The greatest Irish Lions XV of the professional era

Some big calls in here.

In a months’ time, the 2021 British & Irish Lions squad will depart for South Africa for the eight-game tour. Eight Irish players will be pushing hard to make the Lions XV.

There are eight Irish players in the Lions’ 37-man squad, and there could be another couple called up as cover as the weeks go on.

At present, though, with eight of the ‘Class of 2021’ taken into account, there have been 42 Irish players to make it on tour. Jerry Flannery, Tomás O’Leary and Alan Quinlan were all originally selected in 2009 but missed out through injury and, in Quinlan’s case, suspension.

We have taken a look back at that list of players and selected the greatest Irish Lions XV of the professional era [from August 1995 to the present day]. That takes in seven tours, dating back to the victorious 1997 tour to South Africa.

We are basing our selections on the players’ impact during the tours. That will rule out four of the 2021 selections, but we will update this XV after this summer’s tour to South Africa.

FULLBACK – Rob Kearney

Had a stunning Test Series against the Springboks in 2009. Started off as back-up to Lee Byrne but replaced him in the first half of the First Test and never looked back. Scored a great try in the Second Test. Toured again in 2013 but hamstring issues thwarted his Test chances.

RIGHT WINGER – Tommy Bowe

Started all three Tests on the 2009 tour and had a fine series. Hand injury threatened his Test appearances in 2013 but he made a remarkable comeback to feature in the first two Tests against the Wallabies.

OUTSIDE CENTRE – Brian O’Driscoll

Four tours, from 2001 to 2013, with the highlight being his stunning First Test try against the Wallabies, in 2001, and his 2009 centre partnership with Jamie Roberts.

INSIDE CENTRE – Rob Henderson

Three of his 19 Test starts [out of 32 Test appearances] were as a British & Irish Lion. Not bad going. Formed a midfield partnership with O’Driscoll in 2001 and started all the Tests as the Lions lost 2-1 to the Aussies.

LEFT WINGER – Luke Fitzgerald

Scored against the Sharks in the warm-up games and was pushing hard for the Test Series. Only played one Test – that nail-biting Second Test loss to South Africa – but acquitted himself well, even after copping an early eye-gouge from Schalk Burger.

OUTHALF – Johnny Sexton

One of the most influential Irish Lions of the modern era. Started all three Tests of the successful series against the Wallabies, in 2013, and scored a try in the decider. Came back into the starting XV against the All Blacks, in 2017, as the Lions rallied from 1-0 to square then share the series.

SCRUMHALF – Conor Murray

Even though he has no competition for the position – as the only Irish scrumhalf to tour in the pro era – Murray has been an excellent Lion. Battled with Ben Youngs to back up Mike Phillips, in 2013, but was top dog in New Zealand and had the locals raving about him.

LOOSEHEAD – Jack McGrath

Came off the bench for Mako Vunipola in all three Tests of the drawn series against New Zealand, in 2017. Cian Healy was looking set for Test Series action, in 2013, until injury cut his tour short.

HOOKER – Keith Wood

A two-time Lion (1997 and 2001) and a hell of a player. Was immense in the 1997 series win over the Springboks – starting in both Test wins – and played in all three games of a captivating 2001 tilt with the Wallabies.

TIGHTHEAD – Tadhg Furlong

One of the stand-out performers of the 2017 tour to New Zealand, and likely to be equally pivotal against the South Africans. A modern-day, mobile prop that more than holds up his side of the scrum. This is the tightest call of them all, as Paul Wallace was immense on the 1997 tour.

SECOND ROW – Jeremy Davidson

Started all three Tests of the unforgettable 1997 Test Series triumph against the Boks, and was lauded for his work-rate. Toured again in 2001 but did not play in the Tests.

SECOND ROW – Paul O’Connell

Another three-time Lion and a guy that stood up and was counted against the All Blacks in 2005. Captained the Lions against the Springboks in 2009 – battling Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha – and played in the 2013 First Test win over Australia. Broke his arm in that game, but played on until the end.

BLINDSIDE – Sean O’Brien

The versatile back row played twice in the 2013 Test Series against the Wallabies and started all three games against the All Blacks in 2017. Scored a try in the First Test and the locals were comparing him to Richie McCaw. The highest Kiwi compliment a forward can get.

OPENSIDE – David Wallace

Toured in 2001 and featured in all three of the 2009 Tests against South Africa. A class act player that always commanded the respect of his peers.

NO.8 – Jamie Heaslip

Started all three Tests against South Africa, in 2009, and had a fine series. Then played two of the 2013 series against the Wallabies. Would have made the 2017 tour, too, had it not been for the March injury that eventually forced him to retire.

SUBS: Rory Best, Cian Healy, Paul Wallace, Donncha O’Callaghan, Eric Miller, CJ Stander, Ronan O’Gara, Geordan Murphy.

IRELAND’S LIONS SELECTIONS – 1997 to 2021

1997: Paul Wallace, Keith Wood, Jeremy Davidson, Eric Miller

2001: Keith Wood, Jeremy Davidson, Malcolm O’Kelly, David Wallace, Ronan O’Gara, Rob Henderson, Brian O’Driscoll, Tyrone Howe

2005: John Hayes, Shane Byrne, Malcolm O’Kelly, Donncha O’Callaghan, Paul O’Connell, Ronan O’Gara, Gordon D’Arcy, Brian O’Driscoll, Geordan Murphy, Denis Hickie, Shane Horgan

2009: Jerry Flannery*, John Hayes, Donncha O’Callaghan, Paul O’Connell, David Wallace, Stephen Ferris, Alan Quinlan*, Jamie Heaslip, Tomás O’Leary*, Ronan O’Gara, Gordon D’Arcy, Brian O’Driscoll, Keith Earls, Luke Fitzgerald, Rob Kearney

2013: Cian Healy, Rory Best, Tom Court, Paul O’Connell, Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien, Conor Murray, Johnny Sexton, Brian O’Driscoll, Tommy Bowe, Simon Zebo. Rob Kearney

2017: Jack McGrath, Rory Best, Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson, Peter O’Mahony, Sean O’Brien, CJ Stander, Conor Murray, Johnny Sexton, Robbie Henshaw, Jared Payne

2021: Andrew Porter, Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne, Iain Henderson, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki

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