Four Most Disappointing Lions of the Tour (So Far…)

But for a handful of players, what should’ve been the experience of a lifetime has instead become a summer of frustration, false starts, and missed opportunity.

Here are the four players who, for a variety of reasons, have endured a 

difficult Lions tour down under.

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Age: 23 | Position: Fly-Half | Club: Northampton Saints

Smith entered the Lions camp on a high — having just guided Northampton Saints to a Premiership title and playing a starring role in their run-in. But the fly-half has barely featured, and when he has, it's been… well, fine.

With George Ford pulling the strings for England in his absence, Steve Borthwick now has a big decision to make at 10.

For a player tipped as the long-term successor to Owen Farrell, this summer has felt like a missed beat. Smith is still one of the brightest talents in British rugby — but he’ll know he didn’t take his chance here.

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Age: 30 | Position: Scrum-Half | Club: Cardiff Rugby

Set to be Wales’ lone Lion in the starting XV — and showing electric form in the tour opener with two tries against Western Force — Williams looked nailed-on. Then disaster struck.

A torn hamstring while scoring his second try cruelly ended his tour just as it began. He’s since flown home, replaced by Scotland’s Ben White.

Williams won’t be the last to suffer on a Lions tour, but this one stings. For a player who's been a rare consistent performer in a struggling Wales setup, it’s a heartbreak.

Age: 20 | Position: Flanker | Club: Northampton Saints

A generational talent with sky-high expectations, Pollock has had a stuttering start to his Lions career. After impressing in limited game time and missing a match through illness, fans have been left wanting more from the teenage openside.

He’ll start against the First Nations & Pasifika XV in Melbourne this Tuesday — one final chance to stake a claim for the Test bench.

Long-term, there’s no doubt Pollock will be a Lions regular. But this tour? It's been more tease than triumph.

Age: 28 | Position: Fullback/Fly-Half | Club: Toulouse

Joining the squad late was always going to be tough. But to only last 30 minutes before hobbling off with a knee injury was the worst-case scenario for Kinghorn — and for the Lions.

With Hugo Keenan struggling at fullback, Kinghorn could’ve made a real case for himself this week. Instead, he’s become another casualty of this brutal tour.

Having impressed in his debut season with Toulouse, fans had hoped he might bring that Top 14 flair into the Lions setup. That hope now looks all but dashed.

Introduction:
Think you know your Lions legends? ?
Test your rugby knowledge by naming the players who have scored the most points for the British & Irish Lions in test matches. These are the top scorers from historic tours—can you remember them all?

You have 5 minutes.
Good luck!