A hell of a job: why the Lions selection process is almost as tough as the tour

The particulars of the selection and announcement of the Lions squad may have changed a bit since 1888, but the tension players and selectors feel has enduredSuffice it to say the process of Lions selection has changed over the years. The first tour in 1888 was dreamt up by three cricketers and was on the whole comprised of players from northern England looking to make a few quid. One of them, Jack Clowes, was even banned from playing any of the matches by the RFU for accepting a generous £15 kit allowance on the eve of the tour – he spent eight months away without officially playing a game. R…