Tom Richards Cup

The Tom Richards Cup, also known as the Tom Richards Trophy, was an international rugby union trophy awarded to the winner of British & Irish Lions–Australia test series. It was commissioned for the 2001 British & Irish Lions tour series and the inaugural winner was Australia, who won the series 2–1.^[1] This was the first time that Australia had managed to defeat the Lions in a series. Twelve years later, the Lions won the 2013 tour to Australia 2–1,^[2] making them the last holders of the trophy. The two teams' first meeting was in Australia in 1899 where they played a four-test series, won by the Lions 3–1.^[3]

Tom Richards Cup

Sport	Rugby union
Instituted	2001; 24 years ago (2001)[1]
Number of teams	2
Country	Australia British and Irish Lions
Holders	British and Irish Lions (2013[1])
Most titles	Australia British and Irish Lions (1 title)

Tom Richards played for both Australia and the British Lions.

Tom Richards is the only Australian-born player to have represented both the Wallabies and Lions.^[1] However, Blair Swannell, born in England, also represented the Lions (1899 & 1904) and Australia (1905). Richards took part in the Gallipoli campaign and for his efforts in France was awarded the Military Cross. In 1908 Richards played in the first Wallaby team to tour Britain and won the gold medal at the 1908 Olympic Games. In 1910 he represented the Lions as a replacement on their tour to South Africa while living in the country. In 1912 he was selected for the Wallaby tour to the United States and Canada.

Ahead of the British & Irish Lions' tour of Australia in 2025, it was reported by The Sydney Morning Herald that the Tom Richards Cup was retired.^[4] A new trophy established for the Lions' test series against South Africa, the Lions Series Trophy, would be its replacement, and would be contested between the Lions and all their traditional touring opponents (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa).^[5]

Results

Date and time		Venue	Home	Score	Away	Trophy winner
2013
6 July	20:00 AEST (UTC+10)	Stadium Australia, Sydney	Australia	16–41	British and Irish Lions
29 June	20:05 AEST (UTC+10)	Docklands Stadium, Melbourne		16–15
7 June	20:05 AEST (UTC+10)	Lang Park, Brisbane		21–23
2001
14 July	19:00 AEST (UTC+10)	Stadium Australia, Sydney	Australia	29–23	British and Irish Lions
7 July	19:00 AEST (UTC+10)	Docklands Stadium, Melbourne		35–14
30 June	19:00 AEST (UTC+10)	Brisbane Cricket Ground, Brisbane		13–29

Tom Richards Medal

Although the Tom Richards Cup would no longer be up for grabs for future Lions tours of Australia, a new medal in his honour was announced for the "Player of the Series" for the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour of Australia.^[4] Lions forward Tadhg Beirne was the first recipient of the medal, named Player of the Series following the Lions' 2–1 series win over Australia.^[6][7]

See also

• Sports portal
• Australia portal

• History of rugby union matches between Australia and the British & Irish Lions