With the British and Irish Lions now in camp in Australia, it’s time to look again on the youngest gamers to have pulled on the well-known crimson jersey. From loosehead prop to fullback, listed below are the 15 youngest gamers of the skilled period to symbolize the Lions, whether or not in a midweek sport or a Check match.
The age listed for every participant is their age on the time of the ultimate match of that sequence.
1. Mako Vunipola (22 / Lions No. 787 / 2013 tour)
The previous Saracens prop made his Lions debut on the 2013 tour, coming off the bench within the first Check towards Australia. Aged 22, his work price and set-piece nous have been central to the Lions securing their first sequence win in 16 years. He went on to be chosen once more in 2017 and 2021.
2. Barry Williams (23 / Lions No. 672 / 1997)
A shock choice for the 1997 tour of South Africa, Wales hooker Barry Williams performed a number of midweek video games. Although he didn’t win a Check cap, he contributed to victories over Jap Province XV, Border and Western Province.
3. Matt Stevens (22 / Lions No. 741 / 2005)
The previous Bathtub, Sharks and Toulon prop featured within the 2005 squad, taking part in towards Otago, Southland and Wellington. Regardless of later off-field controversy, Stevens earned a second tour call-up in 2013 beneath Warren Gatland.
4. Richie Gray (23 / Lions No. 781 / 2013)
Scotland’s towering lock performed 14 minutes within the last Check of the 2013 sequence. His lineout presence additionally helped the vacationers to wins over the Melbourne Rebels, Mixed Nation and the Reds.
5. Maro Itoje (22 / Lions No. 825 / 2017)
Now Lions captain, Itoje made his debut tour in 2017, only a yr after his England debut. After impressing towards the M?ori All Blacks, the 22-year-old began all three Checks. His efficiency within the second Check remains to be considered one of many most interesting in latest Lions reminiscence.
6. Tom Croft (23 / Lions No. 764 / 2009)
Among the many quickest flankers of his era, Croft earned three Check caps on the 2009 tour to South Africa. He scored twice within the sequence opener nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient to stop defeat to the Springboks.
7. Henry Pollock (20 / TBD / 2025)
The youngest participant within the present squad, Pollock made his Lions debut at 20, taking part in 32 minutes within the loss to Argentina. If chosen for the Checks, he may change into the youngest Lions Check participant of the skilled period.
8. Eric Miller (21 / Lions No. 679 / 1997)
The youngest member of the 1997 squad, Eire again row Eric Miller featured for 5 minutes within the second Check earlier than damage dominated him out of the decider. He made his Ireland debut that very same yr and performed internationally till 2006.
9. Ben Youngs (23 / Lions No. 799 / 2013)
The now-retired scrum-half performed in a number of midweek video games in 2013 and began the primary two Checks. Nonetheless, Mike Phillips reclaimed the beginning No. 9 shirt, with Conor Murray most well-liked on the bench.
10. Owen Farrell (21 / Lions No. 780 / 2013)
Farrell was simply 21 when chosen for the 2013 tour. Having debuted for England the yr earlier than, he featured in midweek fixtures earlier than showing within the last Check.
11. Stuart Hogg (21 / Lions No. 783 / 2013)
The youngest participant on the 2013 tour, Hogg didn’t break into the Check facet however completed with 23 factors from three midweek outings. He must wait till 2021 to earn his first Lions Check cap.
12. George North (21 / Lions No. 792 / 2013)
That fireman-carry of Israel Folau stays iconic. North’s physicality, stamina and scoring menace have been central to the Lions’ sequence win in Australia. The Ospreys winger bagged two tries throughout three standout performances.
13. Brian O’Driscoll (21 / Lions No. 697 / 2001)
O’Driscoll’s debut was unforgettable, scoring an excellent solo strive within the first Check. The Eire and Leinster nice proved a handful all through and went on to tour in 2005, 2009 and 2013—one among just some gamers to tour 4 instances.
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (20 / Lions No. 846 / 2021)
Rees-Zammit burst onto the scene in 2021, scoring tries towards the Stormers, Lions and Sharks. Although he didn’t function within the Checks, he was the youngest participant on tour and stays the second-youngest Lion of the professional period.
15. Leigh Halfpenny (20 / Lions No. 775 / 2009)
Chosen by Ian McGeechan at 20, Halfpenny missed the Check sequence on account of damage however featured in a single midweek match. He would change into a key Check participant in 2013.
Honourable mentions
Tadhg Furlong (24 / Lions No. 818 / 2017)
Although not fairly younger sufficient to make the XV above, Furlong was nonetheless among the many youngest props to function for the Lions. He performed a key position within the 2017 sequence draw with New Zealand and stays a mainstay in Lions conversations.
Taulupe Faletau (22 / Lions No. 779 / 2013)
Faletau performed in a single Check in 2013 and has been a part of each Lions marketing campaign since. Accidents allowing, he stays a robust contender.
Jonny Wilkinson (22 / Lions No. 714 / 2001)
Two years earlier than World Cup glory, Wilkinson toured Australia and began within the sequence decider. Regardless of a advantageous efficiency, the Lions have been edged out 29–23. He would return to hang-out the Wallabies in 2003.
