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Rugby Union Biography

Willie John McBride

Northern Irish · Born 1940

IrelandLions Record1974 Lions
Lock
63
caps
17
lions tests

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The most capped British and Irish Lion in history — Willie John McBride's five Lions tours and extraordinary leadership of the invincible 1974 Lions are unparalleled in rugby history.

Willie John McBride toured with the British & Irish Lions five times — a record. He captained the undefeated 1974 Lions tour of South Africa, considered the greatest Lions team ever assembled. His 17 Test appearances for the Lions is also a record. He played 63 Tests for Ireland across a sixteen-year career.

The 1974 Lions tour he captained went unbeaten in all 22 matches — the only Lions tour in history to achieve a perfect record.

Did You Know?

Career Honours

  • 63 Ireland caps
  • 5 Lions Tours (record)
  • Captained invincible 1974 Lions