Lions rugby players to get ceremonial caps

All 835 players, who have featured in a competitive rugby match for the British and Irish Lions, will receive a ceremonial cap.

The British and Irish Lions will award ceremonial caps to every player who has featured in a competitive match for the touring side.

A total of 835 players, 419 living and the next of kin of 416 dead members, will receive the caps and a recognition letter from Lions chairman Tom Grace.

The hand-stitched caps will bear each player's unique playing number, and the recognition comes ahead of the 130th anniversary of the team's first game on April 28, 1888 against Otago.

"We are recognising the contribution of all those who have crossed the touchline in a Lions jersey since 1888," Grace said.

"It is a mark of respect for those who have contributed to this most-loved touring team - a team that holds a special place in the hearts of players and fans alike."

Made up of players from the English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish unions, the Lions rotate tours every four years to New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.

Grace, who toured with the Lions in 1974, also awarded caps to the Lions' oldest living captain Ronnie Dawson, whose playing number is 388, and the youngest captain Sam Warburton, who led the 2013 and 2017 tours.

"It feels like the missing piece of the jigsaw to add your Lions cap to go with your others - your international and your club caps," Warburton said.

"This makes it all come flooding back, and makes you realise how prestigious a thing it is to play for the Lions."


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world