LIST | The FIVE best players to never wear a Lions jersey

Tuesday, 30 March 2021 at 20:36

byRugby Rucker

RUCK rugby takes a look through the history books and brings you the FIVE most talented players never to wear the famous Lions jersey.

1. Chris Robshaw (England)

Being captain of your country does not earn you a place in a Lions squad by right, as Chris Robshaw found out in 2013. He then picked up an injury at a crucial time before the tour in 2017. Maybe didn’t quite have athleticism or explosiveness needed to become a Lion.

DID YOU KNOW? He was engaged to his girlfriend of 6 years, Camilla Kerslake, before they married in France on 29 June 2018

2. Peter Stringer (Ireland)

Making his debut in 2000, Stringer went on to become an Ireland fan favourite, winning 98 caps in the process. He played at the 2003 and 2007 Rugby World Cup’s and was a key figure in the sides that won the Six Nations Triple Crown in 2004, 2006, and 2007.

It remains baffling how Clive Woodward chose not to take him in 2005 when they had four scrum halves in the squad (Dwayne Peel, Chris Cusiter, Gareth Cooper and Matt Dawson).

DID YOU KNOW? On 12 August 2000, Stringer played for the Barbarians against Germany

3. Jonathan Davies (Wales)

A switch to rugby league, which was professional at the time, deprived former Wales star of ever pulling on the Lions jersey, despite being one of his country’s greatest ever players.

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While his exclusion was by his own design, he is still a player that would have undoubtedly toured in 1989 and 1993 had he not left union.

DID YOU KNOW? A goal-kicking backline player, he played his club rugby in Wales, England and Australia

4. Mike Tindall (England)

Arguably one of England’s most consistent performers of his era, Tindall was a key member of the side that captured the Rugby World Cup crown in 2003. But during his career, which was at times a stop-start affair due to injury, he was never able to go on tour with the Lions.

DID YOU KNOW? Tindall was named a replacement for the Barbarians against the British and Irish Lions as part of their 2013 tour to Australia.

5. Chris Paterson (Scotland)

Paterson was a stalwart of the Scottish side for more than a decade in a variety of positions, winning 109 caps and becoming for a time the most prolific points-scorer in international rugby.

With the 2001, 2005 and 2009 tours all falling in his impressively consistent career it amazed many a rugby fan when his name was omitted from the Lions squad.

DID YOU KNOW? In 2011 he appeared on cereal boxes for Scott's Porage Oats along with Ross Ford and Thom Evans.