"Once a Lion, always a Lion." Illustration Series.
With the British and Lions rugby tour fast approaching I have decided to create an illustration series on some of the greatest players to ever wear the red jersey. There will be fifteen player posters released leading up to the tour with Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England all being represented.
JPR Williams - "Once a Lion, Always a Lion." Illustration Series #1 of 15.
The first in the series is a personal hero of mine JPR Williams. Fearless, exciting, uncompromising and an unbelievable talent. The crowds would hold their breath whenever he received the ball because JPR nearly always created an attacking opportunity. Never afraid of the rough stuff either when some backs would get themselves out of the way of a fight he would be running past them in the opposite direction. He toured with the Lions in 1971 and 1974 and played for Wales at fullback between 1969 - 1981. A true rugby legend.
Willie john McBride - "Once a Lion, Always a Lion." Illustration Series #2 of 15.
Captain, pack leader, a force to be reckoned with, Willie John McBride is the most capped Lion ever with 17 caps. Touring five times in 1962, 66, 68, 71 and 74. He also captained the most successful ever Lions side, which toured and won in South Africa in 1974 and a series win in New Zealand in 1971. He was and still is a force of nature driving and inspiring all those around him to incredible feats. Growing up in Northern Ireland he played at lock in 63 Tests for Ireland including eleven as captain. A true Lion.
Sir Ian McGeechan - "Once a Lion, Always a Lion." Illustration Series #3 of 15.
When I think of someone who has dedicated most of their life to the Lions that would be Ian McGeechan. The Scot was a member of the invincible 1974 tour of South Africa and he toured again in 1974. A fly half and centre McGeechan was fast of pace and of mind. Strong in defence and always will in attack an all round player.
But his love for the Lions was too strong to keep him away and he was head coach for the Lions tours of 1989, 93, 97 and 09 winning two of those tours. There are few who have given more to the Lions than Ian McGeechan.
Jonny Wilkinson - "Once a Lion, Always a Lion." illustration series #4 of 15.
I think it is safe to say that from all the lions 10's there were few who could tackle harder than Wilkinson. There were some who, you could argue, could kick as good as him but only maybe. But there are less still who could merge tackling, kicking and orchestrating a backline as good as he did. An unbelievable talent and competitor Jonny would later go on to say that perhaps he pushed himself too hard to be perfect 100% of the time.
As a Lion he toured in Australia in '01 and the ill fated tour of New Zealand in '05. He is the 2nd top points scorer in the history of the Lions with 67 points in 6 apps. A truly great Lion.
Brian O'Driscoll - "Once a Lion, Always a Lion." illustration series #5 of 15.
Only the third player in 125 years of Lion's history to be picked for four tours. A captain, a numerous record breaker, a leader in both attack and defence, Brian O'Driscoll needs no introduction.
One of the greatest players of our generation and possibly of all time O'Driscoll first toured in Australia in 2001 bursting onto the world stage with one of the most memorable tries for the Lions. He would later go on to be tour captain of the ill fated New Zealand tour in 2005. But sadly get seriously injured only after playing for a few minutes.
In the 2009 tour of South Africa Brian would start the first two tests and provide two assists before a monstrous tackle on Danie Roussouw saw both players leave the field of play and end his tour.
The outside centre played the first two tests of the 2013 tour of Australia and helped the Lions to a series win. He would finish his time with the Lions, being selected as captain, appearing in four tours and playing in eight tests.
A true Lion.
Phil Bennett - "Once a Lion, Always a Lion." illustration series #6 of 15.
Another Welsh wizard for the British and Irish Lions. Bennett was a fly half who played eight times and scored forty four points making him the fifth highest points scorer in the history of the Lions.
He had an array of attacking tricks which mugged many a team and player from stepping, a varied kicking game, intelligent passing to out and out pace. Every time he got the ball you felt that he could create something. Like that fifty meter try he scored against South Africa at Pretoria.
Phil Bennett will always be remembered as a honoured Lion.
Another Welsh wizard for the British and Irish Lions. Bennett was a fly half who played eight times and scored forty four points making him the fifth highest points scorer in the history of the Lions.
He had an array of attacking tricks which mugged many a team and player from stepping, a varied kicking game, intelligent passing to out and out pace. Every time he got the ball you felt that he could create something. Like that fifty meter try he scored against South Africa at Pretoria.
Phil Bennett will always be remembered as a honoured Lion.
JJ Williams - "Once a Lion, Always a Lion." illustration series #7 of 15.
In his early career, Williams was a talented sprinter, later becoming a member of the Wales rugby team that won the Five Nations Championship in 1975, 1976, 1978 and 1979, including Grand Slam wins in 1976 and 1978.
Williams played for the Bridgend Ravens and Llanelli RFC in the 1970s. His time at Llanelli included a famous win against the All Blacks in 1972. He was a key try creator and scorer for the 1974 British Lions tour to South Africa. After his retirement in 1980, Williams became a pundit and commentator for BBC Cymru Wales and later a successful businessman. His son, Rhys, is a professional track and field athlete.
Gone but never forgotten.
Williams played for the Bridgend Ravens and Llanelli RFC in the 1970s. His time at Llanelli included a famous win against the All Blacks in 1972. He was a key try creator and scorer for the 1974 British Lions tour to South Africa. After his retirement in 1980, Williams became a pundit and commentator for BBC Cymru Wales and later a successful businessman. His son, Rhys, is a professional track and field athlete.
Gone but never forgotten.
