Piers Morgan, the ever-opinionated Good Morning Britain host, has turned his attention to rugby, unveiling his all-time British & Irish Lions XV.
True to form, Morgan has declared his selection to be beyond dispute — a bold claim guaranteed to stir up debate among fans.
Here’s a breakdown of his picks:
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Front Row Powerhouses
Loosehead Prop: Jason Leonard (England)
Known as “The Fun Bus,” Leonard’s record 114 caps for England and three Lions tours earn him Morgan’s nod. A true scrum anchor.
Hooker: Keith Wood (Ireland)
The “Raging Potato” was an unstoppable force for the Lions, with his dynamic playmaking and unmatched work rate.
Tighthead Prop: Fran Cotton (England)
The man behind the iconic mud-covered Lions photo, Cotton brought grit and leadership to the pack.
Towering Locks
Lock: Martin Johnson (England)
England’s World Cup-winning captain and Lions talisman is a no-brainer for Morgan.
Lock: Willie John McBride (Ireland)
The legendary Irish lock and record-setting Lions captain gets the nod for his incredible legacy.
Dynamic Back Row
Flanker: Richard Hill (England)
The silent assassin of England’s back row, Hill’s work rate and defensive mastery make him indispensable.
Flanker: Fergus Slattery (Ireland)
A key figure in the famous 1974 Lions tour, Slattery’s athleticism and leadership stood out.
Number 8: Mervyn Davies (Wales)
“Merv the Swerve” combined elegance and power, making him one of the greatest to ever wear the No. 8 jersey.
Halfback Legends
Scrum-half: Gareth Edwards (Wales)
Arguably the greatest rugby player of all time, Edwards’ creativity and athleticism earn him this spot.
Fly-half: Barry John (Wales)
“The King” of fly-halves, John’s flair and precision set the standard for generations.
Electrifying Backline
Winger: Tony O’Reilly (Ireland)
A Lions record try-scorer, O’Reilly’s speed and finishing ability were unmatched.
Centre: Scott Gibbs (Wales)
Known for his thunderous tackling and powerful runs, Gibbs epitomized the Lions’ physicality.
Centre: Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)
A modern-day legend, “BOD” dazzled with his creativity, leadership, and incredible try-scoring record.
Winger: Gerald Davies (Wales)
A master of sidesteps and acceleration, Davies terrorized defences on Lions tours.
Fullback: JPR Williams (Wales)
The iconic Welshman’s fearless style and rock-solid defence make him Morgan’s ultimate No. 15.
Morgan’s XV spans eras and nations, but will it win over the fans? One thing’s for sure: he’s loving the attention. Let the debates begin!
Editors picks:
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Can you name the entire British & Irish Lions squad from their tour of New Zealand in 2005?
The British & Irish Lions’ tour of New Zealand in 2005 remains one of the most talked-about campaigns in rugby history.
Despite facing a formidable All Blacks side, the squad was packed with legendary talent representing England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
From unforgettable tries to moments of controversy, this tour had it all—and it’s time to see just how much you remember!
Can you recall every player who pulled on the famous red jersey during that iconic tour? Dive into this quiz to test your Lions knowledge and relive a piece of rugby history!
