The British and Irish Lions is a tradition that has transcended sport for centuries, bringing fierce rivals together for a tour every four years.
There is nothing in sport quite like the British and Irish Lions. Fans, coaches and players from the four home nations put their differences aside to compete together against the Southern Hemisphere's best.
The Northern Hemisphere's greatest honour, a Lions call up thrusts selected players to the forefront of competitive rugby union.
Some of the world's greatest ever players have donned the iconic red shirts of the Lions and, with that in mind, let's take a look at the greatest British and Irish Lions XV of all time...
Greatest British and Irish Lions XV of All Time
15 - Leigh Halfpenny
A mercurial Welsh full-back with an almost flawless goal-kicking boot, Leigh Halfpenny was a key member of two Lions tours.
He actually made appearances on three different tours, first touring South Africa in 2009, however injuries cut his first tour short, preventing him from making any real impact.
His best tour came in 2013 as the Lions defeated Australia 2-1 under Warren Gatland.
Halfpenny featured in all three Tests, breaking the record for most ever points in an individual match and for the most points scored in a three-match series - kicking 114 points across his six matches on that tour.
He also started the first Test of the Lions tour of New Zealand in 2017, kicking 31 points in total.
14 - George North
Despite touring twice for the British and Irish Lions, George North will be forever etched into Lions folklore for just one moment, the fireman lift on Israel Folau in the second Test against the Aussies.
For anyone who has not seen the clip before, a fireman lift may not seem that impressive in a game of rugby, until you remember that North was the ball carrier at that point in time.
George North running at the Australia defence with a ball in one hand and an Australia defender in the other was something no Lions fan will ever forget.
That's before you take into account his incredible solo score in the first Test and his four tries in seven matches across that tour.
13 - Brian O'Driscoll
This shirt could only belong to one man.
So much so, that the number 13 shirt for the Lions is still known as "O'Driscoll's shirt" among fans and players alike.
One of rugby's greatest ever players and a four-time tourist spanning 12 years, Brian O'Driscoll made a colossal 18 appearances for the Lions, captaining them in three of his tours.
12 - Owen Farrell
A potentially controversial choice to complete the midfield, with the marauding Jamie Roberts another strong option for the 12 shirt in this team, Owen Farrell's Lions contributions cannot be ignored.
Like O'Driscoll, Farrell is a four-time tourist, having been called up to join the Lions on their 2025 Australia tour due to injury issues.
He was a bit part player in his first tour in 2013, only making one Test appearance against Australia, however in 2017 he was a key player in a historic 1-1 series draw against the All Blacks.
He started all three Tests in New Zealand, the first at 10 before moving to 12 for the second and third Tests, forming a strong 10-12 axis with Johnny Sexton, who we will come on to later.
He also came off the bench in two of the Tests against South Africa in 2021, meaning that he can feature in four different Lions Test series if he makes an appearance against Australia in 2025.
11 - Jason Robinson
Another easy choice, rugby league convert and 2003 Rugby World Cup winner Jason Robinson is the clear option to take the 11 shirt.
He appeared in four Tests between the 2001 and 2005 tours and scored one of the best Lions tries of all time against the Wallabies in 2001.
One of the Northern Hemisphere's most difficult players to stop of all time, Robinson was diminutive in size but had an electric side step, incredible agility and rapid speed.
10 - Johnny Sexton
Forming the second part of the 10-12 axis which pushed the All Blacks all the way in 2017, Johnny Sexton is chosen to don the 10 shirt in this XV.
The Irish rugby legend is a two-time Lions tourist, with a total of 14 appearances in the famous red shirt.
He appeared in all three Tests in both of his tours, as the Lions defeated Australia 2-1 in 2013 and drew 1-1 with New Zealand in 2017.
9 - Matt Dawson
A three-time Lions tourist and 2003 Rugby World Cup winner, Matt Dawson is the strongest candidate to start at scrum-half in this team.
Heading into his first tour in 1997, Dawson was seen as the third choice scrum-half. However, due to his strong performances in the warm up games, he ended up starting all three Tests in the tour as the Lions won the series against South Africa.
He was selected again in 2001, making two Test appearances and was also selected for the 2005 tour of New Zealand.
1 - Mako Vunipola
A more rogue option in this team, Mako Vunipola was an elite level modern prop, combining excellent scrummaging with dynamic open play ball carrying and defence.
Touring three times with the Lions, Vunipola started all nine of the Tests over the course of his tours and was a key member of the squads that earned famous series results in 2013 and 2017.
2 - Keith Wood
Widely seen as the Lions' best hooker of all time, Irishman Keith Wood toured in 1997 and 2001, starting five out of the six Tests.
He was a key player for the Lions in their famous series win against world champions South Africa in 1997 and put in strong performances in spite of a series defeat against Australia in 2001.
3 - Tadhg Furlong
Joining his fellow countryman in the front row, Tadhg Furlong is one of only two current players to make this team.
One of the most technically gifted tightheads in the history of the game, as well as maintaining a strong physical edge, Tadhg Furlong is a nightmare for opposition players.
He is a shoe in to play all three Tests in the 2025 tour of Australia, having already started all three Tests in his two other tours in 2017 and 2021.
4 - Paul O'Connell
Kicking off a legendary second row pairing is Irish rugby icon Paul O'Connell.
Appearing in seven consecutive Tests across three different Lions tours, Paul O'Connell made this position his own.
He also led the Lions into the 2009 Lions tour of South Africa as they completed a famous victory on away soil.
His run was ended in the 2013 tour when a broken arm sustained in the series opener ended his final Lions tour abruptly.
5 - Martin Johnson (c)
Not much needs to be said for this one.
The most inspirational leader that the sport has ever seen and a commanding figure on the field, two-time tour captain Martin Johnson has the five shirt and the armband nailed down as his own.
6 - Richard Hill
A member of three successive tours between 1997 and 2005, Richard Hill was a modern day back rower well ahead of his time.
An all action forward, Hill had it all, jackaling, pace, power, skills and defensive prowess.
He made five Lions appearances in total throughout his time with the tourists, however this would have been higher if not for injury issues derailing all three of his tours.
7 - Sam Warburton
When you think about players who have worn the Lions' number seven shirt, Sam Warburton is the first player that comes to mind.
Part of the Welsh golden generation under Warran Gatland, Warburton was chosen to lead the Lions in their series victory over Australia in 2013 and played a key role in the 1-1 series draw with the All Blacks in 2017.
8 - Lawrence Dallaglio
Rounding off the team in the number eight position, Lawrence Dallaglio toured three times with the Lions, playing in all three Tests of his first tour against South Africa in 1997.
Injuries hindered his final two tours, but his impact on the overall squads and his raw talent as an all round ball carrying number eight earn him his rightful spot in this team of Lions icons.
