Lions tour of New Zealand 2017: Fixture schedule, betting odds, TV guide, results, squad details & history

The British and Irish Lions held back-to-back world champions New Zealand to a Test series draw in a hugely-impressive 2017 tour.

Having squared the three-match Test series at 1-1, the Lions were eyeing only their second ever series success over the All Blacks and the first since 1971 having lost the last four tours there, including an infamous 3-0 mauling back in 2005 under Sir Clive Woodward. 

But although the current crop were unable to enter rugby union immortality under New Zealander Warren Gatland, who led them to a 2-1 success in Australia four years ago, their 15-15 draw in the decider will still go down in folklore.

Here, we look back on the entire series, rate every player, pick out the key moments and assess who will coach the next tour in 2021.

British & Irish Lions Tour guide contents
1. 2017 Tour results & reports
2. Story of the tour
3. Player ratings
4. Coach contenders for 2021
5. Latest news
6. Squad details & pen pics
7. Lions record v New Zealand
8. More Lions tours history, results & stats
9. The global brand of the Lions 

Lions Tour 2017: Results and reports

Click on each scoreline for report and points scorers

Saturday June 3
New Zealand Provincial Barbarians 7-13 Lions
Venue: Toll Stadium, Whangarei

Wednesday June 7
Blues 22-16 Lions
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland

Saturday June 10
Crusaders 3-12 Lions
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch

Tuesday June 13
Highlanders 23-22 Lions
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

Saturday June 17
Maori All Blacks 10-32 Lions
Venue: Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua

Tuesday June 20
Chiefs 6-34 Lions
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

Saturday June 24
FIRST TEST: New Zealand 30-15 Lions
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland

Tuesday June 27
Hurricanes 31-31 Lions
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Saturday July 1
SECOND TEST: New Zealand 21-24 Lions
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Saturday July 8
THIRD TEST: New Zealand 15-15 Lions
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland

Story of the tour

Best moment

Sean O'Brien finished one of the all-time great Lions tries, albeit en route to the 30-15 first Test defeat at Eden Park. The Lions might have lost that Test series opener, but the Lions put the All Blacks firmly on alert with a score that will resonate across the ages. Liam Williams scythed clear from his own 22, thanks in no small measure from an astute and subtle blocking line from Ben Te'o. Jonathan Davies picked up the baton from Williams, before exchanging passes with Elliot Daly and then offloading the scoring pass to the lurking O'Brien. Some 80 metres from start to finish, to stun the All Blacks in their Auckland stronghold.

Star man

Jonathan Davies: The Wales centre excelled from start to finish, dismissing all his Lions rivals for the 13 shirt, and then making a fine statement across three top performances against the All Blacks. His two big hits on Jordie Barrett in the 15-15 drawn final Test showed everything about his industry and application, to add to no little talent.

Stat of the tour

The Lions only led the All Blacks for a total of three minutes across the entire three-Test series, but still managed to emerge with a one-all draw.

Three players who boosted their reportuation

Jamie George

The England hooker had never started a Test match until the Lions series, but excelled from the off in all three All Blacks encounters. The Saracens star will now be intent on heaping the pressure on England captain Dylan Hartley for the number two starting shirt in boss Eddie Jones' side.

Kyle Sinckler

The Harlequins prop arrived on tour as perhaps the third-choice tighthead - and left as the clear understudy to Ireland's Tadhg Furlong, who is now himself clearly the best number three in the northern hemisphere. Sinckler so often struggles to contain his latent fury and aggression. But if he can control his anger then he now has the chance to push himself to the front of England's queue as Jones' premier tighthead prop.

Ben Te'o

The Worcester centre was extremely hard done by to be dropped after a fine first Test showing where he completely shut down Sonny Bill Williams.

Three players who endured testing tours

Robbie Henshaw

The Leinster centre was expected to thrive on Lions duty after stunning the All Blacks with a tub-thumping performance when Ireland dispatched New Zealand 40-29 in Chicago last November. But he was simply unable to push himself into Test contention. And then to add insult to his frustrations, Henshaw suffered a torn pectoral muscle in the 31-31 Hurricanes draw which ended his tour prematurely.

George North

The Wales battering-ram wing was the standout star of the Lions' 2013 series win in Australia. But four years on, the Northampton paceman struggled for any kind of form, despite being handed plenty of opportunities to impress. North then suffered a hamstring injury in the Hurricanes draw, and was ruled out of the remainder of the trip.

Jonathan Joseph

England's fleet-footed outside centre was a late inclusion in the Lions squad, when boss Warren Gatland insisted he could not tour without the Bath star. The former London Irish midfielder simply failed to fire however, and was left trailing way behind Jonathan Davies in the race for the Test 13 shirt.

Lions player ratings

LIAM WILLIAMS: Created one of the greatest tries in Lions history when he attacked from deep in the first Test. He also made mistakes, but he is a thrilling counter-attacker. 7 /10

LEIGH HALFPENNY: Unlike in Australia four years ago, was more of a bit-part player this time round. Did not start a Test. 6

STUART HOGG: The Scotsman's tour was ended when he suffered a freak injury during the Crusaders game when team-mate Conor Murray's elbow caught him in the face. 6

ANTHONY WATSON: A wonderfully-elusive runner who was a handful for the New Zealand defence in all three Tests. Exciting to watch. 8

ELLIOT DALY: Enhanced his reputation by breaking into the Test team and starting all three All Blacks clashes. Also kicked a brilliant long-range penalty in the decider. 8

JACK NOWELL: Started the tour slowly, but he had his moments as it progressed. On the bench for second and third Tests. 6

GEORGE NORTH: Failed to make a mark and fell well below the blistering standards of his Lions tour to Australia four years ago. 5

TOMMY SEYMOUR: The Scotland wing showed his try-scoring prowess as a midweek team regular. 6

JARED PAYNE: Hampered by injury and then migraine trouble, meaning he was never able to hit top gear. 6

JONATHAN DAVIES: A magnificent tour in attack and defence. Won the Lions players' player award, and impossible to disagree. Outstanding. 9

JONATHAN JOSEPH: Could not hit the heights that he regularly manages with England. Some strong attacking moments, but also exposed in defence at times. 5

BEN TE'O: The powerful centre did a brilliant job on New Zealand dangerman Sonny Bill Williams in the first Test. Relished the big occasion. 8

ROBBIE HENSHAW: Travelled to New Zealand with his expectation, but things did not materialise, and then he suffered a tour-ending injury in the Hurricanes game. 5

OWEN FARRELL: Won the second Test and drew the third with his nerveless penalty kicking. Rock-solid temperament, although he was sometimes prone to making wrong decisions. 7

JOHNNY SEXTON: The Ireland fly-half worked well with Farrell at inside centre, and gave the Lions options with his game-management skills. 7

DAN BIGGAR: Had to settle for a midweek team role, but the Wales number 10 never let his head drop and provided a strong presence throughout. 7

CONOR MURRAY: Relished his scrum-half battle with New Zealand's Aaron Smith, and arguably shaded it across the Test series. Arguably now the world's premier number nine. 8

RHYS WEBB: Quick and with an eye for a gap, he understudied Murray strongly and was an excellent squad player. 7

GREIG LAIDLAW: Never really got going, and while an important midweek performer, he did not stand out. 5

MAKO VUNIPOLA: The England prop delivered some dominant displays in the tight and loose exchanges. All-action and aggression, he stepped up to the plate. 8

JACK McGRATH: Ireland's young loosehead prop did not put a foot wrong, and looks to have a glittering Test future ahead of him. 7

JOE MARLER: A mainstay of the midweek team, Marler consistently put in a shift as the Lions often had to dig deep. 7

TADHG FURLONG: A scrummaging rock for the Lions, he performed with a maturity beyond his years. Already approaching world-class status. 8

KYLE SINCKLER: The young England forward was over-exuberant at times, yet he also offered a great deal around the field. A rich learning experience. 7

DAN COLE: Like Marler, did not show any outward sign of disappointment at missing out on the Tests, doing his job diligently and professionally. 7

JAMIE GEORGE: Moved from England's reserve hooker to Lions Test team starter. George's career has leapt forward with his performances in New Zealand. 8

KEN OWENS: The Wales hooker found consistent levels throughout the tour when was called upon. Commanded respect. 7

RORY BEST: The most-used player as midweek captain, the Ireland skipper was a motivational presence on and off the pitch. 7

MARO ITOJE: England's 22-year-old lock went up another gear with the Lions. Relished the big occasions and taking on New Zealand's revered forwards. 9

ALUN WYN JONES: Has now played in nine successive Lions Tests, recovering from a shaky performance in the series opener to rediscover top form. 7

COURTNEY LAWES: Bristled with pace, power and aggression, and richly deserved a place in the Test match-day 23 on two occasions. 7

IAIN HENDERSON: Arguably the player most unlucky not to feature in a Test. Terrific work-rate, superb ball-carrier and quality set-piece exponent. 8

GEORGE KRUIS: Started the first Test, but had a poor game and then drifted out of the match-day 23 behind Itoje, Jones and Lawes. 5

SAM WARBURTON: The Welshman's second tour as Lions skipper saw him lead from the front in impressive fashion. Combined quality leadership on and off the pitch with performances to match on it. 8

PETER O'MAHONY: Captained the Lions in the first Test, but then made way for Warburton's return in Wellington. Strong, solid tourist. 7

SEAN O'BRIEN: A dynamic operator was arguably the glue of the Lions Test pack. Uncompromising and physical, he also scored an unforgettable first Test try. 8

CJ STANDER: Had his moments, and was on the bench in Tests two and three. Solid, rather than spectacular. 7

ROSS MORIARTY: His tour ended early through injury, denying him the chance to stake a claim for Test recognition. 5

JAMES HASKELL: Played his part largely on the midweek stage. A character whose infectious enthusiasm was important. 6

JUSTIN TIPURIC: Another Test squad hard luck story. Hardly missed a tackle all tour, delivering admirable consistency. 7

TAULUPE FALETAU: Showcased his ability as a world-class number eight. Just got on with his job, and he did it brilliantly. 8

Coach contenders for 2021

WARREN GATLAND, WALES

Wales head coach Gatland has refused to rule out a third successive tour as Lions boss in 2021. The 53-year-old is on the All Blacks' radar to replace current New Zealand boss Steve Hansen when he retires in 2019. Gatland's Wales contract expires after the 2019 World Cup, and he could now easily be drafted into the All Blacks set-up in due course. The former Wasps and Ireland boss could opt not to chase a role with the All Blacks however. And were he still available for Lions duty in four years, he would clearly boast the experience and acumen to man the helm once more.

EDDIE JONES, ENGLAND

England boss Jones has long since joked he will end up on the beach watching cricket in retirement after the 2019 World Cup. And yet in May Jones admitted he would be keen on the Lions role if he were in the right place at the right time when 2021 comes around. "I am open to everything. I don't sit there at night and think 'I hope I am going to be the next Lions coach'," said Jones in May. "Because it is such a unique job there is no natural progression to it. It is a one-off job which is decided at a certain time. "And if you are in the market and in the right area then you are going to get a call and get a tap on the shoulder. I wouldn't say no but I am not saying yes." Jones will know full well this statement leaves the Lions bosses on alert that he is fully interested in coaching the next tour.

DAI YOUNG, WASPS

Former Wales and Lions prop Young has excelled with Wasps in an upwardly-mobile coaching career that appears destined to take in a Test match stint sooner rather than later. Young ought to be on the radar as a potential replacement for Gatland as Wales boss. The 49-year-old former Cardiff coach appears very settled in the Premiership, and Wasps are certainly continuing to improve under his tutelage. Young understands the Lions' ethos and demands, and has also created a heavily attack-laden Wasps team that would appeal to traditionalists who want to see the famed touring side play with flair and pace.

MARK MCCALL, SARACENS

Former Ulster coach McCall's stunning success with Saracens must not be overlooked in any conversation about Test match-calibre coaches. Whether McCall wants a move into the Test arena remains to be seen. But the 49-year-old has built a stunning club dynasty at Saracens, where a full generation of England stars have blossomed in the same team. The spine of the 2017 Lions had a distinctly Saracens feel to it, and that could well be repeated in four years' time. McCall would certainly know how to set up an effective line-up, and could just add the subtle stardust to make the Lions thrive in South Africa.

GREGOR TOWNSEND, SCOTLAND

The former Lions fly-half has graduated from his coaching stint at Glasgow to lead Scotland. His foray into the Test arena represents a huge hike in challenge. But were Townsend to succeed in the coming years, he would certainly move himself into contention to coach the Lions. The 44-year-old built a Glasgow team in his playing image: fast, fleet-footed and boasting no little brain power on the ball. To thrive in the Test arena he must surely add a grittier edge to the Scotland ranks however. Achieve all that though, and he will merit inclusion in the 2021 Lions coaching chat.

JOE SCHMIDT, IRELAND

Ireland's Kiwi boss excelled with Clermont and Leinster, and has transferred his cerebral and detailed coaching style into the Test arena. Ireland's maiden win over New Zealand in Chicago in November, the 40-29 victory at Soldier Field, proved his credentials once again. Schmidt's Ireland contract expires after the 2019 World Cup, at which point he may well look to return to his native New Zealand. The 51-year-old former schoolteacher's ambition is such that he would surely want to push for the All Blacks job in due course. Whether he could squeeze in a Lions sabbatical en route back to his homeland remains up for debate. But he certainly boasts the CV to be under serious consideration.

Latest Lions tour news & interviews

Gatland hailed as 'best in world'  Warren Gatland has been hailed as the world's best head coach by British and Irish Lions tour manager John Spencer. Click here to read

Draw drama as series ends level  Owen Farrell kicked a penalty two minutes from time as the British and Irish Lions claimed a dramatic 15-15 draw against world New Zealand. Click here to read

Gatland backs rematch Warren Gatland says he would relish a British and Irish Lions rematch with New Zealand at Twickenham in November. Click here to read

Farrell: It's a weird feeling Owen Farrell was left to reflect on the "weird" feeling of a drawn Test series with the Lions against New Zealand. Click here to read

Itoje: Lions experience valuable Maro Itoje has admitted England will tap into the British and Irish Lions' New Zealand experience ahead of the 2019 World Cup. Click here to read

For more news head to our rugby union news page

Lions squad pen pics

BACKS

Leigh Halfpenny (Wales)
Age: 28
Position: Full-back
Caps: 71
Verdict: Goalkicking ace and a hero of 2013

Jared Payne (Ireland)
Age: 31
Position: Full-back
Caps: 20
Verdict: New Zealand-born back will get the chance to prove his worth on home soil

Anthony Watson (England)
Age: 23
Position: Wing/full-back
Caps: 26
Verdict: Strong aerial threat and a lethal finisher.

Elliot Daly (England)
Age: 24
Position: Wing/centre
Caps: 13
Verdict: Searing pace and a good eye for the line.

George North (Wales)
Age: 25
Position: Wing
Caps: 69
Verdict: Bulldozing wing with a proven Lions pedigree.

Liam Williams (Wales)
Age: 26
Position: Wing/full-back
Caps: 43
Verdict: Will travel to New Zealand as the Lions' form wing.

Jack Nowell (England)
Age: 24
Position: Wing
Caps: 23
Verdict: A devilish turn of speed with an eye for a try.

Tommy Seymour (Scotland)
Age: 28
Position: Wing
Caps: 36
Verdict: Glasgow star has the form to do damage in New Zealand.

Robbie Henshaw (Ireland)
Age: 23
Position: Centre
Caps: 29
Verdict: Powerful carrier who offers options at inside and outside centre.

Jonathan Joseph (England)
Age: 26
Position: Centre/wing
Caps: 33
Verdict: Lightning-fast runner with dancing feet and robust defender.

Jonathan Davies (Wales)
Age: 29
Position: Centre
Caps: 64
Verdict: A muscular presence at outside centre and proven Lion.

Ben Te'o (England)
Age: 30
Position: Centre
Caps: 8
Verdict: Strong carrier who will get the Lions over the gainline.

Owen Farrell (England)
Age: 25
Position: Centre/fly-half
Caps: 52
Verdict: World-class playmaker and goalkicker who is a Test certainty.

Jonathan Sexton (Ireland)
Age: 31
Position: Fly-half
Caps: 66
Verdict: Travels to New Zealand as the Lions' conductor-in-chief. Brave, skilful and bright.

Dan Biggar (Wales)
Age: 27
Position: Fly-half
Caps: 56
Verdict: A dependable playmaker and fierce competitor.

Greig Laidlaw (Scotland)
Age: 31
Position: Scrum-half
Caps: 58
Verdict: Dependable Scotland skipper summoned to replace Ben Youngs.

Conor Murray (Ireland)
Age: 28
Position: Scrum-half
Caps: 57
Verdict: Outstanding half-back general whose game management is impeccable.

Rhys Webb (Wales)
Age: 28
Position: Scrum-half
Caps: 28
Verdict: Rapid and combative scrum-half who emerged as a star of the Six Nations.

Stuart Hogg (Scotland) (Has withdrawn due to injury)
Age: 24
Position: Full-back
Caps: 53
Verdict: Scotland's attacking catalyst capable of testing any defence

FORWARDS

Mako Vunipola (England)
Age: 26
Position: Prop
Caps: 42
Verdict: Has developed into an outstanding all-round forward. Supremely consistent.

Jack McGrath (Ireland)
Age: 27
Position: Prop
Caps: 41
Verdict: An integral part of Ireland's success under head coach Joe Schmidt. High work-rate.

Joe Marler (England)
Age: 26
Position: Prop
Caps: 51
Verdict: Had some disciplinary issues in the past, but a tough, no-nonsense operator.

Dan Cole (England)
Age: 30
Position: Prop
Caps: 74
Verdict: Involved in all three Tests on the last Lions tour, and is a model of consistency.

Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
Age: 24
Position: Prop
Caps: 16
Verdict: One of Ireland's great discoveries in recent seasons, he is a world-class scrummager.

Kyle Sinckler (England)
Age: 24
Position: Prop
Caps: 8
Verdict: England's tighthead understudy to Cole, he looks made for Test rugby.

Rory Best (Ireland)
Age: 34
Position: Hooker
Caps: 104
Verdict: Led Ireland to a famous victory over New Zealand earlier this season, and is vastly experienced.

Ken Owens (Wales)
Age: 30
Position: Hooker
Caps: 50
Verdict: Waited patiently for his Wales chance, but now among their most consistent performers.

Jamie George (England)
Age: 26
Position: Hooker
Caps: 17
Verdict: England's back-up to Dylan Hartley, who always makes an impact when he features off the bench.

Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
Age: 31
Position: Lock
Caps: 110
Verdict: Captained the Lions to a Test series-clinching win in Australia four years ago, and remains at the peak of his powers.

Maro Itoje (England)
Age: 22
Position: Lock
Caps: 12
Verdict: 2016 European player of the year who has made a rapid rise through the ranks.

Courtney Laws (England)
Age: 28
Position: Lock
Caps: 58
Verdict: Has hit peak form this season. A tough, uncompromising player with skills to match.

George Kruis (England)
Age: 27
Position: Lock
Caps: 20
Verdict: Experienced an injury-hit season, but a brilliant lineout operator and tactician.

Iain Henderson (Ireland)
Age: 25
Position: Lock
Caps: 32
Verdict: A tough competitor who has performed well for club and country.

CJ Stander (Ireland)
Age: 27
Position: Flanker
Caps: 15
Verdict: South Africa-born forward who qualified for Ireland on residency, he has looked a natural at Test level.

Peter O'Mahony (Ireland)
Age: 27
Position: Flanker
Caps: 40
Verdict: Has an ability to sway games his team's way. Fearless and tireless performer.

Sean O'Brien (Ireland)
Age: 30
Position: Flanker
Caps: 49
Verdict: Had his share of injuries, but few better operators than the Leinster forward when in peak form.

Sam Warburton (Wales)
Age: 28
Position: Flanker
Caps: 74
Verdict: Reprising his role as captain having led the 2013 tour win in Australia, he has gone from strength to strength.

Justin Tipuric (Wales)
Age: 27
Position: Flanker
Caps: 51
Verdict: Quick, elusive, highly-skilled and effective at the breakdown. What is there not to like?

James Haskell (England)
Age: 32
Position: Flanker
Caps: 75
Verdict: A belated, and long-awaited, Lions call after Billy Vunipola's injury. Will give his all.

Ross Moriarty (Wales)
Age: 23
Position: Flanker/number eight
Caps: 17
Verdict: A surprise inclusion but the rookie has all the ingredients to succeed.

Taulupe Faletau (Wales)
Age: 26
Position: Number eight
Caps: 66
Verdict: The complete package. Powerful, quick and a brilliant ball-carrier, one of the best back-row players around.

British & Irish Lions Record v New Zealand

The Lions have lost their last four series with New Zealand, winning just two Tests and losing 12 since the famous triumphant tour of 1971.

Overall they have played 38 Tests against the All Blacks, winning six, losing 29, with three draws.

Here we take a brief look at all their past tours here...

1904: The teams' first meeting resulted in victory for New Zealand in Wellington.

1908: The Lions lost 2-0, with one game drawn.

1930: It was another miserable experience for the Lions, losing the series 3-1.

1950: No victories for the Lions this time around, as they suffered three defeats and claimed one draw.

1959: New Zealand claimed a 3-1 series triumph.

1966: The Lions' first series whitewash against New Zealand - a 4-0 drubbing.

1971: The Carwyn James-coached Lions made history, claiming the series 2-1 and drawing one Test.

1977: Normal service resumed as the Lions lost the Test series 3-1.

1983: A second whitewash in New Zealand, with the All Blacks cruising home 4-0.

1993: A hard-fought series ended with the Lions losing the Tests 2-1.

2005: A 3-0 drubbing in New Zealand as Clive Woodward's Lions were mauled.

2017 Lions Tour: Factors & Talking Points

FIVE FACTORS

1. A record not to shout about

If the Lions' history of Test matches against New Zealand could be compared to a boxing bout, then the referee would have stopped it long ago. The Lions' 2017 excursion is their 12th New Zealand trip, stretching back 109 years, but in 38 Tests spanning that period, they have won just six, drawn three and lost 29. On three separate occasions - 1966, 1983 and 2005 - they suffered series whitewashes, so the challenge is an enormous one.

2. Storming the forces at Eden Park

Auckland's rugby citadel has proved a remarkable venue for the All Blacks in recent times. They are unbeaten there for 37 Tests since France toppled them in July, 1994, and the Lions meet New Zealand twice there in three games this time around. The 23-year unbeaten record has seen New Zealand defeat the likes of Australia, South Africa, England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and the Lions.

3. Rekindling the spirit of 1971

Although the Lions have visited New Zealand on 12 separate occasions, only once have they returned with a Test series triumph, and that was 46 years ago. On that occasion, the Lions took a squad of 33 players, played 26 games - winning 23, drawing one and losing two. This time around, the Lions will have 41 players for 10 games, and while top-flight rugby union is unrecognisable now from 1971 in terms of its physical demands, the current Lions are sure to be inspired by their predecessors.

4. Leading from the front

When it comes to captains and leadership qualities, the Lions are not lacking, with Wales' immediate past skipper Sam Warburton and current leader Alun Wyn Jones both in the squad, together with present Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw and Ireland skipper Rory Best. Warburton also leads the Lions for a second successive tour - only England's 2003 World Cup-winning talisman Martin Johnson has previously done that - so head coach Warren Gatland has considerable amounts of experience to call upon.

5. Family matters

It is likely to be a real family affair for Warren Gatland in the tour opener on June 3, as the Lions' Provincial Barbarians squad includes his son Bryn. Gatland junior, 22, is a quality fly-half prospect, playing for North Harbour and being part of the Auckland-based Super Rugby franchise the Blues. A prolific points scorer, he continues to make an impression and could easily line up for the Barbarians against Gatland's Lions.

FIVE TALKING POINTS

1. How will the Lions play against New Zealand

There is a school of thought that the best way to take on world champions New Zealand is to attack them, not sit back, absorb pressure and then hope to strike. There are others who feel that trying to beat the All Blacks playing a similar brand to their all-singing, all-dancing style will only end one way - in defeat. In truth, the Lions are likely to require a combination of styles in their game-plans as they target a first Test series triumph against New Zealand since 1971.

2. How well prepared will the Lions be

Even though the tour comes at the end of a long northern hemisphere season, as a squad, the Lions have had little time to prepare. And even training camps in Wales and Ireland during the past fortnight had restricted attendance due to playing commitments in domestic and European play-offs, so head coach Warren Gatland and his team have had no time to waste. Lions tours are all about the Tests, though, and the Lions are likely to field a powerful, well-rehearsed Test team, starting in Auckland on June 24.

3. How strong will the Lions' non-Test opponents be?

Very, is the answer. While the tour opener against a New Zealand Provincial Barbarians XV should be straightforward, the degree of difficulty soon increases. New Zealand's Super Rugby sides - the Blues, Crusaders, Highlanders, Chiefs and Hurricanes - are all on their agenda, in addition to the Maori All Blacks. In terms of preparation for the Test series, it could hardly be a tougher build-up, but the Lions may well prefer it that way with the All Blacks looming.

4. How big a toll on the Lions will injuries take?

The Lions will hope for the best, but it is not likely to be plain-sailing. A 41-man squad will head to New Zealand, but the possible injury toll based on recent experience could see them lose six to 10 players by the time things draw to a close in July. If replacements are required, though, it will help geographically and logistically that Wales are on tour in New Zealand and Samoa next month, while Scotland are in Australia, so reinforcements would not be too far away.

5. Will the Lions win the Test series?

Unlikely. They have only done it once before in New Zealand, and that was 46 years ago, while two of the three Tests are at Eden Park, Auckland, where the All Blacks have not lost since France toppled them in 1994. Everything is stacked against the Lions, and the first Test is absolutely huge - if they win that one, it is game on. If they lose it, then a 3-0 series whitewash beckons.

Lions History: Memorable tours, matches and records

In this comprehensive section, we take a look at all the Lions tours, results and records against every nation while we also pick out a selection of memorable Tests and series to discuss.

Lions Tours: At-a-glance Test series results

1888 - No Tests played on the tour to New Zealand and Australia
1891 - South Africa 0-3 Lions
1898 - South Africa 1-3 Lions
1899 - Australia 1-3 Lions
1903 - South Africa 1-0 Lions
1904 - Australia 0-3 Lions, New Zealand 1-0 Lions
1908 - New Zealand 2-1 Lions (1 drawn)
1910 - South Africa 2-1 Lions, Argentina 0-1 Lions
1924 - South Africa 3-0 Lions (1 drawn)
1927 - Argentina 0-4 Lions
1930 - New Zealand 3-1 Lions, Australia 1-0 Lions
1936 - Argentina 0-1 Lions
1938 - South Africa 2-1 Lions
1950 - New Zealand 3-0 Lions (1 drawn), Australia 0-2 Lions
1955 - South Africa 2-2 Lions
1959 - New Zealand 3-1 Lions, Australia 0-2 Lions
1962 - South Africa 3-0 Lions
1966 - New Zealand 4-0 Lions, Australia 0-2 Lions
1968 - South Africa 3-0 Lions (1 drawn)
1971 - New Zealand 1-2 Lions (1 drawn)
1974 - South Africa 0-3 Lions (1 drawn)
1977 - New Zealand 3-1 Lions
1980 - South Africa 3-1 Lions
1983 - New Zealand 4-0 Lions
1989 - Australia 1-2 Lions
1993 - New Zealand 2-1 Lions
1997 - South Africa 1-2 Lions
2001 - Australia 2-1 Lions
2005 - New Zealand 3-0 Lions
2009 - South Africa 2-1 Lions
2013 - Australia 1-2 Lions

Lions: At-a-glance all-time Tour & Test records

TOURS

v Argentina: Tours 3, Series won 3
v Australia: Tours 9, Series won 7, Series lost 2
v New Zealand: Tours 11, Series won 1, Series lost 10
v South Africa: Tours 13, Series won 4, Series lost 8, Series drawn 1

TESTS

v Argentina: P 7 W 6 L 0 D 1 F 236 A 31
v Australia: P 23 W 17 L 6 D 0 F 414 A 248
v New Zealand: P 38 W 6 L 29 D 3 F 345 A 634
v South Africa: P 46 W 17 L 23 D 6 F 470 A 546

Three famous Lions tours to remember

1971 - New Zealand 1-2 Lions (1 drawn Test)

Still the only Lions to win a Test series in New Zealand, coach Carwyn James forged arguably the tourists' greatest-ever outfit. Welshman James had never coached his national side, but his innovation proved the backbone of a dogged 2-1 Test series victory. John Dawes became the gritty captain to spearhead the Test assault, surrounded on all sides by a host of Welsh wizards. Barry John posted a record 188 points in a single tour, while Gareth Edwards, Gerald Davies, JPR Williams and more combined in devastating fashion to stun the favourites and hosts.

1974 - South Africa 0-3 Lions (1 drawn Test)

The Invincibles won 21 of 22 matches, only drawing the fourth Test with the series already in the bag. The '99' call will forever remain bludgeoned into rugby folklore as the Lions' collective response to rough housing home tactics. Refusing to be intimidated, captain Willie John McBride devised the call of '99', upon which all Lions players would flood into retaliation en masse. The ruse worked, with the Lions progressing to win every provincial clash while taking the Test series 3-0.

1997 - South Africa 1-2 Lions

The fly-on-the-wall 'Living with the Lions' documentary has imprinted the 1997 tour into a generation of rugby fans' subconscious. Not only did the Lions win a brutal Test series 2-1, with Jerry Guscott's drop-goal sealing the pivotal 18-15 victory in the second encounter, but the tourists' video diaries lifted the lid on a glorious last hurrah for and long goodbye to rugby union's amateur era. Taskmaster coach Jim Telfer's 'Everest' speech has been riffed too many times to avoid hackneyed status now - but hear the original, and wait for the goosebumps to rise. The blueprint - attainable or otherwise - for modern-era Lions success.

Five memorable Lions matches

South Africa 22 Lions 23 (first Test, Johannesburg, August 6, 1955)

Considered by many to be the greatest match involving the Lions, launching a Test series against the Springboks that is also regarded as among the most entertaining. The match saw nine tries with the lead changing hands four times. The Lions played virtually the entire second half with 14 men, while South Africa missed a conversion with the last kick of the game that would have won them the match.

New Zealand 3 Lions 13 (third Test, Wellington, July 31, 1971)

The third Test completed the Lions' only series victory against the All Blacks. The tourists scored all their points in the first quarter before closing out the Test, which was played in blustery conditions, in ruthless fashion. Welsh greats Gerald Davies and Barry John scored tries as the Lions established an unassailable 2-1 lead in the series.

South Africa 9, Lions 28 (second Test, Pretoria, June 22, 1974)

A golden era for the Lions continued when Willie John McBride's tourists thrashed the Springboks 3-0 in the series, with the second Test proving the highlight. South Africa were outscored 5-0 on the try count and were taken apart in a manner rarely seen. Wales wing JJ Williams scored five tries, while half-backs Gareth Edwards and Phil Bennett were in inspired form.

South Africa 15, Lions 18 (second Test, Durban, June 28 1997)

Expectations were minimal when the 1997 Lions, led by Martin Johnson, arrived in South Africa for a series no one believed they could win. A 25-16 victory in the first Test defied all expectations, but better was to come a week later when the Lions' heroic defence kept the dominant Springboks in check. Neil Jenkins kicked all five of his penalties but the winning points were delivered by Jeremy Guscott's famous drop-goal.

South Africa 28, Lions 25 (second Test, Pretoria, June 27, 2009)

The Lions' only defeat on this list and a result that condemned them to a series loss, but there have been few more brutal Test matches packed full of controversy and courage. Two minutes into injury time Morne Steyn kicked a long-range penalty to win the game, but what preceded that was a game of rare intensity with the Lions leading until the 76th minute. Injuries to Adam Jones and Brian O'Driscoll shifted the balance towards South Africa.

Lions tours in numbers

1 - Test series the Lions have won in New Zealand, in 1971.

188 - Barry John's all-time record points total on that tour, in 17 games.

6-29 - the Lions' win-loss record against the All Blacks in their history.

1888 - the year of the first ever Lions tour, to Australia and New Zealand. The tourists won their first game 8-3 and went on to win 27 of 35 games on the tour.

3-0 - the first Test series, in South Africa in 1891, brought a whitewash win for the touring side - backed by the Rugby Football Union and initially under the banner of the English Rugby Football Team, but retrospectively recognised as the British Isles due to the inclusion of several Scottish players.

807 - players capped by the Lions prior to this year's tour, from Jack Anderton in 1888 to Tom Court in 2013. There are 26 first-time tourists in this year's squad, following Scotland scrum-half Greig Laidlaw's call-up to replace Ben Youngs.

41-16 - the scoreline in the deciding Test as the Lions sealed a 2-1 series win over Australia on their most recent tour in 2013.

21 - Leigh Halfpenny's points tally in that match is a Lions record, as is his total of 49 in the three-Test series.

41 - the number of players chosen by head coach Warren Gatland for this summer's tour.

15/12/11/3 - the touring squad contains 15 English, 12 Welsh, 11 Irish and three Scottish players after Laidlaw replaced England's Youngs.

3 - Wales pair Leigh Halfpenny and Alun Wyn Jones will this summer feature on their third Lions tour.

64 - items of kit, gymwear and formal clothing distributed to Lions squad members for this year's tour. Wales hooker Ken Owens joked: "It's more than I have got in my wardrobe. I've got my clothes sorted for the next 10 years."

How the Lions became a global 'brand'

The British and Irish Lions' demanding 2017 New Zealand tour will kick off later this week next week as confirmation of just how big the brand has become.

The Lions is not just about a collection of the best rugby players in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. It has become a huge commercial entity in its own right.

People cannot get enough of the Lions, whether it has been in Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa, and there appears no sign of that feelgood factor diminishing any time soon.

Their current status, though, is all a far cry from when the Lions first set sail as rugby tourists in 1888 on a private enterprise trip to Australia and New Zealand.

No Test matches were played on that tour, but there was still a 35-game schedule to be tackled, including 19 matches when the Lions played a form of Australian Rules football, and the 1891 South Africa tour was the first officially-sanctioned Lions trip.

South Africa played a key role during the Lions' development years, welcoming them again in 1896, and by the time Australia was revisited in 1899 the tourists were a genuine mix of representatives from all four home unions.

It proved a memorable trip, with the Lions winning three out of four Tests and even playing additional games in Hawaii and Canada on their way home. They were now established in global terms, and further successes against Australia followed, although New Zealand had emerged as their toughest opponents.

Such was New Zealand's status as a growing force that the 1908 tour saw more games being staged in that country than Australia, and the All Blacks delivered a standard by which the Lions found themselves judged.

Trips to South Africa and Argentina followed in 1924 and 1927, respectively, before New Zealand again showcased their power by beating the 1930 Lions in three successive Tests, while Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury also toppled the tourists.

After the Second World War, Irishman Jack Kyle - he remains the youngest captain in Lions history - led the tourists Down Under, where only six defeats from 29 starts were experienced in Australia and New Zealand. The highlight result was arguably a 9-9 draw against the All Blacks, who once again claimed three Test wins.

Robin Thompson's 1955 squad in South Africa suffered just five defeats in 25 games, drawing a gripping four-game Test series, and four years later in Australia and New Zealand another marathon trip produced only six losses from 35 starts, although three of those were against the All Blacks.

The 1950s will rightly be remembered as a sparkling decade for the Lions, but they could not build on that in 1962, losing three Tests against South Africa, or in 1966, when they came unstuck against New Zealand, and back to South Africa two years later, where another 3-0 series defeat ensued.

But it was the 1971 trip - captained by John Dawes and coached by his fellow Welshman Carwyn James - that lifted the Lions to new heights and will be remembered as their most famous tour of all.

A squad built around Wales' dream teams of the 1970s - players like Gareth Edwards, Barry John, Gerald Davies and JPR Williams - secured a series win against the All Blacks - 2-1, with one draw - raising the bar for future tourists.

And the 1974 squad to South Africa, skippered by Irish lock Willie John McBride, gathered the baton brilliantly, going through a 22-game tour unbeaten, and it would have been a 4-0 Test series triumph had a controversial refereeing decision not helped the Springboks secure a draw in the final match.

Welshman Phil Bennett was at the helm when the Lions returned to New Zealand in 1977, but despite losing only one fixture outside of the Tests, the All Blacks avenged 1971 through winning three Tests and suffering a solitary defeat.

It was a similar story away from the Tests three years later, losing three times to South Africa, but winning 15 other games, and in 1983 a four-match Test series whitewash was the miserable return from another trip to All Black country.

By the time coach Ian McGeechan led the Lions to Australia in 1989, Test series success was long overdue, but they delivered. It was a short trip - just 12 games - and the Wallabies were downed 2-1.

The 1993 tour of New Zealand was the Lions' final excursion before rugby union's professional era began two years later. They lost the series 2-1, but then gained a 2-1, 1997 triumph in South Africa.

The Springboks were world champions and the Lions were given little hope, but they won in Cape Town and then - thanks to Neil Jenkins' prodigious goalkicking and a Jeremy Guscott drop-goal - in Durban against all odds to secure Test series glory a game early.

Tours to Australia (2001) and New Zealand (2005) saw the Lions gain a total of just one win from six Tests, and eight years ago in South Africa they also went down, losing 2-1 but arguably playing better rugby than their Springbok hosts.

Overdue success, though,, came on the Warren Gatland-coached 2013 trip to Australia and a 2-1 Test series triumph against the Wallabies.

Gatland and 2013 tour captain Sam Warburton now return for more in New Zealand. Will the result be the same?