"Perfect player" - Gareth Edwards named the best British & Irish Lions player of all-time - Ruck

“Perfect player” – Gareth Edwards named the best British & Irish Lions player of all-time

In an exclusive release by the Guardian a few years back, Gareth Edwards has clinched the title of the greatest Lion of all time, as revealed in a comprehensive list of the top 50 British and Irish Lions.

A distinguished panel consisting of 12 experts, among them former Lions captains Bill Beaumont, Phil Bennett, and Finlay Calder, were tasked with nominating players based on their skill and individual impact on the Lions.

Contributors from both the Guardian and the Observer, including correspondents, editors, and other knowledgeable figures, also had a hand in shaping the final rankings.

Check out the full list below

50 best British & Irish Lions of all-time

50. Robert Jones (Wales) – Scrum-half – 1989 – P3 W2 D0 L1 – 73

49. Tom Smith (Scotland) – Prop – 1997, 2001 – P6 W3 D0 L3 – 75

48. Matt Dawson (England) – Scrum-half – 1997, 2001, 2005 – P7 W2 D0 L5 – 76

47. David Sole (Scotland) – Prop – 1989 – P3 W2 L1 – 90

46. Rhys Williams (Wales) – Lock – 1955, 1959 – P10 W5 L5 – 94

45. Neil Jenkins (Wales) – Fly-half – 1997, 2001 – P4 W2 D0 L2 – 99

44. Jason Robinson (England) – Fullback/Wing – 2001, 2005 – P5 W1 D0 L4 – 105

43. Roger Uttley (England) – Back row – 1974 – P4 W3 D1 L0 – 107

42. Bobby Windsor (Wales) – Hooker – 1974, 1977 – P5 W3 D1 L1 – 109

41. Jonny Wilkinson (England) – Fly-half – 2001, 2005 – P6 W1 D1 L4 – 110

40. Rob Andrew (England) – Fly-half – 1989, 1993 – P5 W3 D0 L2 – 110

39. Paul O’Connell (Ireland) – Lock – 2005, 2009 – P6 W1 D0 L5 – 114

38. Peter Wheeler (England) – Hooker – 1977, 1980 – P7 W2 L5 – 119

37. David Duckham (England) – Centre – 1971 – P3 W1 D1 L1 – 128

36. Jack Kyle (Ireland) – Fly-half – 1950 – P6 W2 D1 L3 – 147

35. Finlay Calder (Scotland) – Back row – 1989 – P3 W2 D0 L1 – 149

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