LIONS 2001

Despite losing the series, the 2001 Lions tour created legends we remember to this day

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EVEN THOUGH they lost the series, the 2001 British & Irish Lions have captured a place in the hearts of home nations rugby fans that make the eyes go all misty and the bottom lip begin to quiver.

It goes down as a tour that created legends of the red jersey, individuals who were able to produce standout performances and moments that are still revered almost three decades on, regardless of the end results.

In truth, three players stand above the rest from that tour. A trio of megaliths from our game that etched their names into history: Martin Johnson, Jason Robinson and Brian O'Driscoll.

Johnson was already somewhat of a legend by the 2001 tour. He had captained the Lions four years earlier to series victory against South Africa, one of the greatest tours in history for a lot of reasons. It earned him the unwavering admiration of the rugby world and made his reinstatement as captain four years later no surprise.