Lost Lions: The most-capped players never to tour
CARDIFF, WALES – February 13, 2010: Chris Paterson, an injured Scotland player, watches his 100th international during Wales vs. Scotland’s RBS 6 Nations Championship game at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.
Over the years, a number of exceptionally talented international players have not been able to get to the British and Irish Lions. The most-capped players who have never worn the iconic red jersey are listed by Neil Squires as Andy Farrell gets ready to pick his tour party on Thursday, May 8.
Chris Paterson, a Scottish A total of 109 caps
For the 2005 tour to New Zealand, Clive Woodward controversially left out Scotland’s all-time top scorer, leaving him without a spot in the oversized 44-man squad. James Hook of Wales, not Paterson, took the plane to South Africa in 2009 when Leigh Halfpenny was hurt. Paterson would have been the best goalie anywhere to match Halfpenny.Scottish native Sean Lamont One hundred and five caps
Scotland’s longtime winger, who participated in three World Cups, was constantly passed over by the Lions. Unfortunately, Lamont was left out of the Scotland team for the 2009 Six Nations at the worst possible moment, while Ugo Monye was chosen for South Africa after just one season of playing rugby internationally.Danny Care (England) 101 caps
One of the most unlucky of all the non-Lions, he was arguably next in line as scrum-half for four tours. Care missed out in 2009 after he received an ankle injury in the Six Nations, and his replacement, Harry Ellis, was nominated to fly to South Africa instead. From there, his bad luck persisted until 2021, when his Harlequins form pushed for a call-up to South Africa.
For the 2005 tour to New Zealand, Clive Woodward controversially left out Scotland’s all-time top scorer, leaving him without a spot in the oversized 44-man squad. James Hook of Wales, not Paterson, took the plane to South Africa in 2009 when Leigh Halfpenny was hurt. Paterson would have been the best goalie anywhere to match Halfpenny.Scottish native Sean Lamont One hundred and five caps
Scotland’s longtime winger, who participated in three World Cups, was constantly passed over by the Lions. Unfortunately, Lamont was left out of the Scotland team for the 2009 Six Nations at the worst possible moment, while Ugo Monye was chosen for South Africa after just one season of playing rugby internationally.Danny Care (England) 101 caps
One of the most unlucky of all the non-Lions, he was arguably next in line as scrum-half for four tours. Care missed out in 2009 after he received an ankle injury in the Six Nations, and his replacement, Harry Ellis, was nominated to fly to South Africa instead. From there, his bad luck persisted until 2021, when his Harlequins form pushed for a call-up to South Africa.
George Ford (England) 99 caps
He was a part of the England scene for ten years, but he missed the Wales standoff against Dan Biggar in 2017. Four years later, he was called up as an injury substitute for Finn Russell because of an Achilles problem. At 32, this summer’s trip to Australia is his last opportunity to finally get the call-up that his skill and commitment merit.
