Behind The Lions: Playing Rugby for the British & Irish Lions

by Stephen Jones, Tom English, Nick Cain

For over 130 years the British & Irish Lions have stood out as a symbol of the ethics, values and romance at the heart of rugby union. To represent the Lions is the pinnacle for every international player in Britain and Ireland, and the dream of tens of thousands of avid fans who fol-low them. A Lions tour, undertaken every four years to the southern hemisphere, is more than a series of rugby matches played out on foreign fields; it is an epic crusade where the chosen few face a succession of mental and physical chal-lenges on their way to the Test arena, where they do battle with the superpowers of the world game.

Behind the Lions sees seven esteemed rugby writers delve to the very heart of what it means to be a Lion, using diaries and letters from those who pioneered the concept, to interviews with a vast array of players who have followed in their footsteps. In so doing they have uncovered the passion, pride and honour experienced when taking up the unique challenge of a Lions tour. This is a tale of heart-break and ecstasy, humour and poignancy that is at once inspirational, moving and utterly compelling. And it is the only story worth the players' own.

739 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2012

About the author

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There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name

Stephen Jones is a Welsh journalist and the rugby correspondent for The Sunday Times since 1970s. He has covered every World Cup since the inaugural tournament staged in 1987, has reported on more British and Irish Lions tours (nine) than any other journalist and also on over 300 international matches. He has won the UK sports journalist of the year award, has twice been UK sports correspondent of the year and three times rugby writer of the year.

Reviews

[Andrew Tweedie]

Comprehensive review of Lions tours from 1888 to 2013. Book comprises statements from selected players, coaches and management from each tour. Always statements were interesting and gave a insight into what happened both behind the scenes and on the field. The selection of players from each tour group for comments was small. Up until professionalism being the Lions tour to South Africa 1997, the off field behaviour accepted would certainly not be acceptable today. Copious quantities of alcohol were consumed but I guess it was the same for the opposition teams. The tours since 1997 are a marked contrast in terms of socialising, tactics, fitness, coaching and management. A page for each tour devoted to the team list and results would have been a useful addition.

[Keith Smith]

Want to know why playing for the lions is the greatest accolade in rugby? Then read this book.

[Geoff Mason]

A brilliant history of this very special team.