. Scott Quinnell 9. Gareth Edwards 10. Barry John 11. Shane Williams 12. Scott Gibbs 13. Jonathan Davies 14. Gerald Davies 15. J.P.R. Williams Bench B O'driscol , Lawrence Dallagio, Phil Bennet, Willie John Mcbride, Graham Price, Jamie Roberts, Neil Back, Robert Howley, Jason Robinson

[@mtnstrand2819]

Let me guess...You are Welsh. 😂😂😂

[@camjordan2545]

Sir Johnny Wilisnon

[@Adam-fu2nv]

Alun wyn Jones is best best second row

[@kiwiking6206]

Where was Sir Jonny Wilkinson? England’s hero... The World Cup winner

[@chrismorgan9460]

Cost the lions the series 2001

[@Rayner1101]

O'Driscoll? We only won a series after dropping him

[@ronansavage7918]

He’s probably the best player to ever play for the lions and I am a Wallabies fan.

[@lubabalomengu1845]

He was undoubtedly the best backline player in 2001 and 2009 - two series that could've gone either way.

[@6jackace]

@@ronansavage7918 No where near the best player to play for the lions.

[@ronansavage7918]

@@6jackace who would you say is the best then?

[@6jackace]

@@ronansavage7918 Gareth Edwards is the greatest ever player to play for the lions but Barry John is the greatest ever player for the lions, when the new Zealanders call you the king you know it's pretty special. Brian o Driscoll wasn't even that good for the lions.

[@bilateralcootisme1469]

Johnny wilkinson should still be in

[@KK-yv8qr]

definitely would’ve had wilko in there instead of guscott