ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Rousing speech from the great Willie John McBride

BY Jack Tunney  ·  Tuesday Aug 16, 2022

Prior to the first test match of the 2001 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, 17-cap living legend Willie John McBride was asked to give a short speech to the then-current squad of players. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Willie John McBride is a true legend of the game. The Ireland Rugby legend turned out for the British and Irish Lions a record seventeen times in test matches over five tours.

Known as one of the hardest men in rugby history, McBride instigated a policy of “one in, all in” during their 1974 tour of South Africa. The idea was when one Lion got into a fight on the field, all other Lions were expected to fight the nearest Springbok.

Check out the rousing speech below:

Now 82, McBride looked back at his career with the British and Irish Lions a couple of years ago:

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

    Adam Radwan sets sights on Olympic honours...

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Kyle Rowe’s remarkable journey from an...

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Bath Rugby bolster squad with another young...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Results: Another exciting weekend of international rugby complete

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    WATCH: South African schoolboy leaves defenders clutching at ghosts

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    WATCH: Innovative Springboks score incredible trick try vs the All Blacks

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Mark Nawaqanitawase breaks four tackles to score on league debut

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    All Blacks score terrific length of the field try

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Leigh Halfpenny given harsh welcome to English rugby

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Fight kicks off between parents and players in South African school boy match

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Insane show of strength highlights pure athleticism of female rugby players

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Viral clip encapsulates why RG Snyman is so impressive

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Kurt-Lee Arendse shown yellow card for 'Croc Roll' against Portugal

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 10 HOURS AGO

    Crowds gather as former Welsh star returns to rugby

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Courtney Lawes comes up clutch for his new Pro D2 team with match winning moment

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    King Charles melts hearts with incredible reaction to meeting the Black Ferns

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    WATCH: Winger pulls off all time try saving tackle and match winning try in Top 14

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Report: England assistant coach QUITS amid 'unstable working environment'

View All

Funnies

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Owen Farrell spotted in Paris committing hard to life with Racing 92

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'Who is that guy?!' - US sports commentator in awe of Springbok star

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Rugby's most obscure record that Scottish Rugby currently holds

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Danny Care roasted by teammates in new vlog

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Funny pre-World Cup South African adverts unearthed

View All

Amateur

  • 88 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 88 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 111 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 111 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 111 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 10 HOURS AGO

    Crowds gather as former Welsh star returns to rugby

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Scarratt back for her 100th test start as Red Roses set to face Black Ferns

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Leigh Halfpenny given harsh welcome to English rugby

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Ben Earl gives his backing to the new Saracens captain

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    The Tuilagi's take over French streets in heartwarming reunion

View All