Way back in 1888 without official recognition from the British Rugby Football Union a group of pioneering amateur sportsmen were sponsored through private enterprise to travel to Australia and New Zealand to compete in over 30 matches of rugby. Simply called the “English Footballers” The team sailed over from the British Isles and due to the unofficial nature of their tour they did not play against any international opposition. As such, no test matches were officially played, however they have retrospectively been acknowledged as the first British and Irish Lions and entered the rugby union hall of fame in 2013.

The team was captained by Englishmen Robert Seddon who had a number of caps for the English international side. He played in each of the first twenty matches of rugby before tragedy struck when the tour was in Newcastle. Whilst out rowing on the Hunter River his boat was unfortunately capsized and he drowned. He has been acknowledged for his leadership and commitment to rugby union over the years and it is tradition that on each tour of Australia that the modern British and Irish Lions make the touring captain visits his grave in Newcastle as a sign of respect.

Despite the tragedy the tour continued and the team finished with a remarkably successful record in rugby union matches winning 27, drawing 6 and only losing 2. They played a wide range of teams from the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds, a host of New Zealand sides from Aukland, Otago, Canterbury and Wellington. Surprisingly they also played some schools such as The Kings School and Sydney Grammar School.

Whilst on tour the team were also invited to compete in Australian Rules Football, despite being totally unfamiliar with the game. Remarkably the team was able to win 6 out of 19 matches against sides such as Carlton, Bendigo, Fitzroy, South Adelaide and Adelaide. Whilst they didn’t bring the game back to the UK upon the tour finishing nearly two thirds of the touring party ended up being members of founding clubs who competed in the inaugural rugby league competition in England.

The stories and events from the very first tour speak to the rich history, camaraderie and competitiveness that embodies the British and Irish Lions to this day. The modern players representing the team today will hope to form a legacy as rich and commendable as those members of the first ever touring party.