Special Sub-Topic: British Isles Rugby Heroes Click Here To Play: British Isles Rugby Heroes

Sometimes it seems the selectors do know best. This well known Irish international player was playing as an uncapped centre for Cork Constitution, when he was surprisingly chosen to play for Ireland at fullback. A position he graced for a number of seasons. Who was he?

Tom Kiernan. Thomas Joseph Kiernan, b. 7th January 1939. He was capped 54 times by Ireland (1960 - 1973) and also by the British Lions in 5 tests. He also was "unofficially" capped by the White Horse pub in Coychurch in a fun Sunday match against the Railway Inn pub in nearby Bridgend. He also had an impressive coaching career with both Munster and Ireland.

This well known Scottish and British Lions lock was the son of a Scottish international goalkeeper, and the younger brother of another Scottish Rugby Union forward. Who was he?

Gordon Brown. Gordon Lamont Brown b. 1st November 1947. A true sporting gentleman. He toured with the British Lions on 3 separate occasions (NZ 1971 & 1977, SA 1974) playing in 8 Tests. He was capped by Scotland 30 times (1969 - 1976). Uniquely, at the time, he replaced his injured brother Peter Brown (Captain of Scotland), during a match in 1970.

Though not the first nor last "thinking prop", he set immense standards as a player, captain, and tactician, for his beloved Ireland for whom he won 40 caps between 1962 and 1975. He was also a British Lion on the 1966 tour to Australia and New Zealand.

Ray McLoughlin. His playing abilities were unquestioned, but much of his coaching ideas, planning and strategic approaches were not fully recognised until much later. Raymond John McLoughlin born 24 August 1939, Ballinasloe, County Galway.

He represented Wales as a sprinter in the 1970 Commonwealth Games. As a winger he scored 12 tries for Wales in 30 consecutive matches between 1973 and 1979. Chosen for two British Lions Tours. Who was he?

J J Williams. JJ Williams born 1st April 1948, in Nantyffyllon Bridgend. Against the Springboks for the Lions, he scored two tries in two test matches to set a then world record.

Another "thinking prop", he was first capped by England in 1971, and he went on to become England's most capped prop before poor health ended his career.

Fran Cotton. Francis Edward Cotton born Wigan Lancashire 3rd January 1947. His father was an England Rugby League International. He later became a senior member of the England RU set up.

Overshadowed by Gareth Edwards in his early career, this unusually tall (for the time) scrum half, won a record number of Welsh youth caps over a three year period. He won 25 Welsh full caps between 1978 and 1985, as well as being chosen for two British Lions Tours in 1980 and 1983. Rugby League captured his services in 1985. Who is he?

Terry Holmes. Terence David Holmes born 10 March 1957, Cardiff. A terrific "ninth forward" scrum half and an aggressive and effective tackler. Injury curtailed his career.

Recalled to the Irish side against Engalnd in 1970, he turned up to training in a chauffeur driven Rolls-Royce. One of the early big strong running wings (he was a mere 6ft 2 in, the size of most second rows in those days), he won 28 caps for Ireland between 1955 and 1963.

Tony O'Reilly. He later became president of the Heinz Corporation.

A great thinker and one of the best coaches ever to coach the British Lions, though never his national Welsh side. His own playing career was in the shadow of the incomparable Cliff Morgan, and so he gained only two caps. There were no substitutes in those days. Who is he?

Caerwyn James. He proved his tactical brilliance with the 1971 Lions. He spent some time coaching the Italians at the embryonic stages of their emergence as a Rugby nation.

A free scoring England test cricketer, who was a double international for England also being capped as an outside half in 1956?

Mike Smith. He was also a double Blue at Oxford University at Cricket and Rugby. He was England Cricket Captain for 25 matches between 1963 - 1966.

Probably the most famous set of initials in the Rugby Union game. Who was an accomplished lawn tennis and squash player as well as being the most famous Welsh and British Lions full back of all-time?

JPR Williams. John Peter Rhys Williams born 2nd March 1949. Before Caps had the value of some eclipsed post war European country, he was the most capped Welsh player.