Behind the Lions' sees four esteemed rugby writers from each of the Home Nations delve to the heart of what it means to be a Lion, interviewing a vast array of former tourists to uncover the passion, pride and exhilaration experienced when wearing the famous red jersey. For 125 years the British & Irish Lions have stood out as a unique emblem in world sport. They represent the best of the best from the four Home Nations, coming together every four years under a united badge to take on the rugby greats of the Southern Hemisphere. Lions tours embody a revered legacy that is steeped in tradition yet maintains a vibrant standing in the modern era. The Lions badge is a symbol of the ethics, values and the romance at the heart of Test match rugby. Every four years the rugby world's focus is drawn to a great red pilgrimage as the Lions embark on a brutal and exhilarating tour that challenges the very limits of their rugby ability and the strengths of their characters. They travel to the far reaches of the earth to confront the great powers in the world game - and the weight of history itself. Behind the Lions sees four esteemed rugby writers from each of the Home Nations delve to the heart of what it means to be a Lion, interviewing a vast array of former tourists to uncover the passion, pride and exhilaration experienced when wearing the famous red jersey. It is a tale of heart-break and ecstasy, humour and poignancy that is at once inspirational, moving and utterly compelling. This is the story of the British & Irish Lions - in their own words.
Commemorating 125 years of tours by the British and Irish Lions rugby union team, this updated chronicle includes stories, anecdotes, interviews, and images from the 2013 Lions tour, the controversial and hugely exciting test series that witnessed the Lions’ greatest triumph in 16 years. Four respected rugby writers representing each of the Home Nations delve into what it means to play for the Lions. Interviewing a number of former players, they uncover the passion, pride, and exhilaration inherent in wearing the famous red jersey. At once inspirational and compelling, this book is a story of ecstasy, heartbreak, humor, and poignancy.
