British And Irish Lions Tour Starts Tomorrow

Thirty-five years after the incredible 1974 tour, The Lions return to South Africa tomorrow (30th May) to start their latest campaign. The ’74 tour was famous for many reasons; Willie John McBride’s captaincy ensured a complete set of ‘zeros’ in the loss column and the legendary ’99 call’ meant the tourists gave as good as they got against the notoriously ‘robust’ South Africans.

‘I said I would give a call: '999' for emergencies. Of course, that was too long and by the time I got to the second nine, everyone was getting stuck in, so '99' it became.’ – Willie John McBride, 1974 Lions captain

For the complete history of the Lions from its inception in 1888 to the most recent 2005 tour, our signed limited edition book is an indispensable history for all rugby fans. Signed by Willie John along with John Dawes, Brian Lochore, Morné du Plessis, John Eales, Bill Beaumont and Gavin Hastings it is the only complete history of The Lions ever to be published – and even includes ‘forgotten’ tours to South America.

To read more and to order your copy click here.

Left: Willie John McBride, 1974 Tour of South Africa