Prop: Ian McLauchlan (Scotland)

Ian “Mighty Mouse” McLauchlan was known for his strength and tenacity in the scrum. Earning 43 caps for Scotland and playing in eight Tests for the Lions, his performance on the 1971 tour to New Zealand was particularly noteworthy.

Jiffy said: “In the first Test against New Zealand at Dunedin in 1971, McLauchlan charged down a clearance kick by Alan Sutherland in his own 22 and scored a crucial try in a 9-3 win. It set the tone for the whole series.”

Hooker: Keith Wood (Ireland)

Keith Wood, nicknamed “The Raging Potato,” was celebrated for his dynamic play and leadership. With 58 caps for Ireland and five for the Lions, his athleticism and skill set new standards for the hooker position.

Jiffy said: “One of the finest hookers of his generation. He had pace, athleticism, strength in tight situations, coolness under pressure, explosive running, superb kicking and handling skills, leadership along with scrummaging expertise.”

Prop: Fran Cotton (England)

Francis “Fran” Cotton was a formidable presence in the front row. Earning 31 caps for England and participating in seven Tests for the Lions, his strength and technique were highly regarded.

Jiffy said: “Cotton was a man-mountain; physical, solid with a powerful upper body, a player of immense strength.”

Lock: Willie John McBride (Ireland)

William “Willie John” McBride holds the record for the most Lions caps, with 17 appearances. His leadership on the 1974 South Africa tour is legendary, and he earned 63 caps for Ireland.

Jiffy said: “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. Abrasive and uncompromising, he was also cool-headed even in the often violent heat of Test match battle.”

Lock: Gordon Brown (Scotland)

Gordon Brown, affectionately known as “Broon frae Troon,” was one of Scotland’s finest second-row forwards. With 30 caps for Scotland and eight for the Lions, his toughness and work ethic made him a key figure in the legendary 1974 tour of South Africa.

Jiffy said: “When the going got tough, Brown always got going and he was not scared to mix it with some of the more unsavoury elements in the All Blacks and Springbok sides. He may well have been baby-faced, but he had the heart and the armoury of a warrior.”

Flanker: Fergus Slattery (Ireland)

Fergus Slattery, a dynamic and aggressive flanker, was a crucial part of Ireland’s success in the 1970s. Earning 61 caps for Ireland and playing in eight Lions Tests, he was a tireless worker with exceptional leadership skills.

Jiffy said: “One of those old-fashioned flankers who put the complete and utter fear of God in midfield backs generally—and mere fly-halves especially.”

Number 8: Mervyn Davies (Wales)

Mervyn “Merv the Swerve” Davies was a towering presence at No. 8, known for his intelligence, leadership, and dominance in the lineout. He won 38 caps for Wales and played in eight Tests for the Lions, captaining the team in 1976 before his career was tragically cut short due to illness.

Jiffy said: “Tall and gangly with his trademark moustache, he appeared awkward and cumbersome off the field, but once he stepped onto the pitch, he was transformed into an all-action hero, a natural leader who added gravitas to any team with which he was involved.”

Richard Hill was the ultimate team player—an unselfish, intelligent, and relentless competitor. With 71 caps for England and five for the Lions, he played a key role in England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup triumph and was a crucial part of the Lions’ 1997 series win in South Africa.

Flanker: Richard Hill (England)

Richard Hill was the ultimate team player—an unselfish, intelligent, and relentless competitor. With 71 caps for England and five for the Lions, he played a key role in England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup triumph and was a crucial part of the Lions’ 1997 series win in South Africa.

Jiffy said: “A thoroughly decent human being, loyal and hardworking, he devoted himself to the team at all times, to the point of self-sacrifice. While some flankers are self-proclaimed all-action heroes, making big and very visible hits in the open field, or in search of the eye-catching run and the try-scoring opportunity, Hill used his considerable brain, brawn, and bravery in the trenches, in the sapping close-quarters confrontations, forever scrapping and wrestling, grappling and grunting.”

QUIZ: Can You Name the England XV that Won the 2020 Six Nations?

England last won the Six Nations in 2020, in what was a crowning achievement during the Eddie Jones era. Coming off the back of the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final heartbreak, England bounced back to win their seventh Six Nations title since the competition’s Italian expansion in 2000.

England secured the trophy with a win in Rome, as they handed Italy a one-sided 34-5 bonus point defeat. We are challenging you to remember who started for England that day, as the match was played in front of an empty stadium during the Covid-19 Pandemic.

You have five minutes to provide your answers, good luck!

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