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Telegraph
5 days ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
My greatest Lions team from the players I coached
I found picking my all-time best Lions 23 – from the players I have coached on tour – an extremely difficult task, even after writing down the most influential performers. The exercise made me reflect on how privileged I have been and what makes a winning combination, because, as we keep saying, the British and Irish Lions do not win as often as they lose. My memories of 1974, 1989, 1997 and 2009 are particularly fond, even though the Springboks beat us 2-1 in the last of those series. There was just so much right with the tour as far as the play was concerned. Back in 1974 and 1977, the tours lasted nearly four months and there was one coach and 30 players. The challenge was different to what it is now because you were away from home for so long, which meant how the environment felt was more important. You cannot do without the selflessness of non-Test players. Mike Burton, Chris Ralston, Tony Neary, Roy Bergiers, Jeff Evans, Jason Leonard, Graham Rowntree and Alan Bateman were the best I encountered in that regard. The 1974 group were incredible in training as well as in matches. They never took a backward step. Poring back over my notes has not made it much easier, so I am going to pick a team of Lions I played with and a team of Lions I coached. The first one is more straightforward, because so many of these individuals are just outstanding. The vast majority are from 1974. JPR at full-back was immensely brave with a superb sense of timing when he hit the line. Dick Milliken was a fantastic centre to play with. I have opted for real pace on the wings and the half-backs speak for themselves. As for the pack, a front row of Ian McLauchlan, Bobby Windsor and Fran Cotton was never second best to anyone, and Bill Beaumont just edges Gordon Brown. When I coached, I wanted the players to feel the way I did as a player. I came back from the tour a different person, which is what the environment can do to you. Putting together this line-up was almost impossible, I must admit. I changed my mind on one position overnight. Maro Itoje, Tadhg Beirne, Dan Sheehan, Tom Curry and Finn Russell have all been excellent and would have all come close. I do think that it is tougher for players to really define themselves on these shorter tours in the modern game. Having said that, I believe Jac Morgan was in that category. The longer tours I had as a coach gave me a chance to see chemistry building at first hand and to watch players emerge as they played alongside new and unfamiliar team-mates. The four home unions must look at it as giving the Lions the very best chance of success. There is no other team in the sport with the same following that captures the imagination in this way. Perhaps the Ryder Cup comes closest. I know there are plates to spin, but we should end the season earlier in a Lions year in the same way that happens for a World Cup. The next tour is to New Zealand in 2029, and the players are going to need to be given the best opportunity to prepare extremely well. They must be made the priority, properly. You could see from 10,000 miles away that Andy Farrell had created a healthy environment. The challenge for him was the lack of the time he had in the build-up and factors like Blair Kinghorn coming in late. I might be a little biased, of course, but I think everyone with a vested interest needs to come together and think about what an ideal Lions season should look like and buy into it, because the concept is unique and absolutely worth sustaining so it can thrive. Besides anything else, it is a huge driver of revenue for the four nations and the hosts. My team of the greatest Lions I coached 15. Neil Jenkins Gavin Hastings played all three Tests in 1989 and captained four years later. That is a record to be proud of, and one that reflects his ability. But if Jenks had not played in 1997, I cannot say for certain that we would have won the Test series. He rewarded the team by kicking his goals, delivering under the most severe pressure. 14. Ieuan Evans Ieuan was very alert and quick while still being a good footballer. With speed on the outside, you can make a big difference. Tommy Bowe emerged brilliantly in 2009. 13. Jerry Guscott I have a soft spot for Lions centre partnerships, obviously, but I have seen two of them become, in my opinion, the best in the world despite never playing before the tour in question. Those were Scott Gibbs and Jerry Guscott in 1997 and Jamie Roberts and Brian O'Driscoll in 2009. That's what Lions chemistry can do, and I must have Jerry because of his series-winning moments. 12. Scott Gibbs This man was just exceptional in his own way and I feel I am being unfair to Roberts and O'Driscoll. Alan Bateman deserves credit for his performances in 1997 as well. 11. Rory Underwood Alan Tait was a hero of 1997 but Rory gives us real speed out wide. 10. Gregor Townsend Gregor was at his best when he was working off other really good players; his game went up a level in 1997 and he kicked on over the following seasons. I'll always remember the build-up to Guscott's drop-goal in 1997, when he carried hard to the line – not because that was a strength of his, but because it was absolutely the right decision in the moment. Those moments, under severe pressure, reinforce what the Lions means to me. Neil Back and Guscott hit a ruck – one of about three Jerry hit in his life – and we turned the ball over. Keith Wood kicked down-field, our pack drove South Africa and Gregor carried before Jerry hit his dropped goal. That is what the Lions brings out of players. You read what is required and do things that you are not necessarily renowned for. 9. Matt Dawson This was difficult. Robert Jones, Rob Howley and Mike Phillips were all great players. All of them had an unbelievable impact on the Lions teams they were part of, but I am sticking with Matt Dawson. 1. Tom Smith Like David Sole, who is on my bench, Tom was ahead of his time. To start in six consecutive Test matches between 1997 and 2001 takes some doing. Technically, even against dominant packs, his scrummaging was fantastic, as were his game involvements. 2. Brian Moore It is a coin-toss between Brian and Keith Wood. I am having them both, with Brian starting and Keith coming off the bench. They both shaped the respective characters of the tours they went on. 3. Jason Leonard Technically, Jason was good. As a personality, he was immensely influential. Paul Wallace did remarkably well to keep our scrum competitive in South Africa. 4. Martin Johnson (captain) There was no doubt about this one, though Paul Ackford and Paul O'Connell would have been next in line. Johnno was the ultimate Test-match animal. 5. Simon Shaw I cannot forget how good Shaw was in 2009 against probably the two best second-rows in world rugby at the time – Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield. Back in 1997 he was outside the Test squad and he trained brilliantly to prepare his team-mates. He was on his third tour in 2009, and was brilliant when the opportunity finally arrived. 6. Lawrence Dallaglio Mike Teague was sensational in 1989, the man of the series, and Ben Clarke impressed against the All Blacks in 1993. I have chosen Lawrence because he is the ultimate driver of emotion within a team and the perfect vice-captain. 7. Richard Hill Amid all the competition in the back row, this man is the first name on my teamsheet; a definite inclusion. In all the key moments of any given game, he seemed to be in the right place half a second earlier than anyone else to impact things. Australia knew that in 2001, which is why they targeted him. 8. Dean Richards The powerful figurehead of any side, whether for carrying or mauling, Dean impacted games in a similar way to Will Skelton did in this year's series. He was clever as well, with a good pair of hands and smart linking with his back line. Tim Rodber was tremendous in 1997, which made it so hard to leave him out. Replacements Keith Wood, David Sole, Paul Wallace, Paul O'Connell, Mike Teague, Mike Phillips, Brian O'Driscoll, Gavin Hastings
Associated Press
07-02-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
The Atlas Foundation's England star* Scheme: Using Grassroots Rugby to Address Adverse Childhood Experiences
02/07/2025, Cheltenham GL51 4GA // PRODIGY: Feature Story // The Atlas Foundation, a global children's charity based in the UK and supporting communities around the world, has launched a partnership with star* Scheme, a charitable organisation with the shared aim of transforming the lives of children who are facing or have faced multiple adverse experiences. Launched by rugby great Jason Leonard, OBE, the charity collaborates with other charities, schools and community enterprises domestically and internationally, using the medium of sport to enhance access to opportunity, education, healthcare and aspiration. The Atlas Foundation's Work With star* Scheme England As one of multiple current projects and initiatives undertaken or supported by The Atlas Foundation, the star* Scheme has consistent missions and objectives. Both charities leverage the power of sport and shared experience to support disadvantaged young people—in this case, those living in England. It focuses on young people who have been exposed to multiple adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, delivering tailored interventions to help children dealing with social, emotional and psychological challenges owing to hardships, including violence, bereavement, coercion and trauma. The partnership is using experienced regional managers and dialogues with schools and local rugby clubs to identify children who would benefit from support and ensure clubs and schools have the requisite training, support, and finances to create safe, nurturing environments and introduce outreach projects within their communities. Outcomes of star* Scheme England's Rugby-Based Initiatives Importantly, the solution identified by The Atlas Foundation and star* Scheme is to use preventative measures to protect the well-being of children and provide empowerment and opportunity as a pathway towards positive improvement, including: The latest available impact reports identify that star* is now working alongside eight of ten Premiership Rugby teams, nine of 14 Premiership regions, and 94 grassroots clubs, with many more expected to launch their own localised schemes in the near future. Current data shows that the project has thus far delivered an average 200% improvement in measurable achievements outlined within Player Development Plans and that children supported by star* have achieved an average 78% attendance of clubs, training sessions and other activities, matching that of non-star* players. Longer-term impacts are intended to counteract the damaging effects of ACEs in children, advance research into the benefits of early intervention through sports and engage with children and empower them to provide input and guide ongoing enhancements to the scheme. The Vital Importance of Community-Led Initiatives to Support Disadvantaged Children Peter Scott, General Manager of the foundation, says, 'Our work with star* is profoundly important. We are creating tangible, strategic, and data-backed programs to support children living with disadvantages, determine where inequalities exist, and identify how best we can effect practical, sustainable change. Some of the many excerpts from families supported through star* at numerous grassroots rugby clubs talk about a sense of community and pride, helping struggling children build communication and confidence, giving them the tools to manage aggression and anxiety, and being able to commit to being part of a regular team, with all the transformative impacts this has on overall behaviour and mental well-being. For many, star* isn't solely about joining a club or having a coaching team and mentors who will act as positive influences for children. It's about feeling supported, with everything from kit and club subscriptions to healthy food, transport, and being able to participate in tours and tournaments. We are delighted to continue working alongside star* to reach our common goals and would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks to the 1,300+ volunteers who make this work possible, as well as the clubs, mentors, and colleagues who have gone the extra mile to seek the right help and assistance for children who have experienced trauma, loss, and other adversities.' The History of star* Scheme and The Atlas Foundation The Atlas Foundation was founded in 2014 and, in the interim years, has launched 47 local partnerships and supported over 219,203 children in 21 countries, of whom 78% come from a minority background. 95% of children supported have gone on to graduate school, and 88% of the charity's partners are now supplying clean water and nutritious food. star* Scheme began at Chew Valley Rugby Club in 2020, following a discussion about how members could positively impact the lives of children in the area. It has since expanded rapidly, forming partnerships with ruby schemes and clubs, businesses, organisations, and fellow charities like The Atlas Foundation. About The Atlas Foundation Founded by rugby legend Jason Leonard OBE, The Atlas Foundation uses rugby as a tool to improve the lives of children in disadvantaged communities around the world. By partnering with local organisations, The Atlas Foundation provides educational, health, and social development opportunities to help children thrive. Founded by rugby legend Jason Leonard OBE, The Atlas Foundation uses rugby as a tool to improve the lives of children in disadvantaged communities around the world. By partnering with local organisations, The Atlas Foundation provides educational, health, and social development opportunities to help children thrive. Media Contact: Marketing and Communications Officer The Atlas Foundation +44 (0)207 043 2232
