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Ian McGeechan | Ian McGeechan |
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Matt Dawson - Images of the Lions by Gary Keane. Following an injury to first choice scrum half Rob Howley, Northampton and Englands Matt Dawson started for the crucial first test on the 21st June in Cape Town. With the game finely poised entering its final phase Matt scored an amazing try faking an overhead pass which fooled the whole Springbok defence leaving him to run in unopposed. This set up the platform for a famous victory and eventually an historic series win. |
Pride of Lions 74 by Keith Fearon. In 1974 the greatest rugby union side ever to leave the British Isles took on the mighty Springboks in a gruelling 22 match series, including four test matches. By the end, each member of that historic team had entered British Rugby folklore. Several of the victorious side from the 1971 tour of New Zealand united once again and accomplished a remarkable unbeaten record of 21 consecutive victories and a draw in the final test, however, many commentators feel that a perfect record was denied due to poor refereeing. Individual performances, which caught the headlines, included the magnificent half-back pairing of Phil Bennett and Gareth Edwards. JJ Williams completed two brilliant tries during the third test and finished with an impressive 112 tour tries in total. Roger Uttleys appearance in no less than 16 of the 22 games was a formidable achievement and JPR Williams, possibly the greatest ever full back, would have won the final test with a magnificent run to set up Fergus Slatterys try only for it to be dubiously disallowed. Scotlands Ian McGeechan demonstrated superb agility and pace in the centre whilst fellow country man, Andy Irvine, produced countless moments of sublime skill in the final two tests and will always be remembered as one of the most gifted players ever to don a Lions shirt. The Lions tremendous forward line led by inspirational Captain Willie John McBride was in many respects the driving force behind the success of the 1974 tour. McBrides courage and leadership singled him out above all others, as this was to be his fifth and final Lions tour. McBrides Lions career spanned a remarkable 12 years and 17 tests, a record, which may never be surpassed. The other forwards including Cotton, McLauchlan, Gordon Brown, Windsor, Slattery and Mervyn Davies combined effectively to set up a strong platform for victory and proved to be stalwarts in both attack and defence. Everyone returned from the 1974 tour a hero and it would be fair to say that this unparalleled squad is still a benchmark to which each and every successive Lions team since 1974 have strived to emulate. |
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