LONG READ Iconic Lions moments of the professional era: 15-11

As the excitement levels crank up to fever pitch approaching Saturday’s first Test of the series against Australia, RugbyPass is counting down some of the most iconic moments in Lions history.

With due deference to the legendary teams of previous generations, we have restricted ourselves to the seven tours of the professional era since 1997.

Our panel of RugbyPass writers – featuring contributions from Bryn Palmer, Jamie Lyall, Neil Squires, Owain Jones and Pat McCarry – are jogging your memories with five moments on each day this week, before Andy Farrell’s men perhaps burnish these standout snapshots with some of their own.

Again, do let us know your thoughts on our selection, politely of course, and feel free to suggest other iconic moments of your own.

15. O’Driscoll dropped for Series decider on his final Lions tour in 2013

As Lions selection bombshells go, none have detonated quite as loudly as Warren Gatland’s decision to omit Brian O’Driscoll from the final Test of the 2013 series.

With Jamie Roberts fit again after missing the first two Tests and the Lions needing more gain-line power, Gatland opted to pair the muscular midfielder with his long-time Wales partner Jonathan Davies, the form centre of the tour, rather than the Irish legend, who many expected to be captain in the absence of the injured Sam Warburton.

Gatland knew the furore that would ensue, but even he was taken aback by the vitriol aimed in his direction. Some Lions legends – Willie-John McBride and Keith Wood prominent among them – were scathing in their criticism. Another legend, Andy Irvine, was tour manager in 2013 and said he “could understand” the reaction it generated from “very proud Irishmen”.

“I would say 95% of people were totally surprised. He was one of the greatest players in the world. It was a challenging period that week, because he was the star player. I personally felt sorry for him; it was a sad way to end his final Lions tour. You could argue it was a really controversial decision, but you’ve got to give Warren credit for having the balls to do it. It would have been a lot easier not to.”

How did O’Driscoll respond to this crushing blow? By helping those chosen ahead of him in their preparation, before delivering a coaching clinic for schoolchildren. Such is the measure of the man. (BP)

14. Rampaging Roberts’ try rubber-stamps series victory in 2013

The Lions’ failure to see out a desperately tight second Test in Melbourne had already cranked up the pressure on the 2013 tourists, a golden opportunity to seal their first Series win since the celebrated triumph of 1997 gone begging.

Warren Gatland’s decision to then omit the great Brian O’Driscoll (see No.15) – and the subsequent reaction – ratcheted up the heat to boiling point. In selecting a record-equalling 10 Welshman for the decider in Sydney – Jamie Roberts, Mike Phillips, Richard Hibbard and Taulupe Faletau among those brought into the side – Gatland had staked his reputation on the power game that had served Wales well.

It paid off with Alex Corbisiero’s early try and the Lions scrum earning a string of penalties as they jumped out to a 19-3 lead, only to be pegged back to 19-16 early in the second half before a dizzying spell of three tries in 11 minutes took them clear.

The first two, finished by Johnny Sexton and George North after dazzling interventions from Leigh Halfpenny, were sumptuous but the moment Roberts took a Mike Phillips pass on the Aussie 22 and thundered over for the clincher banished any lingering doubt.

A record points tally for a Lions Test, only a second series victory of the pro era – the first in 16 years – and vindication for Gatland. (BP)

Watch the top 10 moments from the 2013 tour on RugbyPass TV.

13. Dan Carter’s ‘perfect game’ tames the Lions in 2005

Dan Carter had spent his early days as an All Black wearing No 12, as New Zealand plumped either for the ruthless game management of Andrew Mehrtens or the blistering flair of ‘King’ Carlos Spencer in the pivot role.

The second Test against Clive Woodward’s doomed Lions announced this sleek young gunslinger’s credentials to the world. Carter crafted a performance of imperious class; an amalgam of effortless, penetrating runs, outrageous distribution, and magnificence with the boot.

The 23-year-old glided past defenders without a bead of sweat on his forehead or a jet-black hair out of place. He sent place-kicks through the poles from all over the Lions half. He set up Tana Umaga’s try with a fearsome hand-off, arcing run and offload, plunged on his deft grubber to score one of his own down the right touchline, then doubled his try tally by eschewing a two-man overlap before rounding Josh Lewsey. In total, Carter racked up a record-breaking 33 of New Zealand’s 48 points.

“You’re always striving for the perfect game,” he told Sky Sports 15 years later. “For me, that was probably the closest I got in my 112 Test matches for the All Blacks.”

The series was won and a legend born. (JL)

Watch the full match replay of the second Test in 2005 on RugbyPass TV.

12. Warburton sweet-talks ref over likely NZ match-winning penalty in third Test (2017)

If Sam Warburton ever wants a third vocation, after well-respected pundit and successful business owner, President of the United Nations could be a viable option.

In shades of Kofi Annan at his diplomatic best, Warburton managed to talk referee Romain Poite down from his original penalty against Ken Owens for being offside to a Lions scrum. To the naked eye, the Welsh hooker had snatched at a wet ball, in front of Liam Williams on the field of play.

Had a penalty been given, it would likely have ensured an All Blacks series win rather than sharing the spoils after a 15-15 draw. With boos from the partisan home crowd, Warburton managed to persuade Poite that Kieran Read had instead bundled into Owens, asking him to ‘check in the air’. The French ref relented and awarded the Lions a scrum.

It was to be a fitting end to his playing career because he was never to set foot on the pitch again. With neither side unsure quite what to do, the two sets of players assembled and Warburton and Kieran Read lifted the trophy together.

Warburton later exclaimed in an interview that “rugby was the winner”, with a large grin. He has subsequently said he fully understands how Kiwi fans believed grand larceny had been committed under the Eden Park floodlights, but the result stood. (OJ)

Watch the full match replay of the Third Test in 2017 on RugbyPass TV.

11. Scott Gibbs tramples Os ‘The Ox’ Du Randt in Second Test in 1997 

Wildebeest rarely roam the playing fields of Pencoed but in Scott Gibbs, the Lions possessed a passable impression. Jokingly referred to as the ‘fastest prop in the world’ by team-mate, Jeremy Guscott, Gibbs wrote himself into Lions folklore with a scurrying, power-packed carry into 6ft 3in, 21-stone Springbok behemoth Os du Randt.

The collision, in a packed King’s Park, Durban, resulted in the Afrikaner prop standing stunned for a millisecond before falling back on his rump, while Gibbs corkscrewed away and offloaded to Tom Smith, while being hauled down by Joost van der Westhuizen.

It was a statement of intent. An action which said the Lions were not there to be bullied. Despite wounded pride, Du Randt magnanimously said, “he was a big lad, and a strong runner and if you don’t size him up properly, it’s hard to bring him down”.

A modest Gibbs said in his book, Physical, “People have since said to me that I could have side-stepped him, but I couldn’t. It obviously made an impact on the people who saw it, because so many now come up to me and want to talk about it.”

Twenty-eight years on, it still brings a smile to the faces of many Lions fans. (OJ)

Watch the full match replay of the second Test in 1997 on RugbyPass TV.