Top 25 British and Irish Lions: Ranking rugby's most influential figures
Ranking the 25 most influential British and Irish Lions of all time was a major assignment and not a task taken lightly. Since the first tour of 1888 to New Zealand and Australia, the Lions have been littered with heroic performances, often against the odds.
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RNZ News
5 hours ago
- RNZ News
Rugby: Pollock relishing 'big occasions' after eye-catching performance in Lions opener
Henry Pollock (left) congratulates Lions teammate Dan Sheehan after scoring a try during their win over the Western Force in Perth. Photo: Photosport British & Irish Lions forward Henry Pollock said he is relishing the competition for places in Andy Farrell's line-up after a stand-out performance in the 54-7 win over the Western Force in Perth kicked off the squad's six-week Australian tour. The 20-year-old number eight, making his first Lions start, put on a lively showing in front of a big crowd at Perth Stadium, setting up one try before earning field position for another as well as picking up a yellow card in the first half. "I love the big occasions," said Pollock, who is the youngest member of the Lions squad. "What a great group and I just wanted to be here." Pollock was included in the travelling party despite playing just once for England. The Northampton Saints forward scored a pair of tries on his debut against Wales in the Six Nations in March. He was prominent from the start against the Force, and it was his line-break in the 15th minute that set up Welsh scrumhalf Tomos Williams to give the Lions a lead that Farrell's side would not relinquish. Pollock was sin-binned in the 39th minute and then put the Lions in the perfect position to score through Joe McCarthy in the 53rd minute when he chased down his own chip behind the Force defence. "It was a fun game and we all really enjoyed it," said Pollock. "It's an amazing group and environment to be part of - we're the four best nations, the best players in the northern hemisphere. "I'm honoured to be here ... this kind of campaign and this kind of group is only together for a short amount of time and we're trying to write history. "So we're just trying to get as close as we can together. "There's loads of boys fighting for positions and that's what you want." Pollock's lack of experience saw his inclusion in the squad questioned in some quarters, but Farrell is confident the Englishman will continue to improve as the tour progresses. "He is certainly a point of difference," said Farrell. "He is learning all the time." -Reuters
1News
5 hours ago
- 1News
Williams injury blow as Lions start Aussie tour with big win over Force
Henry Pollock showcased his star potential but two-try scrumhalf Tomos Williams was cut down by a hamstring injury as the British and Irish Lions posted a crushing 54-7 win over the Western Force in Perth. The Lions ran in eight tries to one in front of 46,656 fans at Optus Stadium last night to post the big win, but it came at a cost. Williams, a veteran of 65 Test caps with Wales, pinged his left hamstring while acrobatically diving in at the corner for his second try in the 47th minute. The 30-year-old looked despondent as he hobbled slowly off the field, with the Lions leading 26-7 at the time. The second half became a romp as the Lions flexed their muscles in a five-try blitz, but it was tough work in the first half as the Force came out firing. ADVERTISEMENT Wallabies winger Dylan Pietsch was near unstoppable in the first 40 minutes, unleashing a series of dazzling line breaks to push his case for selection for the upcoming three-Test series. The Force dominated possession (60 per cent) and territory (67 per cent) in the first half, but it was the industrious work of Pollock that ensured the Lions still managed to take a 21-7 lead into half-time. Tomos Williams walks off with a hamstring injury in Perth. (Source: Associated Press) Pollock, who at just 20 years of age is already being touted as a future superstar, produced a series of tackle-breaking runs, one of which set up Williams for his first try. "I'm happy with the scoreline, obviously, and happy with how we actually got to that point, because it wasn't all going our own way," Lions coach Andy Farrell said. "I thought we gathered ourselves well and sorted a few things out on the run and played some nice rugby in the end. "There was plenty to work on from the Argentina game, and just because there were some nice tries that have been scored tonight, there's still plenty (to improve)." ADVERTISEMENT Farrell had labelled his team's 28-24 loss to Argentina in Dublin last week as unacceptable. It took just 96 seconds for his players to show a strong response - and it was a thing of beauty. The magical piece of play started and finished with skipper Dan Sheehan, who jumped in the air to catch a cross kick before passing it off to teammate James Lowe before he even landed on the ground. Sheehan stayed in the play and received it back from Lowe to cross over for the opener. The Force hit back through Nic White courtesy of 19 phases of grit, and after 15 minutes, it was the home side dominating possession (72 per cent) and territory (74 per cent). The Lions did well to keep the Force at bay, and they went up 14-7 in the 17th minute when Pollock made a break and then offloaded while on the ground to set up Williams for a try. Pietsch's first-half efforts had the Lions on the back foot, but it was the tourists who landed another strike against the run of play when a quick tap from flyhalf Finn Russell caught the Force napping. The ensuing try by fullback Elliot Daly gave the Lions a 21-7 lead in the 36th minute, but they were dealt a blow just seconds before half-time when Pollock was handed a yellow card for his team's accumulation of penalties. ADVERTISEMENT Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Lions swung the ball the length of the field for Williams to touch down seven minutes into the second half. The Lions piled on another four tries to ensure their tour of Australia got off to a comprehensive winning start. The Lions will be back in action on Wednesday night when they take on the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium.
NZ Herald
a day ago
- NZ Herald
British and Irish Lions v Western Force live updates
Live updates of the opening British and Irish Lions tour match against the Force in Perth. Lions side to face the Force Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan said Thursday he will be his 'chill' self after being named captain for the British and Irish Lions' opening Australian tour game against Western Force in Perth. The 26-year-old Leinster star was a surprise choice to lead the side on his Lions debut, having skippered his country just once. 'It's obviously a massive privilege and honour,' said Sheehan, who will pack down between countryman Tadhg Furlong and Scotland's Pierre Schoeman in the front row on Saturday. 'I just need to be myself, do what I usually do. I'm quite a chill person. I feel like I've got an understanding on who I am and what sort of excites me. 'With the added role of being captain I don't think it changes that much. I'll just bring the boys with me. I'll just let it happen.' Head coach Andy Farrell retained just two players from the side that started the 28-24 loss to Argentina in Dublin last week -- flanker Tadhg Beirne and centre Sione Tuipulotu. Among those rested is tour captain Maro Itoje, who led the side against the Pumas. Farrell has opted to make full use of his squad in the first of nine tour matches, including Tests against the Wallabies in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. He was without the bulk of his Leinster players against Argentina and they feature heavily against Simon Cron's Force, with nine in the matchday 23. Five starters will be making their Lions debut, as will four on the bench. 'We have had a good week of training and all of the travel and time-zone changes have been managed really well, so we are good to go,' said Farrell. On Sheehan, Farrell said being captain 'will make him a better player because that's the type of character he is, and he's a calming-type influence who understands what pressured situations really look like'. The Lions back row consists of Beirne, former World Rugby player-of-the-year Josh van der Flier and young star Henry Pollock. Scotland ace Finn Russell starts at flyhalf, partnering Welshman Tomos Williams. English veteran Elliot Daly takes on the fullback duties with Mack Hansen and James Lowe on the wings, and Garry Ringrose and Tuipulotu in the centre. 'We know the quality and experience the Force have and the opportunity to play against the Lions always brings out special performances from the Super Rugby sides, so we expect them to be at their best,' added Farrell. On their 2013 Tour, the Lions ran out 69-17 winners against the Force. British and Irish Lions (15-1): Elliot Daly; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Sione Tuipulotu, James Lowe; Finn Russell, Tomos Williams; Henry Pollock, Josh van der Flier, Tadhg Beirne; Joe McCarthy, Scott Cummings; Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan, Pierre Schoeman
