Lewis, a ‘Lion’ still lost to the record books

IN the 60-odd years since Dickie Jeeps’ played throughout a four-Test series for the Lions before appearing for his country, only five other uncapped players have become Test Lions.

The late Sale centre Bill Patterson was the first, in New Zealand in 1959 fully two years before he made it into the England team. A Geordie, Patterson died almost 20 years ago at 62.

The other four to follow in his wake are all Welsh who made their Lions bow on successive tours of New Zealand – Delme Thomas in 1966, Derek Quinnell in 1971, Brynmor Williams and Elgan Rees in 1977.

Williams, 65 next Saturday, had been picked after Gareth Edwards declared himself unavailable. He won the nod over Scotland’s Dougie Morgan for the first three Tests but then had to wait for Edwards’ retirement 12 months later before playing for Wales.

Rees, chosen for the last Test of the ’77 tour, had to bide his time until 1979 for the same honour. It was one that proved beyond another uncapped Lion on that same tour.

Alun Lewis, the Cambridge University and London Welsh scrum half, joined the ’77 trip as a replacement. He started for the Lions after they had lost the series to the All Blacks, playing alongside the late John Bevan of Aberavon, against Fiji. While the fixture has never been accorded Test status, Lewis can justifiably name it as his one and only international match.