McBride Chosen As Captain Of Lions Legends XV

Fourteen of the greatest British & Irish players to ever pull on the famous red Lions jersey were in London on Friday as the HSBC Lions Legends XV were finally unveiled.

A series of seven events has been held since November in aid of the Lions Charitable Trust and on Friday the team gathered for the first, and perhaps last ever, time.

The only absentee was also the only current player in the team. Voted for by thousands of rugby fans across the UK and Ireland. Brian O’Driscoll was excused from attending due to Saturday’s Heineken Cup semi-final between Leinster and Munster.

The 15 legends included seven Welsh, five Irish and three English players ranging from the 1960s to the forthcoming tour to South Africa this month

Willie John McBride was chosen as the captain of the team, beating Martin Johnson in a close vote by readers of the Daily Telegraph who partnered the HSBC Lions Legends series.

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS LEGENDS XV:

15: JPR WILLIAMS (Wales)

14: GERALD DAVIES (Wales)

13: BRIAN O’DRISCOLL (Ireland)

12: MIKE GIBSON (Ireland)

11: JJ WILLIAMS (Wales)

10: PHIL BENNETT (Wales)

9: GARETH EDWARDS (Wales)

1: FRAN COTTON (England)

2: KEITH WOOD (Ireland)

3: GRAHAM PRICE (Wales)

4: WILLIE JOHN McBRIDE (Ireland) (capt)

5: MARTIN JOHNSON (England)

6: RICHARD HILL (England)

7: FERGUS SLATTERY (Ireland)

8: MERVYN DAVIES (Wales)

HSBC is Principal Partner of the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa this summer