British & Irish Lions legend Jim Telfer has been recognised for his achievements within the sport by being named as one of six inductees to the World Rugby Hall of Fame.
He is joined by former England captain and 1993 British & Irish Lions tourist Will Carling, as well as Fijian great Osea Kolinisau, Kenya’s Humphrey Kayange, Huriana Manuel-Carpenter of New Zealand and Australia’s Cheryl McAfee.
Telfer’s relationship with the Lions is one that dates back to the 1960s and his playing days when he won 25 caps for Scotland in the back row.
Those performances earned Telfer call-ups for the Lions Tours to New Zealand in 1966 and South Africa two years later, playing eight Tests in all.
And after his playing days were over, Telfer went into coaching, forming a renowned coaching partnership with Sir Ian McGeechan, both for Scotland and the Lions.
He was the head coach of the Lions team that toured New Zealand in 1983 but perhaps his finest moment came on the 1997 Lions Tour to South Africa as he coached the forwards who got the upper hand against the pack of the reigning world champions in a 2-1 series victory.
His ‘Everest’ speech prior to the first Test has gone down into Lions folklore as one of the iconic moments in the team’s history.
Carling, who captained England for a then world record 59 times, is also recognised after leading them during a dominant period in the 1990s, including winning four Grand Slams.
He toured with the Lions in 1993, making one Test appearance in the series in New Zealand.
The pair were recognised in the 150th anniversary of the first rugby match ever played between Scotland and England at Raeburn Place.
World Rugby Chairman and fellow Lion Sir Bill Beaumont said: “On behalf of World Rugby, I would like to congratulate our six Hall of Fame inductees, who did not just make their mark on the field of play, but who has played a significant role in advancing the sport.
“In this Olympic year, we are recognising those who have all played a significant role in cementing rugby as an Olympic sport. Their contributions should not be underestimated in terms of the global growth of rugby. We are also acknowledging the contributions of those who have left their mark on the oldest international fixture in the game.”
Fellow World Rugby Hall of Fame inductee and Chairman of the Hall of Fame panel John Eales said: “The 2021 inductees for the World Rugby Hall of Fame are representative of all that is good in our game. Each of them have been outstanding players in either sevens or 15s and they have also been important contributors to rugby, in their own countries and globally, off the field.
“As Chair of the selection panel, I am so proud that the World Rugby Hall of Fame is able to recognise such worthy inductees, who have inspired generations of rugby players and fans through their many noteworthy achievements.”
