Setanta.com takes a look back at the 2005 British & Irish Lions squad and asks what happened to and where is every member of that tour these days.
Sir Clive Woodward involved no less than 51 players for the duration of the tour to New Zealand. Some made decent impacts and have disappeared off the radar since; others failed to shine and will be looking to make amends in South Africa.
First up, the forwards...
John Hayes (Ireland/Munster): Hayes was unlucky to miss out on this summer’s trip to South Africa considering his form for Munster and Ireland this season, but does have five British & Irish Lions caps to his name already following his only Tour in 2005. Continues to be a figure who divides option – but the people of Limerick are relentlessly loyal to The Bull.
Gethin Jenkins (Wales/Cardiff Blues): Included once more for this summer’s Tour, Jenkins was involved in all three Tests against New Zealand in 2005, collecting seven caps in total. His contributions to both Wales and The Cardiff Blues since have been key to both teams and he will be in Test contention this time around as well.
Graham Rowntree (England/Leicester): Now retired, the prop was involved in two Lions Tours – 2005 & 1997 - and returns on this occasion as the scrum coach.
Andrew Sheridan (England/Sale Sharks): Sheridan will be involved in the 2009 Tour having made two starts and five appearances during the trip to New Zealand. His performances were crucial during England’s unexpected run to the 2007 World Cup final, with the prop also establishing himself as the first-choice loose-head option for England for Martin Johnson.
Matt Stevens (England/Bath): Currently serving a two-year suspension having tested positive for cocaine last December (2008).
Julian White (England/Leicester Tigers): White started all three Tests against New Zealand in 2005, but missed out on the 2007 World Cup, having made himself unavailable for personal reasons. He did come back into the England fold this season – replacing Matt Stevens in Martin Johnson’s Elite squad – but has failed to make the initial squad for 2009.
Gordon Bulloch (Scotland/Glasgow): Bulloch made a substitute’s appearance in the final test against New Zealand in 2005 before retiring from international rugby shortly after his return from the Tour. It was his second trip with the Lions having been included in the 2001 squad and he ended his time with ten caps in total – including five starts. Bulloch was released when Leeds Tykes were relegated in 2006 though, and now plays amateur rugby with West of Scotland FC.
Shane Byrne (Ireland/Leinster): Byrne started two of the three Tests against New Zealand back in 2005 at hooker, coming on as a replacement for Steve Thompson in the other game. Despite the honour, Byrne and Leinster failed to agree terms for a new deal and the Ireland international joined Saracens on a two-year deal in the summer of 2005. He did later return to Ireland, mullet attached, and has more recently turned out for his local GAA club, Aughrim, in Wicklow.
Steve Thompson (England/Northampton Saints): A start and substitute’s appearance in two of the three Tests against New Zealand in 2005 seem to spur the hooker back towards his World Cup-winning form of 2003. A neck injury seemingly forced Thompson to retire from the game while playing for Northampton in January 2007 before he became “recruitment and technique adviser” at CA Brive. Incredibly, following medical advice, he returned to the game in October 2007 and is now reportedly being considered for an international recall by Martin Johnson.
Andy Titterrell (England/Sale Sharks): Titterrell was selected ahead of several more experienced candidates for the 2005 Tour, but failed to make much of an impact, his appearances limited to two starts and a run out during three of the minor Tests. Has spent time at Sale Sharks and Gloucester since, and has fallen out of contention for England.
Danny Grewcock (England/Bath): Grewcock was expected to have been one of the leading lights for Sir Clive against The All Blacks having featured highly in The Lions 2001 tour to Australia. Unfortunately he was found guilty of biting Keven Mealamu during the first Test and subsequently suspended from the game for two months. More ill-discipline ruled him out of the 2007 World Cup in France, but his form for Sale this season has led to suggestions of an England recall.
Ben Kay (England/Leicester Tigers): After playing a crucial role in England’s World Cup in 2003, Kay started only one Test against New Zealand for The Lions two years later. He was involved with four more of the minor games and though he was also a figure England relied on in 2007 in France, Kay’s form with Leicester has not been enough to see him retain his place for England.
Donncha O'Callaghan (Ireland/Munster): Injuries (O’Kelly), form (Kay) and indiscipline (Grewcock) all lead to O’Callaghan playing in the second two Test against New Zealand in 2005, but, by their own admission, he and long-time second row partner Paul O’Connell did not blossom as they might have. Has gone on to claim two Heineken Cup titles with Munster, adding a Grand Slam triumph for Ireland in recent weeks.
Paul O'Connell (Ireland/Munster): O’Connell will captain The Lions in 2009 having put in two remarkable seasons for Munster and Ireland. A neck injury raised concerns for the lock’s career at one stage, but the Limerick man is now in the best form and position to put the record right after a rather disappointing tour in 2005. This guy was being hailed as world class before arriving in New Zealand, he has proved it since but there is unfinished business in a Lions shirt.
Malcolm O'Kelly (Ireland/Leinster): Having featured in the Lions tour of Australia, O’Kelly was expected to be one of the front runners for Sir Clive in New Zealand. However, a groin injury, sustained in training, robbed the Leinster man of the chance to add to his caps tally, and The Lions were forced to call up Simon Shaw as cover. O’Kelly continued to play for Ireland, however, keeping O’Callaghan at bay for several seasons but the latter has now firmly established himself as the first choice alongside O’Connell – having started every game during the last two 6 Nations Championships.
Neil Back (England/Leicester Tigers): To some he will always be the lad who pawed the ball away from Peter Stringer during the 2002 Heineken Cup semi-final against Munster, but, to most, he is the back row who was excellent during England’s 2003 World Cup run and the man who finished his career in top flight rugby on a Lions Tour. On selection he became the oldest ever Lion – aged 36 – and was picked for the first Test against The Kiwis, only to be left out of the subsequent two.
Martin Corry (England/Leicester Tigers): Injuries to Neil Back and Richard Hill saw Corry added to Graham Henry’s 2001 touring party to Australia, with the Leicester man involved in all three Tests against the hosts. Over the next four years, he helped England lift the 2003 World Cup before becoming England captain in his own right for the 2005 6 Nations Championship. Selected for the trip to New Zealand by Sir Clive, Corry was named vice-captain for the first Test, which became full captain just two minutes in following injury to Brian O’Driscoll. Corry, however, was replaced by Ryan Jones, a late call-up, for the final two Tests, however. The versatile forward went on to be part of the 2007 England squad that got to the final in France, but then retired from international rugby last year at the age of 34.
Lawrence Dallaglio (England/Wasps): Dallaglio’s decision to retire from international rugby in 2004, surprisingly, had no effect on his Lions career as Sir Clive selected the back row for what would be his third trip in April of 2005. His tour ended during the very first match, however, when a fractured ankle – sustained against Bay of Plenty – saw Ireland’s Simon Easterby given the nod. The experience did see him reconsider his international retirement, though, and he returned to the England fold during the 2006 6 Nations before finally hanging up his boots last year.
Richard Hill (England/Saracens): Injuries were always a part of Hill’s career, unfortunately, and he was included in the 2005 Lions squad by Sir Clive despite having spent much of the previous months on the sideline because of surgery on his cruciate ligament. He started the first Test against New Zealand, but suffered another knee injury and missed the rest of the tour as a result. Hill retired from the game in May of 2008 and now walks with permanent limp.
Lewis Moody (England/Leicester Tigers): The international retirements of Dallaglio and Hill saw Moody take over the mantle of being part of England’s much-vaunted back row. The Leicester man started five games in total on the trip to New Zealand, including two of the biggest Tests but is not included this time round despite continuing his international career under Martin Johnson.
Michael Owen (Wales/Newport Gwent Dragons): Owen was included in the 2005 squad on the back of Wales’ triumph in the 6 Nations Championships of the same year just months earlier. He was given the honour of captaining the side during their warm-up game against Argentina – played in Cardiff – but played a largely supporting role on tour – failing to be capped in any of the three Tests against the home nation. Owen now plays for Saracens having found himself out of favour for Wales selection with the emergence of plenty of back row talent in the country.
Simon Taylor (Scotland/Edinburgh): A hamstring injury robbed Simon Taylor of the chance to add to his single Lions cap in 2005. The back row had spent many of the previous months on the sidelines because of a knee injury, so the blow in New Zealand had him considering his future in the game, at least initially. He did continue, though, and plays with Stade Francais these days.
Martyn Williams (Wales/Cardiff Blues): Always a competitive back row, Williams excelled on to another level during Wales’ 2005 6 Nations triumph. Despite his form, he only started one Test against New Zealand, though, collecting seven caps in all to add to the four picked up in 2001 while touring Australia. His nation’s early exit from the 2007 World Cup saw the flanker announce his retirement from international rugby, only to be talked out of the move not long after by newly-appointed Head Coach Warren Gatland. Aggressive and competitive at the break down, Williams will be one to beat for starting slot in South Africa.
Late call-ups:
Simon Shaw (Wasps/England): Shaw was called up as cover for Malcolm O’Kelly on June 2nd having been part of the 1997 squad. He failed to force his way into the reckoning for any of the three Tests but did collect five caps against the smaller sides. Before the 2009 6 Nations Championship, the lock would have been an outside bet for selection this time round, but, several stirring displays for England, saw him earn a seat on the plane.
Simon Easterby (Llanelli Scarlets/Ireland): Brought in as cover for the injured Lawrence Dallaglio on June 4th, Easterby played in two of the Tests against New Zealand even breaking the whitewash on one occasion. His performances saw him establish himself as one of Ireland’s leading flankers, a position that came under threat more and more until he announced his retirement from international rugby in March 2008. He continues to play for The Scarlets.
Ryan Jones (Ospreys/Wales): A shock exclusion from the original Lions squad – considering his form during the 6 Nations – Jones was called up as cover for Simon Taylor on June 10th. With just one game under his belt, he replaced Richard Hill during the first Test against New Zealand and made such an impression that he started the two remaining games. Is flexible regarding position in the back row, but indifferent form has seen him lose out against for 2009.
Brent Cockbain (Ospreys/Wales): Cockbain was added to the squad following Danny Grewcock’s suspension for biting, but was restricted to a replacement’s role in the games against Manawatu and Auckland. The lock, now playing for Sale Sharks, has not been included in the 2009 touring party.
Jason White (Sale Sharks/Scotland): White replaced the injured Richard Hill on June 27 and had time for just a single Lions cap against Auckland. He now plies his trade with Sale, and has not been considered for the trip to South Africa.
A look through the backs and some of the main coaching staff to follow in the coming days...