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

by Stephen Jones, Nick Cain, Tom English

For 125 years the British & Irish Lions have stood out as a peerless emblem in world sport. This unique account of the best from the four Home Nations examines every tour in the Lions’ history, including the victorious 2013 tour to Hong Kong and Australia, told in the players’ words.

Behind the Lions sees rugby writers from across the Home Nations delve to the heart of what it means to be a Lion, interviewing a vast array of former and current players to uncover the passion, pride and exhilaration experienced when wearing the famous red jersey. It is a tale of heartbreak and ecstasy, humour and poignancy that is at once inspirational, moving and utterly compelling. This is the story of the British & Irish Lions in their own words.

400 pages, Mass Market Paperback

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.