Whoever is chosen to captain the British & Irish Lions in 2017 will have one simple aim – to emulate John Dawes.
That is because Dawes holds a special place in Lions history, as the only man to date to skipper the tourists to a series victory in New Zealand.
The Welsh centre, who made his international debut in 1964, was picked by head coach and countryman Carwyn James to lead the Lions against the All Blacks in 1971.
And he did so in historic fashion, as the tourists clinched the four-match Test series 2-1 in dramatic fashion.
Following a 9-3 Lions triumph in Dunedin, New Zealand levelled things up in Christchurch with a 22-12 win.
The pendulum swung once again in the Lions’ favour, securing a 13-3 victory in Wellington to ensure the series would not be lost.
However, Dawes and co would go one better as a nerve-jangling 14-14 draw at Eden Park denied the All Blacks a share of the spoils to complete thrilling series.
If returning to these shores having beaten the mighty All Blacks was not enough, Dawes would go on coach Wales for a hugely successful five-year spell.
During that time he also returned to New Zealand in 1977 as coach of the British & Irish Lions, though Dawes was unable to recreate that winning feeling.
Still, the man from Abercarn will always have his place in the history books as a pioneer and a Lions legend.
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