History of rugby union matches between the British & Irish Lions and other countries
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Since 1989, the British & Irish Lions have developed a regular 12-year cycle of tours visiting one of the following three Southern Hemisphere nations, in turn, every four years:
- Australia (previous 2013, next 2025)
- New Zealand (previous 2017, next 2029)
- South Africa (previous 2021, next 2033)
However the history of their tours is more variable and diverse than the current status quo might indicate. Prior to the Second World War the Lions routinely toured Argentina, tours of Australia and New Zealand were frequently carried out in the same trip, intervals between tours were sometimes as much as 14 years (1910ā1924) and sometimes as little as one year (1903, 1904) or even in the same year (1910 South Africa and Argentina). Additionally, whilst making tours the Lions would frequently play other neighbouring nations or teams in countries where the ship pulled into port or where the aircraft landed en route.
The Lions have also played several one-off matches when not on tour; these have all taken place in the United Kingdom with the exception of one match played in France.
The Lions have not always awarded caps for these matches, depending on whether it was felt by the team management that the opposition merited full-international status.