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.
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