Sport | Rugby union |
---|---|
Instituted | 2021 |
Holders | ![]() |
The 1888 Cup is a men's rugby union trophy contested ahead of each quadrennial British & Irish Lions tour. First played for in a 2021 warm-up fixture for the British & Irish Lions' tour of South Africa, the trophy is challenged for between the Lions and a nation outside the traditional touring trio of Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. The trophy is named after the year (1888) of the first British & Irish Lions tour to Australia and New Zealand. [1] The trophy was designed and crafted by Thomas Lyte, [1] a renowned British silversmith and goldsmith and royal warrant holder to King Charles III. [2] [3]
As of 2025 the holders are Argentina, whom defeated the British & Irish Lions 24–28 at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin in June 2025. [4]
No. | Tour | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Winner | Attendance | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | 26 June 2021 | Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh (Scotland) | ![]() | 28–10 | British & Irish Lions | 16,500 [a] | [7] [8] |
2 | ![]() | 20 June 2025 | Aviva Stadium, Dublin (Ireland) | ![]() | 24–28 | ![]() | 51,700 | [4] [9] |