The Iconic 2013 British & Irish Lions Advert That Won Our Hearts

Thursday, 10 April 2025 at 20:10

byRugby Rucker

– and his picks are bound to raise a few eyebrows.

In the run-up to the 2013 British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia and Hong Kong, HSBC didn’t just drop a standard TV commercial—they delivered a masterpiece.

Competition: Get a Chance to Watch the Lions in Australia

A cinematic, spine-tingling homage to 125 years of Lions heritage, the advert brought together legends of the past and heroes of the then-present in an unforgettable, sea-shanty-laced epic.

It was more than a commercial—it was a love letter to rugby tradition.

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"125 Years, One Legendary Journey"

With a voiceover from head coach Warren Gatland and cameos from icons like Willie John McBride, Jason Robinson, Brian O’Driscoll, Gavin Hastings, and JPR Williams, the ad wasn't just visually captivating—it was emotionally rich. These weren’t just actors or stand-ins. These were the men who built the Lions legacy. Seeing them boarding a ship, stitching jerseys, and rallying together like seafarers off to battle stirred something primal in fans.

As HSBC described it:

"It’s 125 years since The British & Irish Lions first set sail to Australia. To celebrate the Lions’ anniversary and 2013 Tour to Hong Kong and Australia, HSBC re-imagines tales of the Lions past, present and future with Warren Gatland leading a crew of Lions heroes on a Legendary Journey..."

And what a journey it was.

? "South Australia" – The Anthem That Set the Tone

What made the advert instantly memorable was its soundtrack: a stirring rendition of the old sea shanty “South Australia”. A version reminiscent of The Pogues, it gave the entire film a gritty, defiant soul.

@Todyo1798 put it best:
“I f**ing love this ad so much, perfect tune and theme for the whole thing :D”*

And @thetruth583 added:
“It’s the Pogues ‘South Australia’ from the album ‘If I Should Fall from Grace with God’. Music to drink n fight to!”

Nothing could be more fitting.

? Fans React: The Comments Say It All

No other ad captured the heart of rugby fans quite like this one. YouTube became a shrine for those swept up by the emotion.

@Slaterations11: “Great ad!! :) Cannot wait to watch the Matches!! Another epic battle! :D”

@chrischan9456: “Brilliant advert for British & Irish Lions Tour”

@BigFanOfManyThings: “Want this to be a film!!”

@SuperThomas228: “Exactly! Only guys like O’Driscoll and Robinson get in and it’s hopefully gonna be one hell of a tour! :D”

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Dan Biggar names bold Lions XV – with big England omissions

Wales legend Dan Biggar has officially called time on his playing career, but not before dropping a blockbuster British & Irish Lions XV on The Rugby Pod

The 112-cap fly-half, who steered Wales through some of their finest Six Nations and World Cup moments, appeared on Jim Hamilton’s podcast this week and revealed his Lions dream team. Spoiler alert: there's no room for the likes of Owen Farrell, Johnny Sexton, or even himself.

Here’s how Biggar’s team shaped up…

Front-row firepower: Porter, Sheehan & Furlong

1. Andrew Porter
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong

It’s an all-Irish affair in the front row, with Biggar backing Leinster's dominant trio to boss the scrum. Furlong remains the Rolls-Royce of tightheads, while Sheehan and Porter provide dynamism in the loose.

Big boys in the boiler room: Itoje & Beirne

4. Maro Itoje
5. Tadhg Beirne

England’s Maro Itoje gets the nod despite some inconsistent recent form, with Biggar clearly still valuing his disruptive brilliance. He’s paired with the ever-reliable Beirne – a turnover machine and Lions Test starter in 2021.

Breakdown beasts: Curry, Van Der Flier & Doris (c)

6. Tom Curry
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris (captain)

This back row is pure chaos – in the best possible way. England’s Tom Curry returns to the fray, Ireland’s Van der Flier adds World Player of the Year pedigree, and Doris, who’s fast becoming a modern-day great, takes the armband. A fearless choice.

Livewire half-backs: Gibson-Park & Russell

9. Jamison Gibson-Park
10. Finn Russell

Gone are the days of conservative Lions 9-10 combos. Biggar’s gone full jazz here. Gibson-Park brings the zip, and Russell… well, Russell brings the flair. The Scotland maestro’s creativity earns him the No.10 jersey over Biggar himself – no ego here.

Fire on the flanks: Lowe & Kinghorn

11. James Lowe
14. Blair Kinghorn

Two versatile Scots fill the wing slots, with Kinghorn’s blend of size and speed complementing Lowe’s relentless work rate and booming left boot. Biggar clearly values adaptability out wide – and a bit of flair never hurts.

Caledonian connection in midfield: Tuipulotu & Jones

12. Sione Tuipulotu
13. Huw Jones

The Glasgow Warriors pairing have formed one of the deadliest centre combos in rugby, and Biggar’s kept them together. It’s a bold call, but one based on form and synergy rather than reputation alone.

Rock-solid fullback: Hugo Keenan

15. Hugo Keenan

No surprise here – Keenan has been Ireland’s Mr Consistent, and Biggar trusts him to be the safety net at the back. His positioning, aerial ability and counter-attacks make him a nailed-on pick.

The bench: a mix of muscle and mischief

Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Zander Fagerson, Ollie Chessum, Ben Earl, Jac Morgan, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith

It’s a stacked bench with serious impact. Genge and Fagerson bring brute force, while Earl and Morgan cover the back row with pace and punch. Marcus Smith adds some stardust, and Mitchell offers serious tempo at scrum-half.