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Warburton enters record books

Warburton enters record books

Sam Warburton entered the history books just after midday today when he became the first Welshman to lead the the British & Irish Lions on two tours.

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Only one player has previously led the Lions on successive tours – England’s Martin Johnson in 1997 and 2001. Warburton led the Lions to their first series win in 16 years in Australia in 2013.

The Lions haven’t won a series in New Zealand since John Dawes led the 1971 team to a 2-1 victory with one further game drawn. There were 13 Welshmen involved in that tour, while in 1977, when Phil Bennett led the side to New Zealand, there were 18 Welsh players involved.

The first Welshman to tour with the Lions was Llandovery College, Cambridge University and Llanelli forward Willie Thomas in 1888. The first Welshman to play in a Test match was the Cardiff centre Gwyn Nicholls in Australia in 1899.

The first Welshman to be honoured with the captaincy of the Lions in a Test match was Teddy Morgan, against Australia on 23 July, 1904.

The 2017 Lions, coached by Warren Gatland, will play 10 matches, including three Tests against the world champions All Blacks.
 

Match Date Match Venue   Kick Off
Saturday, 3 June New Zealand Provincial Barbarians Toll Stadium, Whangarei   7:35pm
Wednesday, 7 June Blues Eden Park Auckland   7:35pm
Saturday, 10 June Crusaders AMI Stadium Christchurch   7:35pm
Tuesday, 13 June Highlanders Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin   7:35pm
Saturday, 17 June Maori All Blacks Rotorua International Stadium   7:35pm
Tuesday, 20 June Chiefs  FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton   7:35pm
Saturday, 24 June All Blacks Eden Park Auckland   7:35pm
Tuesday, 27 June Hurricanes Westpac Stadium Wellington   7:35pm
Saturday, 1 July All Blacks Westpac Stadium Wellington   7:35pm
Saturday, 8 July All Blacks Eden Park Auckland   7:35pm

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