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We take a look back at the last time the men in red ventured to the home of the All Blacks and ask – what happened to them? Let’s take a look at the men who started the first test in Christchurch, concluding with the rest of the forwards:
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5: Ben Kay
Lineouts weren’t a particular highlight for the Lions on their 2005 series, so it’s perhaps unsurprising that Ben Kay didn’t come out covered in glory. However, by the time of the 2007 World Cup, Kay’s name was so immovable from the England teamsheet that even the Daily Mail probably reported it accurately. He played in every minute of that tournament, though come 2008 he’d move into the role of the impact sub for England. At a club level, Kay kept Leicestershire trophy polishers in business, picking up two Heineken Cups and six Premiership titles (though did not feature at Twickenham in the final one). By 2010, Kay’s contract was coming to an end and with several new second rows coming through, Tigers declined to offer him a new one. Rather than pursue other playing offers, Kay joined the newly formed ESPN rugby commentary team before the transition to BT Sport. He’s since proven to be a more than capable analyst and presenter, and one of the few people who actually gets to tell Austin Healey to shut up.
6: Richard Hill
Something of an elder statesman of the squad, 2005 was Hill’s third tour with the Lions. He started the first test, but a knee injury in the first half put an end to the series for him, and in truth he never really shook the problem off. Hill switched back and forth between openside and blindside flanker with ease and was an ever-present under Clive Woodward for England, though by the time 2007 came around he had been relegated to the Saxons squad to add some experience to the developmental group. A stalwart for Saracens, “The Silent Assassin” was a key member of the side that laid the groundwork for the club’s current success, even if he never got to experience their glory years directly. Retiring in 2008, Hill is often spoken of as one of the greatest flankers of all time, though usually by contrary rugby connoisseurs wanting to prove they know more about the sport than you, like those who claim The Rolling Stones are better than The Beatles. After retiring, Hill remained with Saracens as an academy coach and worked in business development and community outreach for the club – though if that means he’s responsible for the hideous “Stand up for the Saracens” song I take back everything nice I said about him. He now works as England team manager.
7: Neil Back
Another of the old guard on the 2005 tour, Back was near enough ready to hang up his boots the second the plane touched down in Blighty. Synonymous with cliché talk of the “dark arts” of the back row, Back was probably one of the last players able to build a career on the back of brazen cheating before blanket TV coverage made such acts almost impossible to get away with. That’s not to suggest a lack of talent of course. Back’s fitness was legendary (though reports he “completed” the notorious beep test are unconfirmed) and he retired as one of the most decorated and respected players in history He remains Leicester Tigers’ all-time top try scorer. By the time he retired from playing in 2005, Back had already spent two years coaching with the Tigers, and transitioned into the role full time. He then became head coach of Leeds/Yorkshire Carnegie in 2008, though resigned after the club’s relegation in 2011. In the same year, he eschewed an offer from an unnamed Premiership club to take on the Director of Rugby position at “The Rugby Football Club Ltd” in National League 3 Midlands. Despite remaining unbeaten for the season, all was not well behind the scenes as the promised investment that had attracted the likes of Back to the unknown club never materialised. Back published his second autobiography “The Death of Rugby” as something of a tell-all about the scandal surrounding the club. He joined the Edinburgh coaching team in 2012 though left the following year after a disappointing run of form. He’s now an ambassador for several charities, works for a visual communications business and insurance broker, and spends his spare time winding up James Haskell on Twitter.
8: Martin Corry
Heavy of brow and dark of eye, Martin Corry always gave the vague impression he was playing rugby wearing more eyeliner than American Idiot era Green Day. Corry was promoted from vice-captain to full skipper after Brian O’Driscoll’s 2nd minute injury in the first test, though was demoted to the midweek team for the next match. Corry captained England under Andy Robinson, though with the arrival of Brian Ashton the armband was shifted to Phil Vickery. Corry retained his presence in the side until 2008, when he reportedly turned down a call-up to the Six Nations squad and retired from international rugby. An ever-present at Leicester Tigers during their all-conquering era, Corry retired in 2009 having won two Heineken Cups and five Premiership titles with the side. He had one last hurrah at Twickenham, skippering the Barbarians to victory over England before turning his hand to community work, after-dinner speaking and youth coaching in Leicestershire. In 2016 he was elected to the RFU council, replacing Richard Hill after the latter’s departure
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