1888 Cup

Last updated
1888 Cup
Sport Rugby union
Instituted2021;4 years ago (2021)
HoldersFlag of Argentina.svg  Argentina (2025)

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]

Contents

As of 2025 the holders are Argentina, whom defeated the British & Irish Lions 24–28 at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin in June 2025. [4]

Results

No.TourDateVenueOpponentScoreWinnerAttendanceRef.
1Flag of South Africa.svg South Africa 26 June 2021 Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh (Scotland)Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 28–10British & Irish Lions16,500 [a] [7] [8]
2Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia 20 June 2025 Aviva Stadium, Dublin (Ireland)Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 24–28Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 51,700 [4] [9]

Notes

  1. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, stadium seated events in Scotland were allowed with restrictions on attendance numbers. [5] [6]

References

  1. 1 2 "Designers and Makers of the Vodafone Lions 1888 Cup". Thomas Lyte . Archived from the original on 19 April 2025.
  2. "The Phoenix Luxury Co. Ltd. T/A Thomas Lyte | Royal Warrant Holders Association". royalwarrant.org. Royal Warrant Holders Association. Archived from the original on 5 July 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  3. "Restorers of the Rugby World Cup – The Webb Ellis Cup". thomaslyte.com. Thomas Lyte. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  4. 1 2 Gault, Matt (20 June 2025). "Lions beaten by Argentina in pre-tour Dublin thriller". BBC Sport. Aviva Stadium: BBC. Archived from the original on 21 June 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  5. "Coronavirus (COVID-19): local protection levels - gov.scot". www.gov.scot. Archived from the original on 30 December 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  6. "Coronavirus (COVID-19): local protection levels - gov.scot". www.gov.scot. Archived from the original on 30 December 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  7. English, Tom (26 June 2021). "British & Irish Lions 28–10 Japan: Alun Wyn Jones injury mars routine warm-up win". BBC Sport . Murrayfield Stadium: BBC. Archived from the original on 3 July 2021.
  8. Calvert, Lee (27 June 2021). "British & Irish Lions 28–10 Japan: Jones injured in warmup win – as it happened". The Guardian . Guardian Media Group. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021.
  9. Thornley, Gerry (20 June 2025). "Lions left to rue missed chances as Argentina win in Dublin". The Irish Times . Archived from the original on 21 June 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.