Where are they now? - 2013 British & Irish Lions Test squad that faced Australia
Rugby NewsFriday, 18 July 2025 at 13:52
The countdown is almost over, as the 2025 British & Irish Lions are set to commence their three-match series against Australia this Saturday in Brisbane. The iconic Suncorp Stadium that sits upon the Sunshine Coast will provide the backdrop for the opening Test, as the Lions and Wallabies etch in the next era of a storied rivalry, that dates back to their inaugural battle in 1899.
Due to the scheduled cycle of British & Irish Lions tours, the world famous men in red have not faced Australia in a Test match for 12 years. Since then, the Lions toured New Zealand for a drawn series in 2017, battle Japan in a one off Test ahead of their 2021 tour, which saw the then Lions embark on a one of a kind venture to South Africa, for a Test series defeat that played out entirely behind the closed doors of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Lions, now with Andy Farrell at the helm following the departure of Warren Gatland, hosted Argentina in Dublin ahead of their departure out to Australia. After an opening defeat to a jubilant Pumas side, the Lions have turned their form around with five wins on the bounce out in the 'land down under'. So, as we gear up for the first of three high-octane Test matches, lets take a look back on the side that recorded what many believed to be the finest Lions win of the professional era.
The 2013 Lions tour was decided in dramatic fashion. The series was poised on a knife-edge at 1-1 heading into the final Test in Sydney, yet the Lions were primed to put in a commanding performance for an emphatic 41-16 win. This margin of victory stands as the biggest Test win in the history of the British & Irish Lions, with the class of '13 now immortalised within the folklore of the touring side.
So, what have the stars of the 2013 Lions Test series been doing for the past 12 years? Lets dive into the history books and see where they are now.
Leigh Halfpenny – 1st, 2nd & 3rd Test
The Player of the Series in 2013, Leigh Halfpenny was faultless with the boot and rock-solid in the back-field. Post-tour, he joined Toulon in France before returning to Wales with the Scarlets. He reached 100 caps for Wales and retired from international duty in 2023. In 2024, he had a short stint with Harlequins before announcing his full retirement from rugby. Halfpenny recently took up a skills coach role with Wales, for the 2025 Summer tour of Japan.
Alex Cuthbert – 1st Test
Cuthbert remained in Wales with the Cardiff Blues before a stint with Exeter Chiefs in the Premiership. He returned to Ospreys and Wales in the early 2020s, adding to his Test cap tally. Whilst Cuthbert is not officially retired yet has taken an extended period away from the pitch to recover from a hamstring injury. As a free agent, Cutherbert's on-field career is as yet unconfirmed, as he has also pursued business ventures with his Wales teammate Gareth Anscombe.
Brian O'Driscoll – 1st & 2nd Test
Brian O'Driscoll was controversially dropped for the final Test in 2013, but his legacy was secure as an all-time Lions great. He retired in 2014 as Ireland's most capped player and one of the best centres to ever lace a pair of boots. Since then, he's become a leading pundit for BT Sport and ITV, and remains a prominent voice in the sport. He's also involved in business and charity initiatives in Ireland.
Jonathan Davies – 1st & 2nd Test
Davies' form on the 2013 tour catapulted him to global recognition. He played a central role in Wales' 2019 Grand Slam and World Cup semi-final run. He remained with Scarlets until retiring from international rugby in 2023. Injuries hampered his final years, but his tactical intelligence left a lasting impression. He is now an emerging media analyst and ambassador for Welsh rugby.
George North – 1st, 2nd & 3rd Test
A teenage sensation in 2013, North went on to win over 100 caps for Wales. He overcame multiple concussions and a knee injury to reinvent himself as a centre. He retired from international rugby in 2024 and currently plays for Provence in France. North remains one of the most recognisable figures from the 2013 tour, thanks to his iconic carry of Israel Folau, and his wonder-try in the Test series.
Johnny Sexton – 1st & 3rd Test
Sexton was integral to the 2013 series win and continued to lead Leinster to domestic glory and Ireland to multiple Six Nations titles, including the 2018 Grand Slam. He retired after the 2023 World Cup and joined the coaching ranks. In 2025, he's serving as an attack and skills coach for the Lions tour of Australia. His transition into coaching has been seamless, with many tipping him for future head coach roles.
Mike Phillips – 1st & 2nd Test
Mike Phillips brought physicality and swagger to the Lions setup, and starred in the halfback ranks. He retired in 2017 after stints in France with Bayonne and Racing 92, and a final season in the Premiership with Sale Sharks. Phillips also enjoyed occasional appearances with the Scarlets and Whitland RFC before officially hanging up the boots. He’s since appeared on reality TV and now runs a fitness business in Dubai while dabbling in punditry.
Alex Corbisiero – 1st & 3rd Test
Corbisiero's 3rd Test performance in Sydney was the finest of his short career. Sadly, injuries forced him into early retirement in 2016. He turned to broadcasting in the U.S., becoming a respected rugby pundit and ambassador for the game. He’s also involved in mental health advocacy and mentoring young athletes, whilst pursuing a coaching career in Los Angeles.
Tom Youngs – 1st & 2nd Test
Youngs remained with Leicester Tiger throughout his career, earning over 200 appearances and a place in the annuls of Welford Road. He retired in 2021 for family reasons, and appeared on the pitch to lift the Premiership trophy in the 2021/22 Final at Twickenham. He’s now involved in farming and speaks candidly about mental health and life after rugby.
Adam Jones – 1st & 2nd Test
Jones wrapped up his career with Harlequins, where he transitioned into coaching. He’s now part of the coaching staff at Quins and with the Wales squad, where he is highly respected for his scrum expertise. One of Wales' greatest ever props, his post-playing career has kept him firmly embedded in the game.
Alun Wyn Jones – 1st, 2nd & 3rd Test
The towering lock would go on to captain Wales and the 2021 Lions, which saw him set the record for the most international Test appearances, for a combined total of 170. He forwent his involvement in the Wales squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup and retired after a short final stint with Toulon. AWJ has since taken up a media role with BBC Wales and remains active in rugby-related charitable foundations.
Paul O'Connell – 1st & 2nd Test
A Lions and Irish rugby legend, O'Connell retired in 2016 after an injury-shortened spell in France with Toulon. He’s built a strong coaching résumé, including stints with Ireland U20, Munster, and currently as Ireland’s forwards coach. O’Connell briefly took over the helm as Ireland's interim head coach for the Summer tour of Georgia and Portugal, in the Lions enforced absence of Andy Farrell and Simon Easterby. O'Connell is widely viewed as a future head coach for the men from the Emerald Isle.
Tom Croft – 1st Test
Croft’s career was severely hampered by injuries after the 2013 Lions tour, and he endured a two-year break from the Test stage. Croft made his return to England in the 2015 Six Nations match against Italy, in what doubled-up as his international retirement match. He retired in 2017 and has largely stayed away from the limelight. He now works in property and occasionally makes appearances at Leicester Tigers events and community rugby initiatives.
Jamie Heaslip – 1st & 2nd Test
The versatile back row retired suddenly in 2018 due to a back injury. The injury took place whilst Heaslip warmed up for the Ireland vs England match in the 2017 Six Nations, and he never returned to the pitch. Heaslip has since become a regular analyst on Irish television and built a successful business portfolio, including a stake in a health food chain. He remains close to the game through media and commercial ventures.
Sam Warburton – 1st, 2nd & 3rd Test
The captain of the 2013 series and again in 2017, Warburton retired in 2018 due to persistent injuries. He has become a respected pundit with BBC and Sky Sports and is currently part of Sky’s coverage of the 2025 Lions tour. He also works with the WRU on performance structures and talent pathways, and enjoyed a brief run under former head coach Wayne Pivac as breakdown coach.
Richard Hibbard – 1st Test
The wild-haired hooker moved from Ospreys to Gloucester, where he became a fan favourite. He retired in 2021 and now runs a pub in Wales. Hibbard remains a cult figure, often featuring in nostalgic Lions content and community coaching clinics.
Mako Vunipola – 1st, 2nd & 3rd Test
Mako Vunipola played a key role in England’s resurgence and Saracens' dominance throughout the late 2010s. In 2024, he left Saracens and signed with Vannes in France, thus ending his England career in the process. He’s still playing for the French club in 2025, where he remains a force in the scrum and a leader among younger players in the Pro D2 setup.
Dan Cole – 1st & 3rd Test
Cole enjoyed a remarkable second act, returning to England duty for the 2023 World Cup. He retired in 2025 as the most-capped England forward of all time, finishing up 10 minutes early as he was sin-binned in Leicester’s loss to Bath in the Premiership final. He now co-hosts the "For the Love of Rugby" podcast with Ben Youngs, and could well venture into the rugby punditry space, given his wealth of knowledge and unique personality.
Geoff Parling – 1st & 2nd Test
After leaving Leicester, Parling had spells with Exeter, Munakata Sanix Blues in Japan, and Melbourne Rebels, where he transitioned into coaching. He recently departed the Rebels staff and has been involved with the Wallabies coaching setup. Parling is currently working with Joe Schmidt's Australia in the series against the Lions, before he returns to England following his appointment as Leicester Tigers head coach ahead of the 2025/26 Premiership Rugby season.
Dan Lydiate – 1st Test
Renowned for his chop tackles, Lydiate returned to the Ospreys after a stint with Racing 92. Lydiate now writes occasional columns while enjoying a quieter life on his family farm, where he runs an egg production company. Lydiate is reportedly transitioning back into rugby, where he is said to be stepping into a coaching role with the Dragons in Newport.
Ben Youngs – 1st & 2nd Test
England’s most-capped men's player of all time, Youngs retired at the end of the 2025 season, after Leicester lost the Premiership final to Bath. He now co-hosts the "For the Love of Rugby" podcast with Dan Cole and is carving a new media career with charm and insight.
Owen Farrell – 1st, 2nd & 3rd Test
Farrell took a sabbatical from England duty in 2024 and spent a season with Racing 92. In 2025, he returned to Saracens and was a late call-up to the Lions squad in Australia, replacing the injured Elliot Daly. He remains a key leader and competitor in the game, with a return to England duties on the cards.
Sean Maitland – 1st Test
After a long stint with Saracens and Scotland, Maitland retired from international rugby in 2023 and from club rugby a year later. He reportedly now coaches part-time at a London-based club and is involved in grassroots initiatives to inspire the next generation.
Tommy Bowe – 2nd Test
Bowe retired in 2018 and has since become a household name in Ireland, hosting morning TV and sports broadcasts. He remains a beloved figure in rugby circles and also runs a fashion brand. Bowe has achieved the difficult trait of transcending rugby, with a long broadcast career set to continue for the former Ireland international.
Ryan Grant – 2nd Test
Grant had a solid club career with Glasgow and Edinburgh and earned further Scotland caps before retiring in 2018. He has since moved into coaching and remains involved in Scottish rugby development. The latest known whereabouts report that Grant is coaching local side Glasgow Academicals, whilst also co-owning a gin business called the Garden Shed Drinks Company.
Sean O'Brien – 2nd Test
The Tullow Tank played in two Lions series and had a strong club career with Leinster and London Irish. He retired in 2022 and has since worked as a TV analyst and brand ambassador while also launching a health and fitness company.
Conor Murray – 2nd Test
Murray remained a mainstay for Ireland and the Lions through 2021. He retired from Test rugby in 2025 and left Munster at the end of the 2024/25 season. His next steps are undecided, but punditry and coaching opportunities are already lining up. Racing 92 are said to be interested in the scrum half, for one last ride out in Paris set to cap off Murray's incredible career.
Jamie Roberts – 3rd Test
After spells with Harlequins, Bath, and Dragons, Roberts retired in 2022. A qualified doctor, he now works in sports medicine and continues media work during major rugby events. Roberts has established a solid presence upon the rugby broadcasting space, with pitch-side punditry and play-by-play match commentary highlighting his wealth of knowledge for the game.
Taulupe Faletau – 3rd Test
Faletau remained one of Wales’ most dependable forwards into the mid-2020s. In 2025, his omission from the Lions squad raised eyebrows, especially after Caelan Doris’ injury. Still playing for Cardiff, retirement may be on the horizon for this legend of the Welsh back row.
Richie Gray – 3rd Test
Gray’s career spanned spells in Scotland, Sale, and Toulouse. He returned to Glasgow Warriors and added a World Cup appearance in 2023 before retiring from the Test level 2024. Gray signed for Japan Rugby League One side for the 2024/25 season, and is expected to remain out in the Far East for the coming years.
Justin Tipuric – 3rd Test
The silky-skilled flanker retired from international rugby in 2023, as he opted against his involvement in the Welsh squad for the Rugby World Cup, with Alun Wyn Jones then following suit. Tipuric is steadily winding down his career with the Ospreys, and he will become the defense coach for the 2025/26 United Rugby Championship season out in South Wales.
Manu Tuilagi – 3rd Test
Injuries were a constant hurdle, but Manu Tuilagi remained a key figure for England, Leicester Tigers and latterly Sale Sharks. Tuilagi departed the Premiership at the end of the 2023/24 season, and has since been plying his trade for Bayonne in the French Top 14. Tuilagi is still battering down defensive lines, and has become an immediate fan favourite out in France.
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