The first Lions test is upon us. Warren Gatland will complete his extensive tour of duty as Lions coach by taking on the Springboks over the next three weekends, having already won a series in Australia in 2013, and drew in New Zealand in 2017.
With civil unrest in South Africa, Covid rampant across the country, fans banned from grounds, and the entire Test series set to take place in an empty Cape Town stadium, it's not how Gatland, or any of us, would have envisioned the tour to go. And yet, a Lions series comes along only every four years, and being part of the test team remains a massive honour for rugby players from Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales. The next three weeks promises to bring its own moments, storylines, and history.
The professional era Lions began in 1997 with a tour of South Africa, so this summer marks the start of a third cycle since the amateur days. The Lions have won just two of the six series played, losing three, with one draw.
The three Scots named for Saturday's first test will remarkably be the first Scottish starters since 2001. The English have dominated selection throughout, though the Welsh have had the upperhand in recent tours.
In all, there has been 18 Lions test matches played in the professional era. With the team named for Saturday's opening test, we want you to name the starters for all 19 tests since Ian McGeechan's men came from behind to win the first test in Cape Town 24 years ago.
We've given you a generous 20 minutes to get all 285 answers. Don't worry though, there are nowhere close to 285 players on the list, with duplicates the norm rather than the exception.
We reckon rugby fans will get upwards of 80% on this quiz, but it will take a true Lions diehard to get them all in the allowed time!
Best of luck!
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SEE ALSO: The Most Capped Irish XV To Never Play In A Lions Test
