Lions to award ceremonial caps

Thu, Apr 26, 2018, 11:05 PM
AAP
by AAP
Owen Farrell is one of 835 Lions representatives that will be awarded ceremonial caps. Photo: Getty Images
Owen Farrell is one of 835 Lions representatives that will be awarded ceremonial caps. Photo: Getty Images

The British and Irish Lions will award ceremonial caps to every player who has featured in a competitive match for the touring side.

A total of 835 players, 419 living and the next of kin of 416 dead members, will receive the caps and a recognition letter from Lions chairman Tom Grace.

The hand-stitched caps will bear each player's unique playing number, and the recognition comes ahead of the 130th anniversary of the team's first game on April 28, 1888 against Otago.

"We are recognising the contribution of all those who have crossed the touchline in a Lions jersey since 1888," Grace said.The Lions will award every player that has pulled on their jersey a cap. Photo: Getty Images"It is a mark of respect for those who have contributed to this most-loved touring team - a team that holds a special place in the hearts of players and fans alike."

Made up of players from the English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish unions, the Lions rotate tours every four years to New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.

Grace, who toured with the Lions in 1974, also awarded caps to the Lions' oldest living captain Ronnie Dawson, whose playing number is 388, and the youngest captain Sam Warburton, who led the 2013 and 2017 tours.

"It feels like the missing piece of the jigsaw to add your Lions cap to go with your others - your international and your club caps," Warburton said.

"This makes it all come flooding back, and makes you realise how prestigious a thing it is to play for the Lions."

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