Piers Morgan has named his all-time Lions XV - it's sparked serious debate

Rugby News
Monday, 23 June 2025 at 10:40
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Piers Morgan — the loudmouth British journo who’s never shy to ruffle feathers — has turned his fire onto rugby, dropping his all-time British & Irish Lions XV.
No surprises here: Morgan’s backing his picks like they’re gospel, daring anyone to argue. Expect the fanboys to blow a gasket.
Here’s the lowdown on his lineup:

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MORGAN'S ALL-TIME BRITISH & IRISH LIONS XV

Front Row Powerhouses

Loosehead Prop: Jason Leonard (England)
Known as “The Fun Bus,” Leonard’s record 114 caps for England and three Lions tours earn him Morgan’s nod. A true scrum anchor.
Hooker: Keith Wood (Ireland)
The “Raging Potato” was an unstoppable force for the Lions, with his dynamic playmaking and unmatched work rate.
Tighthead Prop: Fran Cotton (England)
The man behind the iconic mud-covered Lions photo, Cotton brought grit and leadership to the pack.
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Towering Locks

Lock: Martin Johnson (England)
England’s World Cup-winning captain and Lions talisman is a no-brainer for Morgan.
Lock: Willie John McBride (Ireland)
The legendary Irish lock and record-setting Lions captain gets the nod for his incredible legacy.

Dynamic Back Row

Flanker: Richard Hill (England)
The silent assassin of England’s back row, Hill’s work rate and defensive mastery make him indispensable.
Flanker: Fergus Slattery (Ireland)
A key figure in the famous 1974 Lions tour, Slattery’s athleticism and leadership stood out.
Number 8: Mervyn Davies (Wales)
“Merv the Swerve” combined elegance and power, making him one of the greatest to ever wear the No. 8 jersey.

Halfback Legends

Scrum-half: Gareth Edwards (Wales)
Arguably the greatest rugby player of all time, Edwards’ creativity and athleticism earn him this spot.
Fly-half: Barry John (Wales)
“The King” of fly-halves, John’s flair and precision set the standard for generations.

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Electrifying Backline

Winger: Tony O’Reilly (Ireland)
A Lions record try-scorer, O’Reilly’s speed and finishing ability were unmatched.
Centre: Scott Gibbs (Wales)
Known for his thunderous tackling and powerful runs, Gibbs epitomized the Lions’ physicality.
Centre: Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)
A modern-day legend, “BOD” dazzled with his creativity, leadership, and incredible try-scoring record.
Winger: Gerald Davies (Wales)
A master of sidesteps and acceleration, Davies terrorized defences on Lions tours.
Fullback: JPR Williams (Wales)
The iconic Welshman’s fearless style and rock-solid defence make him Morgan’s ultimate No. 15.
Morgan’s XV spans eras and nations, but will it win over the fans? One thing’s for sure: he’s loving the attention. Let the debates begin!
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