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Lions Legends XV

Sky Sports rugby union writer Tony Curtis names his ultimate British and Irish Lions team from past tours.

With less than a month to go before the British and Irish Lions depart for their tour of Australia, we look back at a team of legendary tourists.

1 Fran Cotton

The giant England prop played seven Tests - and 34 matches in total - for the Lions between 1974 and 1977. Cotton, who could play on either side of the scrum, also toured in 1980 only for a health scare to end his tour prematurely. Alongside Ian McLauchlan and Bobby Windsor, Cotton helped take apart South Africa during the 3-0 series win in '74.

2 Keith Wood

The Ireland hooker made five Test appearances for the Lions between 1997 and 2001. He was part of the pocket-sized front-row - alongside Tom Smith and Paul Wallace - that dismantled the Springboks in 1997. While his free-running style earned him the tag 'The Raging Potato', he was also an inspirational character who symbolised the Lions ethos.

3 Graham Price

The Pontypool prop is the most-capped Lions front-row, having appeared in 12 successive Tests between 1977 and 1983. Tough as teak in the scrum, Price impressed on the tour to New Zealand in 1977 before he took on the Springboks at their own game three years later. Although a master of the dark arts up front, Price was also a useful ball carrier as well.

4 Martin Johnson

The only man to captain two tours, Johnson has booked his place in the history of the Lions. Johnson first toured in 1993, arriving in New Zealand as a replacement for Wade Dooley despite having been capped just once, before skippering the side in 1997 - when the Lions beat south Africa 2-1 - and 2001. Johnson led by example, playing in 15 games in total.

5 Willie John McBride

When people talk of the Lions, McBride is a player who stands out more than most. Like compatriot Gibson, McBride toured five times but the Ulsterman famously skippered the 1974 squad that brushed aside all-comers. An inspirational leader, McBride was also the pack leader in 1971 and was the brains behind the infamous "99" call three years later. Between 1962 and 1974 he would make 70 appearances.

6 Richard Hill

Hill had made just the four international appearances when he was called up for the 1997 trip. He went on to play a crucial role as the Lions won the first two Tests to clinch the series - and four years later in Australia he was equally impressive for one and a half Tests before injury struck. It was the turning point as the Lions lost in his absence. Hill would also play one Test in 2005.

7 Fergus Slattery

Slattery first toured with the Lions in 1971 and impressed with his determination and bravery in New Zealand. Only illness ruled him out of making a Test appearance, however his time was to come three years later. He played all four Tests in South Africa and he was denied the match-winning try in the drawn fourth Test when the referee claimed he couldn't see the grounding of the ball.

8 Merv Davies

'Merve the Swerve' is arguably not only greatest No 8 to grace the Lions, but the world game itself. The Welshmen was pivotal to the series wins in 1971 and 1974 - and he seemed destined to skipper the tourists three years later only for a brain haemorrhage to end his career prematurely. Davies scored eight tries in 26 matches for the Lions - and appeared in all eight Tests.

Coach: Sir Ian McGeechan

Who better to lead the legends than the Lions King himself? Two tours as a player - with eight Tests between 1974 and 1977 - were followed by four as head coach and one as assistant. McGeechan guided the Lions to series wins over Australia (1989) and South Africa (1997) while he was unlucky not to overcome the All Blacks in 1993 and the Boks in 2009. As coach of the 'dirt-trackers' during the 2005 tour to New Zealand, McGeechan's side would finish unbeaten in five matches. As head coach, McGeechan took charge of 48 matches for the Lions, winning 36, drawing one and losing 11. Watch the every Lions game live and exclusive only on Sky Sports. To sign up or upgrade click here

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