The 1970 Great Britain Lions tour was the Great Britain national rugby league team's 14th tour of Australasia and took place from May to August 1970. A total of 24 matches were played against local club and representative sides during the tour, including a three match Test match series against Australia and New Zealand respectively.
The tour was one of the most successful in Lions history, with the team winning all but two of the matches. It is also remembered for being the last time that Great Britain won an Ashes series against Australia.
Touring squad On 4 March 1970, an initial 21 players were selected for the tour, with the remaining players to be named later in the month. On 25 March, seven additional players were chosen to complete the 26-man squad, with Frank Myler named as captain (two of the originally selected players withdrew from the squad – John Mantle withdrew for "domestic reasons", while Jim Mills intended to emigrate to Australia to play for North Sydney).
After the squad was selected, John Stephens withdrew from the tour due to injury, and was replaced by Dennis Hartley. The tour manager was Jack Harding, with Johnny Whiteley as assistant manager and coach.
Name Position Nationality Club Utility back Castleford Fullback Bradford Northern Fullback Widnes Wing Leeds Wing Leeds Wing Hull Centre Salford Centre Leeds Centre St Helens Stand-off Leeds Stand-off Hull Kingston Rovers Stand-off Castleford Scrum-half Leeds Scrum-half Castleford Prop forward St Helens Prop forward Salford Prop forward Leigh Prop forward Castleford Hooker Hull Kingston Rovers Hooker Bradford Northern Second-row Hull Kingston Rovers Second-row Oldham Second-row Wigan Second-row Featherstone Rovers Loose forward Castleford Loose forward Wigan
Results Australia
First Test
Second Test
Third Test
New Zealand
First Test
Second Test
Third Test
Aftermath The tour was one of the most successful in Lions history, with the team winning 22 out of their 24 matches – their only defeat was the first Test against Australia, with the draw against New South Wales being the only other game they failed to win. The tour made a profit of approximately £60,000.
References
External links Lions Tour 1970 at Rugby League Project