Did Sean O'Brien score the greatest Lions try ever?

Everyone can agree the Lions’ first try on Saturday night was an absolute belter – but was it the greatest try in the long history of the Lions? Jamie Wall went looking for some competition.

Despite the 30-15 scoreline not going their favour, the British & Irish Lions can take one indisputable triumph from the first test. Sean O’Brien’s try at the end of the first half was easily the best of the tour, in fact it may end up being the try of the season.

Even though they took the loss, you can bet any fan in a red jersey would have boasted long into the night about how Liam Williams, Elliot Daly, Jonathan Davies and O’Brien embodied what the Lions should be all about: two Welshmen, an Englishman and an Irishman combining for some beautiful running rugby.

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But how does it stack up in the grand scheme of Lions history? Here’s a selection of classics from the past to compare:

2001: Brian O’Driscoll vs Wallabies

Although it features a massive knock-on / forward pass by the Irishman in the lead up, this classic is what people should be talking about when Brian O’Driscoll’s name gets mentioned – not his bloody shoulder. It was the knockout blow in a stunning first test win against the Aussies, who eventually pulled the series back from the brink in a thrilling third test.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2gy0sfFOFA

2009: Shane Williams vs Springboks

This series was gone by the time the two teams met in Johannesburg, but it didn’t stop the Lions putting in an inspired performance to win the final test 28-9. Riki Flutey, the first man to play both for and against the Lions, showed incredible skill to set up the prolific Welsh winger with a no-look pass.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbDZ-HkvmCw

1974: JJ Williams vs Springboks

This was the 1970s, when the knock on rule was given the sort of liberal ‘if it looks good it’s OK’ treatment that the NBA has for traveling before making a dunk. A 90 metre team try definitely fits that category.

https://youtu.be/x1eOyKyd5p0?t=2m39s

2013: George North vs Wallabies

Most remember George North’s fireman carry of Israel Folau as the defining moment of the Lions’ successful trip to Australia four years ago, however it was probably this effort that made more of a difference in the long run. And what a long run it was, 60 metres basically in a straight line and enough time to waggle his finger at a despairing Will Genia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L46Uzudj4Ds

1959: Malcolm Price vs All Blacks

The Lions scored four tries in this game and Welshman Malcolm Price bagged two of them. But they still lost, thanks to six penalties by Don Clarke. This one was a triumph of the lost art of dribbling, something that was already a bit dated even in the 1950s.

https://youtu.be/kalBoK-4U7M?t=10m2s