#2009 – Leigh Halfpenny, aged 20
He was the youngest player in the 37-strong squad selected for the 2009 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa, but had his trip cut short through a thigh injury. He quickly recovered to establish himself as a key weapon in Warren Gatland’s Welsh side and he played in six of the seven games at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe was selected for a second Lions tour in 2013 and punished the Australians as he steered his side to a 2-1 series victory from full-back. In 2017, Halfpenny appeared four times, including emerging from the bench in the first Test against the All Blacks at Eden Park, and racked up 31 points with the boot.