Publisher name their five worst-ever British & Irish Lions – includes Stuart Hogg

 Bit before my time – but history hasn’t been kind to this tour.

Back in 2022, Pundit Arena ranked their least impressive Lions players of all time—and it’s a mix of injury misfortune, questionable call-ups, and players simply out of their depth.

Here’s a closer look at the infamous five.

Pundit Arena: “2013 and 2017 went badly for the Scot. The Lions stuck by Hogg for the second Test in 2021 but he was shaky under the high-ball and had no chance to shine in attack.”
RUCK says: It just never clicked for Hoggy in a Lions shirt. The harder he tried, the more it slipped away.

One of Scotland’s most decorated players of the modern era, Hogg racked up over 100 caps and starred for Exeter and Glasgow. But his three Lions tours never caught fire. A cruel injury ended his 2017 campaign early, and 2021's Tests saw him struggle under pressure.

? Verdict: Justified – A Lions career that promised so much, but ultimately under-delivered.

Pundit Arena: “Choosing to select an enormous 44-man squad, Clive Woodward made several left-field selections. None more so than a Sale Sharks hooker with only two caps for England. His technical and physical skills were not good enough for the Lions.”
RUCK says: He shouldn’t have been anywhere near that squad.

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Titterrell was a dynamic hooker in domestic rugby, part of a strong Sale side, but had just two England caps to his name. His 2005 Lions inclusion raised eyebrows then—and hasn’t aged well.

? Verdict: Justified – There were better hookers left at home.

Pundit Arena: “Whilst not selected for the Test team, the London Irish man must be considered one of the strangest call-ups in Lions history, joining the squad while on holiday with his family in 2013. He made no real impact to the trip but held up the scrum against the Melbourne Rebels.”
RUCK says: From sun lounger to scrum duty – one of the most bizarre Lions stories ever.

Court was a reliable prop for Ireland and Ulster, known more for his versatility than dominance. His emergency call-up in 2013 was admirable, but he was clearly a stopgap rather than a genuine contender.

? Verdict: Justified – A solid pro, but Lions quality? Not quite.

Pundit Arena: “Another bizarre call-up on the 2013 tour, the inside centre was brought in due to the glut of injuries sustained in the midfield. Now stranded in the international wilderness, one must assume he was fetched due to the convenience of him playing for England in Argentina.”
RUCK says: People forget how good Twelvetrees was at his peak – this feels like hindsight bias.

A classy centre with vision and a cultured boot, Twelvetrees was once heralded as England’s next big thing. He had impressed in the early stages of his Test career and was playing well for Gloucester. His Lions call-up made sense at the time, even if he didn’t leave a lasting mark.

? Verdict: Bit harsh – A victim of circumstance more than a bad player.

Pundit Arena: “First capped in 1984, he only represented England ten times, frequently criticised for his inability to convert his magnificent form for Bath onto the international stage. Ultimately after a torrid tour, losing six of 13 matches played, Barnes served as a perfect microcosm for its inadequate results in 1993, just not good enough.”

A mercurial talent with a brilliant rugby brain, Barnes was a standout at club level. But his England career never truly ignited, and the 1993 Lions tour to New Zealand was one to forget. His performances, like the team’s, were inconsistent and underwhelming.

? Verdict: Up to you – Talented, yes. A Lions legend? Definitely not.

From stunning tries to unforgettable moments—and yes, some hairstyles we’d rather forget—these players were at the heart of rugby’s golden era. If the names don’t come flooding back, it might be time to fire up YouTube and relive the magic.

Think you’ve got what it takes to ace this one? Let’s find out. Good luck!