Do the British & Irish Lions sing a national anthem? They did once and it was awful
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Do the British & Irish Lions sing a national anthem? Well, in May 2005, the British & Irish Lions faced Argentina at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium in a rare home warm-up match before their ill-fated New Zealand tour.
Competition: Get a Chance to Watch the Lions in Australia
It was supposed to be a celebratory send-off, but instead, it ended in a stuttering 25-25 draw against a depleted Pumas outfit.
The game – later granted full test status by the IRB – was described as "a bit of a wake-up call" and set the tone for a disastrous few months ahead for Sir Clive Woodward’s side.
Do the British & Irish Lions sing a national anthem. Enter: The Anthem Nobody Asked For
In a bid to make history, Woodward didn't just bring 44 players on tour — he brought music. The coach commissioned a brand-new Lions anthem, titled "The Power of Four", composed by Neil Myers. It was intended to be a rousing, unifying anthem for the four home nations.
Performed live for the first (and only) time by Welsh opera star Katherine Jenkins before the Argentina game, it was supposed to stir emotions and spark togetherness.
The Reaction? Total Silence
Instead, fans barely noticed. The anthem completely failed to land. Supporters forgot it existed almost immediately, and on the pitch, the players showed zero interest. During performances, not a single player sang along. Not one.
The idea was quietly shelved after the New Zealand tour — never to return. Despite Woodward's best intentions, The Power of Four became a footnote in Lions history.
What Was It Actually Like?
Musically, the anthem wasn't awful — but it wasn't memorable either. It tried to blend classical gravitas with inspirational lyrics about unity and strength. Unfortunately, it lacked the fire and familiarity that fans associate with iconic rugby anthems.
Critics described it as dull and uninspiring. And without national identity behind it, it had no emotional pull.
Dan Biggar names bold Lions XV – with big England omissions
The 112-cap fly-half, who steered Wales through some of their finest Six Nations and World Cup moments, appeared on Jim Hamilton's podcast this week and revealed his Lions dream team. Spoiler alert: there’s no room for the likes of Owen Farrell, Johnny Sexton, or even himself.
Here's how Biggar's team shaped up…
Front-row firepower: Porter, Sheehan & Furlong
1. Andrew Porter
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong
It's an all-Irish affair in the front row, with Biggar backing Leinster’s dominant trio to boss the scrum. Furlong remains the Rolls-Royce of tightheads, while Sheehan and Porter provide dynamism in the loose.
Big boys in the boiler room: Itoje & Beirne
4. Maro Itoje
5. Tadhg Beirne
England's Maro Itoje gets the nod despite some inconsistent recent form, with Biggar clearly still valuing his disruptive brilliance. He's paired with the ever-reliable Beirne – a turnover machine and Lions Test starter in 2021.
Breakdown beasts: Curry, Van Der Flier & Doris (c)
6. Tom Curry
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris (captain)
This back row is pure chaos – in the best possible way. England's Tom Curry returns to the fray, Ireland's Van der Flier adds World Player of the Year pedigree, and Doris, who's fast becoming a modern-day great, takes the armband. A fearless choice.
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