Living with the Lions

When people talk about seminal sports documentary films, When we were Kings comes up all the time. My favourite sports documentary is the 1997 film, Living with the Lions. For the un-initiated it is the story of the 1997 British and Irish lions tour to South Africa. It really is a warts and all journey with that rugby team across the continent. No real game footage but a fascinating look at what it takes to build a successful team out of disparate nations who normally spend their time knocking lumps out of each other.


This year the Lions return to South Africa again, same head coach but the world of rugby has moved on apace. There have been two lions tours since the South African adventure. The tour to Australia was memorable for “Waltzing O’Driscoll,” as well as Jason Robinson stepping round Chris Latham. Ultimately it was unsuccessful. The 2005 tour to New Zealand was completely forgettable whether it be for the ugly tackle on Brian O’Driscoll or the horrific organisation by Woodward. This included Alistair Campbell as spin doctor!


What can we expect from 2009 in South Africa? Hopefully it will be a reinvigoration of the Lions brand. McGeechan as head coach is the right step. With respect to Henry and Woodward it was like they never got what it meant to tour as a Lion and the traditions that go with that. After all the Lions and lions tour are built on legends. The famous “99” call of the 74 lions is one example. The brilliance of O’Reilly, Jackson and Kyle in the 50’s in South Africa and the peak of brilliance that was the 71 lions to New Zealand. Barry John was at his best and he was surrounded by JPR, Gareth and the David Duckham the man the Welsh called Dai.


The Lions is unique in professional sport no trophy, no tournament just touring for the sake of it. This year it will be fascinating to see whether the Lions will live up to their brilliant traditions of old or attempt to become that uber-professional team that Woodward tried to build. I would like them to play hard but ultimately live up to the traditions of old. I would love McGeechan and Edwards to talk about what it means to be a lion and the importance of red shirt.




After three rounds of the six nations my Lions side would be:


15. Byrne (Wales)

14. Scotland (Wales)

13. O’Driscoll (Ireland)

12. Shanklin (Wales)

11. Williams (Wales)

10. Jones (Wales)

9. O’Leary (Ireland)

8. Hyslip (Ireland)

7. Willams (Wales)

6. Worsley (England)

5. O Connell (Ireland)

4. Wyn Jones (Wales)

3. Jones (Wales)

2. Rees (Wales)

1. Jenkins (Wales)


The beauty of the Lions is that it could all change as team combinations are worked out and the inevitable dark horse comes through. Think of Young 1989, Gibbs 1993 and Bentley 1997.