Mike Tindall named the best player to never play for the British & Irish Lions

However, some exceptional talents have never had the honour of donning the famous red jersey. Here are five standout players who, despite their brilliance, never played for the Lions.

With a staggering 109 caps for Scotland and 809 Test points, Christopher Douglas Paterson is one of rugby's greats who never toured with the Lions. Known for his skill and versatility, Paterson could play both fly-half and full-back with ease. Despite strong cases for inclusion in the 2001, 2005, and 2009 tours, Paterson was overlooked, partly due to Scotland's underwhelming performances during those periods.

Dylan Hartley, a former England captain, was a formidable presence on the field, known for his precise line-out throws and physicality. His chance to tour with the Lions seemed certain when he was named in the squad for the 2013 tour to Australia. However, an 11-week ban for verbally abusing referee Wayne Barnes in the English Premiership final dashed his hopes, leaving him among the notable absentees.

Peter Stringer, the former Ireland scrum-half, was a maestro in game management, seamlessly linking forwards and backs. His critics often pointed to his limited attacking threat with the ball in hand, but Stringer silenced them by scoring the decisive try in Munster's 2006 Heineken Cup final victory.

Despite his excellence, Stringer never made it onto a Lions tour, a surprising omission given his pivotal role for both club and country.

Jonathan Davies, hailed by Jacques Fouroux as the "Maradona of rugby," was an exceptional talent in the late 1980s.

His speed, sharp rugby brain, and tackling ability made him a standout player. Unfortunately, Davies missed out on Lions selection due to timing and circumstances: he emerged after the 1983 tour, saw the 1986 trip cancelled, and switched to rugby league before the 1989 tour to Australia. Had things been different, Davies would have been a key player for the Lions.

Mike Tindall, a World Cup and Grand Slam winner, earned 75 caps for England over 11 years and led his country with distinction. His Lions ambitions were thwarted by injuries, which prevented him from participating in the 2001 and 2005 tours.

Despite his impressive resume, Tindall's Lions dream was never realised, a testament to the unpredictable nature of sports.