With the British and Irish Lions now in camp in Australia, it’s time to look back at the youngest players to have pulled on the famous red jersey. From loosehead prop to fullback, here are the 15 youngest players of the professional era to represent the Lions, whether in a midweek game or a Test match.
The age listed for each player is their age at the time of the final match of that series.
1. Mako Vunipola (22 / Lions No. 787 / 2013 tour)
The former Saracens prop made his Lions debut on the 2013 tour, coming off the bench in the first Test against Australia. Aged 22, his work rate and set-piece nous were central to the Lions securing their first series win in 16 years. He went on to be selected again in 2017 and 2021.
2. Barry Williams (23 / Lions No. 672 / 1997)
A surprise selection for the 1997 tour of South Africa, Wales hooker Barry Williams played several midweek games. Though he didn’t win a Test cap, he contributed to victories over Eastern Province XV, Border and Western Province.
3. Matt Stevens (22 / Lions No. 741 / 2005)
The former Bath, Sharks and Toulon prop featured in the 2005 squad, playing against Otago, Southland and Wellington. Despite later off-field controversy, Stevens earned a second tour call-up in 2013 under Warren Gatland.
4. Richie Gray (23 / Lions No. 781 / 2013)
Scotland’s towering lock played 14 minutes in the final Test of the 2013 series. His lineout presence also helped the tourists to wins over the Melbourne Rebels, Combined Country and the Reds.
5. Maro Itoje (22 / Lions No. 825 / 2017)
Now Lions captain, Itoje made his debut tour in 2017, just a year after his England debut. After impressing against the M?ori All Blacks, the 22-year-old started all three Tests. His performance in the second Test is still regarded as one of the finest in recent Lions memory.
6. Tom Croft (23 / Lions No. 764 / 2009)
Among the quickest flankers of his generation, Croft earned three Test caps on the 2009 tour to South Africa. He scored twice in the series opener but it wasn’t enough to prevent defeat to the Springboks.
7. Henry Pollock (20 / TBD / 2025)
The youngest player in the current squad, Pollock made his Lions debut at 20, playing 32 minutes in the loss to Argentina. If selected for the Tests, he could become the youngest Lions Test player of the professional era.
8. Eric Miller (21 / Lions No. 679 / 1997)
The youngest member of the 1997 squad, Ireland back row Eric Miller featured for five minutes in the second Test before injury ruled him out of the decider. He made his Ireland debut that same year and played internationally until 2006.
9. Ben Youngs (23 / Lions No. 799 / 2013)
The now-retired scrum-half played in several midweek games in 2013 and started the first two Tests. However, Mike Phillips reclaimed the starting No. 9 shirt, with Conor Murray preferred on the bench.
10. Owen Farrell (21 / Lions No. 780 / 2013)
Farrell was just 21 when selected for the 2013 tour. Having debuted for England the year before, he featured in midweek fixtures before appearing in the final Test.
11. Stuart Hogg (21 / Lions No. 783 / 2013)
The youngest player on the 2013 tour, Hogg didn’t break into the Test side but finished with 23 points from three midweek outings. He would have to wait until 2021 to earn his first Lions Test cap.
12. George North (21 / Lions No. 792 / 2013)
That fireman-carry of Israel Folau remains iconic. North’s physicality, stamina and scoring threat were central to the Lions’ series win in Australia. The Ospreys winger bagged two tries across three standout performances.
13. Brian O’Driscoll (21 / Lions No. 697 / 2001)
O’Driscoll’s debut was unforgettable, scoring a brilliant solo try in the first Test. The Ireland and Leinster great proved a handful throughout and went on to tour in 2005, 2009 and 2013—one of just a few players to tour four times.
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (20 / Lions No. 846 / 2021)
Rees-Zammit burst onto the scene in 2021, scoring tries against the Stormers, Lions and Sharks. Though he didn’t feature in the Tests, he was the youngest player on tour and remains the second-youngest Lion of the pro era.
15. Leigh Halfpenny (20 / Lions No. 775 / 2009)
Selected by Ian McGeechan at 20, Halfpenny missed the Test series due to injury but featured in one midweek match. He would become a key Test player in 2013.
Honourable mentions
Tadhg Furlong (24 / Lions No. 818 / 2017)
Though not quite young enough to make the XV above, Furlong was still among the youngest props to feature for the Lions. He played a key role in the 2017 series draw with New Zealand and remains a mainstay in Lions conversations.
Taulupe Faletau (22 / Lions No. 779 / 2013)
Faletau played in one Test in 2013 and has been part of every Lions campaign since. Injuries permitting, he remains a strong contender.
Jonny Wilkinson (22 / Lions No. 714 / 2001)
Two years before World Cup glory, Wilkinson toured Australia and started in the series decider. Despite a fine performance, the Lions were edged out 29–23. He would return to haunt the Wallabies in 2003.
