If Ireland (Eire) is a republic then technically how can its national rugby players be eligible for the British Lions side ? I can understand players from Nth Ireland being allowed because they are part of the UK but isn't it a bit misleading to include a republic with Britain as a team ? After all Nth Ireland compete as a country at the Commonwealth games and Ireland doesn't so why the special dispensation for its rugby players ? If the argument is that 100 years ago the Irish national side was part of the 4 home unions before it became a republic then why cant French players be included in Lions sides aswell ?If Ireland (Eire) is a republic then technically how can its national rugby players be eligible for the British Lions side ? I can understand players from Nth Ireland being allowed because they are part of the UK but isn't it a bit misleading to include a republic with Britain as a team ? After all Nth Ireland compete as a country at the Commonwealth games and Ireland doesn't so why the special dispensation for its rugby players ? If the argument is that 100 years ago the Irish national side was part of the 4 home unions before it became a republic then why cant French players be included in Lions sides aswell ?

The answer is that Irish players have always been part of Lion's squads, dating back to before Irish Free State hived off from the United Kingdom. The relevant national Unions were sensible enough not to let politics interfere with a great rugby tradition. Your question on the inclusion of French players misses the mark. Unlike players based in the geographic Republic of Ireland, French players have never been part of the Lion's tradition.