Greatest British and Irish Lions players of all time

Only the very best rugby union players are called up to represent the British and Irish Lions.

To stand out amongst your fellow Lions is to assert yourself as one of the all-time greats of the sport.

We examine the greatest British and Irish Lions players of all time.

5) Barry John

Nation - Wales
Position - Fly-half
Lions Tours - 1993, 1997, 2001
Test Series wins - 1
Overall Test match record - P8 W4 D0 L4

Barry John's nickname of 'The King' tells you pretty much all you need to know about his status in Welsh rugby.

A generational talent, John was a tremendous runner, possessed a world-class rugby brain and had an enviable gift of being able to kick cleanly off either foot.

Recognised as one of the first superstars of rugby union, John made the shock decision to retire from the sport aged just 27 having struggled to cope with the weight of expectations on his shoulders.

4) JPR Williams

Nation - Wales
Position - Full-back
Lions Tours - 1971, 1974
Test Series wins - 2
Overall Test match record - P8 W5 D2 L1

An iconic figure in the history of rugby union, instantly recognisable thanks to his trademark sideburns, Wales' JPR Williams must go down as one of the sport's best full-backs ever.

A trailblazer of a full-back who cared more about making daring forays with ball in hand than kicking to touch, Williams was part of a famous generation of Welsh rugby and was a key player in two victorious Lions Tours in 1971 and 1974.

Williams was both daring in attack and tenacious in defence, earning a reputation as one of the most exciting players in world rugby in his pomp.

3) Martin Johnson

Nation - England
Position - Lock
Lions Tours - 1993, 1997, 2001
Test Series wins - 1
Overall Test match record - P8 W4 D0 L4

For what Martin Johnson may have lacked in technical gifts, he more than made up for in strength and leadership.

England's World Cup-winning captain of 2003, Johnson was also a man mountain of a player for the British and Irish Lions - captaining the team in two Tours in 1997 and 2001.

A monster at the breakdown and at lineouts, Johnson's influence was paramount as the Lions recorded a seismic Test series victory in South Africa in 1997.

2) Willie John McBride

Nation - Ireland
Position - Lock
Lions Tours - 1962, 1966, 1968, 1971, 1974
Test Series wins - 3
Overall Test match record - P17 W5 D3 L9

The captain of the Lions' 'Invincibles' team which won 21 and drew one of 22 Tour matches against South Africa in 1974, Willie John McBride represented the ultimate sporting leader on the pitch.

A physically robust lock, McBride was an uncompromising character who famously installed the Lions' "99 Call" on the 1974 tour of South Africa, whereby his teammates were instructed to rally together as one in the face of any intimidation tactics from their hosts.

McBride's Lions legacy is underlined by his total of 17 Test caps, which remains a record to this day.

1) Gareth Edwards

Nation - Wales
Position - Scrum-half
Lions Tours - 1968, 1971, 1974
Test Series wins - 2
Overall Test match record - P10 W5 D3 L2

An all-time great of rugby union, Gareth Edwards was one of the stars of the British and Irish Lions' famous Test series triumphs over New Zealand and South Africa in 1971 and 1974 respectively.

The talismanic scrum-half in the famous Lions side of 1974 which conquered the Springboks, Edwards represented the ultimate rugby player - adept at running, passing, kicking and reading the game.

The Welshman was the man the finest Lions team ever often looked to for inspiration, making his claim to represent the greatest Lion of all difficult to argue against.