The British and Irish Lions are one of the most famous and recognised teams in the world of rugby. Every four years, the Lions - selected from the national sides of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland - head to the southern hemisphere to do battle with either New Zealand, Australia or South Africa. The History of the British and Irish Lions covers the entire period of the Lions' existence, from the first recorded rugby tour of Australia and New Zealand, undertaken at the end of the 1880s, to 2005's controversial Test series against the All Blacks. In this celebrated book, author Clem Thomas traces the origins of the Lions, tracks the team's development over the years and investigates the social and political issues that have played a part in the evolution of one of the world's most formidable touring forces. The book includes colourful recollections and insightful profiles of some of the most celebrated members of Lions teams over the years, each of which highlights the fulfilment, pride and passion that every British or Irish player feels upon being selected to play as a Lion. Meticulously researched and interspersed with statistics, The History of the British and Irish Lions also provides an in-depth commentary on the machinations and preparations behind every Lions tour since 1920. Already widely recognised as the definitive history of the world-renowned British and Irish Lions, this new edition has been fully revised and expanded to include all the action from the 2005 tour. Book jacket.