Blair Swannell: The man behind the medal

13 hours ago

James Grant

BBC News, Northamptonshire

Blair Swannell will be honoured when the Lions face an invitational Australia and New Zealand side

The Lions A black and white photo of a man in a striped coat, jumper and rugby top. — Blair Swannell will be honoured when the Lions face an invitational Australia and New Zealand side

As the British and Irish Lions prepare for their summer tour of Australia, a new accolade will be introduced to honour one of rugby's historic figures. The player of the match will be awarded the Blair Swannell medal, named after the Northampton Saints back-row forward and war major who made his mark on and off the pitch. But who was he?

Blair Swannell (centre) enjoyed an international rugby career with the British and Irish Lions and Australia

The Lions A black and white photo of a man in a striped coat, jumper and rugby top standing between four other men, two on each side. — Blair Swannell (centre) enjoyed an international rugby career with the British and Irish Lions and Australia

Blair Swannell was born in Weston Underwood near Olney, Buckinghamshire, in 1875.

He played for Northampton Saints between 1896 and 1904, making 116 appearances.

The back row forward was one of only two players to have played international rugby for both the British and Irish Lions, and Australia.

Swannell was also the first Northampton Saints player to be selected for the Lions.

His Lions career included 17 games during the 1899 tour to Australia and 15 more during the 1904 tour of Australia and New Zealand.

After the 1904 tour, Swannell remained in Sydney to teach and coach rugby at St Joseph's College. He went on to play for Sydney District, Northern Suburbs and New South Wales.

A year later, Swannell was selected to play for the Wallabies in a match against New Zealand in Dunedin.

What was his military background?

Away from rugby, Swannell (centre) served in the military including the Australian Imperial Force during World War One

Australian War Memorial A black and white photo of five men in military uniforms at an army base looking at the camera. — Away from rugby, Swannell (centre) served in the military including the Australian Imperial Force during World War One

Blair Swannell's legacy stretches beyond rugby.

When World War One broke out, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force and served as a major.

Tragically, he was killed just 15 minutes after landing at Gallipoli in 1915, aged 39.

Gallipoli was not his first experience of war. He travelled twice to South Africa at the turn of the century to fight in the Boer War.

Blair Swannell (centre) became a major in the Australian army and was part of the 1st Battalion that landed at Gallipoli

Australian War Memorial Three men in military uniforms including high socks and wide brim hats, sit on a mound looking at the camera. — Blair Swannell (centre) became a major in the Australian army and was part of the 1st Battalion that landed at Gallipoli

Who will receive the medal?

The Blair Swannell player of the match will be awarded to the standout player in the fixture between the Lions and an invitational Australia and New Zealand side at the Adelaide Oval on 12 July.

The fixture serves as a curtain-raiser to the first of three Tests in this summer's Lions tour of Australia.

The first Blair Swannell player of the match medal will be issued to the top performer in the game in July

Getty Images A large red flag with the crest of the British Lions on it. — The first Blair Swannell player of the match medal will be issued to the top performer in the game in July

What have his family said?

Robert Swannell, the great nephew of Blair, said: "He was an extraordinary man... I couldn't be more thrilled [that the Lions] have come up with this suggestion.

"Blair Swannell's achievement of playing for both the Lions and Australia, as well as sharing the best winning Test record of any Lions player ever, is something that should be remembered and celebrated.

"We are grateful to both the Lions and Rugby Australia for this recognition, and as a family are excited to see one of the stars of the 2025 Tour be awarded a medal in Blair Swannell's honour."

Ben Calveley, chief executive of the British and Irish Lions, added: "Blair Swannell's legacy is an incredible part of our 137-year history and this medal is a fitting way to remember Blair's memory."

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