The British & Irish Lions tours are among the most prestigious events in the rugby calendar, bringing together the best players from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales to face off against the southern hemisphere’s elite.
However, some exceptional talents have never had the honour of donning the famous red jersey. Here are five standout players who, despite their brilliance, never played for the Lions.
5. Chris Paterson (Scotland)
With a staggering 109 caps for Scotland and 809 Test points, Christopher Douglas Paterson is one of rugby’s greats who never toured with the Lions. Known for his skill and versatility, Paterson could play both fly-half and full-back with ease. Despite strong cases for inclusion in the 2001, 2005, and 2009 tours, Paterson was overlooked, partly due to Scotland’s underwhelming performances during those periods.
4. Dylan Hartley (England)
Dylan Hartley, a former England captain, was a formidable presence on the field, known for his precise line-out throws and physicality. His chance to tour with the Lions seemed certain when he was named in the squad for the 2013 tour to Australia. However, an 11-week ban for verbally abusing referee Wayne Barnes in the English Premiership final dashed his hopes, leaving him among the notable absentees.
3. Peter Stringer (Ireland)
Peter Stringer, the former Ireland scrum-half, was a maestro in game management, seamlessly linking forwards and backs. His critics often pointed to his limited attacking threat with the ball in hand, but Stringer silenced them by scoring the decisive try in Munster’s 2006 Heineken Cup final victory.
Despite his excellence, Stringer never made it onto a Lions tour, a surprising omission given his pivotal role for both club and country.
