Fancy a British and Irish Lions argument down your local pub or club ahead of this summer’s three-Test series with the All Blacks? Then try coming up with the ultimate Lions XV and be in total agreement with your fellow selectors. Because you can bet your

15: JPR WILLIAMS (WALES) His Lions exploits remain the stuff of legend as JPR was ever present in the two triumphant Test series that go down in folklore – 1971 and 1974.

Though 1974 was the tour JPR answered the infamous ‘99 call in South Africa like no other, arguably his most iconic moment came three years earlier in the final Test against the All Blacks when slotting over a totally unexpected 50-yard drop-goal to secure a 14-14 draw and clinch the Lions’ only ever series win in New Zealand. 14: GERALD DAVIES (WALES) One of the golden generation of Welsh players who elevated their reputations to stratospheric levels with the Lions.

Toured South Africa in 1968 and in 1971 was a central figure touching down three times in their historic series win over the All Blacks.

John Dawes, his captain in 1971 said: “He was a magical man to have in your team because he could turn a game with one run.” 13: JEREMY GUSCOTT (ENGLAND) Went on three Lions tours, playing in eight Tests and proved to be the centre for the big occasion.

After missing out in the first Test in 1989, in Australia, the Lions adopted a more daring approach bringing in the Bath man who scored an outrageous try in the dying minutes to help the Lions become the only side to come from 1-0 down to win a series.

He enhanced his reputation again in New Zealand in 1993 and then etched his name into the fabric of the Lions by dropping the audacious goal that sealed series victory over the Springboks in ‘97. 12: MIKE GIBSON (IRELAND) A lawyer by trade and a perfectionist with a rugby ball in his hand becoming the most capped Lions centre of all time on 12.

He made history in the opening Test in 1968 by becoming the first replacement in international rugby.

Gibson enjoyed his finest hour in 1971, when he formed the perfect midfield trio outside Barry John and captain John Dawes. 11: JJ WILLIAMS (WALES) The fleet-footed wing had represented his country as a sprinter at the 1970 Commonwealth Games but by 1974 had focused solely on his rugby and was called up for the iconic tour to South Africa.

The schoolteacher had to take unpaid leave to tour with the Lions, and a return of 12 tries from as many games, and a record four in the Test series, gave the Springboks a graphic lesson in the art of finishing.

Three years later, Williams toured New Zealand, and although his trip was ended prematurely by a hamstring injury suffered during the third Test, he still notched up a further 10 tries. 10: BARRY JOHN (WALES) Lauded the greatest Lion of them all, BJ earned his revered nickname ‘The King’ from the New Zealand press in 1971, who didn’t hand out plaudits lightly.

In the first Test in Dunedin, he tormented Fergie McCormick so much with his tactical kicking that the full-back never played for his country again.

An early drop-goal, two conversions and another try – finishing off an instinctive break from Edwards – paved the way for the 13-3 third-Test win in Wellington that ensured the Lions couldn’t lose the series. Only John Dawes played more games on that tour and he finished it with 194 points in 17 games – a Lions record. 9: GARETH EDWARDS (WALES) Crowned the greatest ever player on planet rugby, Edwards turned 21 on his first Lions tour, to South Africa in 1968.

Edwards was well into his record run of 53 Wales caps in a row heading off to the land of the long white cloud and played a pivotal role in the Lions’ first series victory in New Zealand. In 1974, Edwards returned to South Africa at the peak of his powers and enjoying an armchair ride behind a forward pack that dominated the Springbok eight from start to finish. His form on tour led Willie John McBride to describe him as “the best scrum-half I have seen or am ever likely to see.” 1: FRAN COTTON (ENGLAND) One of the toughest choices to make as the claims of Scotland’s ‘Mighty Mouse’ Ian McLauchlan cannot be discounted lightly.

Cotton played in all four Tests of the Lions’ famous ‘74 win in South Africa on the tighthead side and three against New Zealand in 1977 on the loosehead.

In ‘77 Cotton was also the subject of one of the sport’s most famous pictures, his mud smeared face being captured as a reminder of the terrible weather conditions against the Junior All Blacks. 2: KEITH WOOD (IRELAND) Capped five times by the Lions and on their triumphant 1997 tour of South Africa proved to be one of the most charismatic leaders in the game, and this showed through as he backed up tour captain Martin Johnson with some inspirational displays in their two Test match victories. Wood toured with the Lions again, playing all three Tests against Australia in 2001. The Lions were less successful on this occasion, losing the series 2-1. 3: GRAHAM PRICE (WALES) As much of a front-row superstar the tighthead was in a Pontypool and Wales jersey, his exploits with the Lions were equally as stellar even though his three tours never materialised into series wins.

He just missed out on the glory of the 1971 and ‘74 tours winning the first of his 12 successive caps on the ‘77 trip to New Zealand. 4: WILLIE JOHN-MCBRIDE (IRELAND) Of all the Lions down the years the Irishman was the undisputed leader of the pack playing in 17 Tests on five different tours.

His performances, on and off the pitch, as captain in South Africa in 1974 remain the stuff of legends, a staple of after dinner speeches in rugby clubs the world over where he led the tourists unbeaten through a 22-match programme.

McBride’s leadership was inspirational and protective in equal measure; “we take no prisoners” his catchphrase that encapsulated the team spirit bonding the entire squad. 5: MARTIN JOHNSON (ENGLAND) England’s 2003 World Cup winning captain holds a unique place in Lions history as the only man to captain the tourists twice... a feat set to be matched by Wales flanker Sam Warburton in New Zealand this summer. He also shares with the great Willie John McBride the honour of being the only Lions skipper to savour a Test series victory in South Africa in the 20th century.

He made history with his second Lions captaincy in Australia in 2001 and, although losing the series 2-1, Johnson emerged with his reputation enhanced by the way he handled the job on a difficult tour. 6: RICHARD HILL (ENGLAND) The unsung hero of England’s much vaunted back-row alongside Lawrence Dallaglio and Neil Back, Hill holds the distinction of being the only member of the Sir Clive Woodward’s side never to be dropped by him. While others are the all action heroes, Hill used his brain and bravery to outwit his opponents. He also played five Tests for the Lions between 1997 and 2005. 7: FERGUS SLATTERY (IRELAND) Alongside Roger Uttley and Mervyn Davies, the Irish openside completed what is considered the best of all Lions back rows and played a crucial part in the destruction of South Africa in 1974 .

Used his pace and almost sat-nav like qualities to hunt down the Springboks from first whistle to last.

In New Zealand too he was already revered, having impressed there on his first Lions tour as a 22-year-old in 1971. Despite suffering concussion and two broken teeth in the infamous Canterbury game, Slattery played in half of the 24 matches. 8: MERVYN DAVIES (WALES) The late-great ‘Merve the Swerve’ Davies was an ever-present Test player on two of the most successful tours in Lions history.

Made the starting XV for all four Tests against the All Blacks in 1971, before achieving the same feat in South Africa three years later. Both tours resulted in series victories for the Lions.

His abilities at the back of the lineout prompted New Zealand legend Colin Meads to claim that the Welshman had the All Blacks ‘donkey licked’ during the only ever series win in New Zealand 46 years ago.