Lion No 644 Jason Leonard is a three times Lions tourist (1993, 1997 and 2001) and will bring both a player and an administrator’s perspective during his tenure as Chairman.

”I am honoured to be asked to be the Chairman of the British & Irish Lions and I look forward to working with my fellow Board members, former Lions and the Executive Team to make the 2021 Lions Tour to South Africa a success on and off the pitch," said Leonard.

"I am excited to build on the great work done by my predecessor Tom Grace and would like to thank him for his guidance and dedication over the last number of years.”

Leonard’s first taste of Lions action came on the 1993 Tour of New Zealand, part of a large England contingent in the pack, when he was selected for the second and third Tests.

But for the man who would later lift the Rugby World Cup and for a time boast the most international caps with 114, 1993 was just the beginning of his Lions involvement.

Leonard appeared off the bench in the first Lions Test of the historic series win in South Africa, doing the same against Australia in two Tests four years later in 2001.

The example he set on those tours served to push his teammates and front-row rivals to greater heights epitomising what makes a great tourist.

His experiences with Britain and Ireland’s elite paved the way for Leonard to make history with his country amidst a prolonged 14-year career, claiming a quartet of Grand Slams alongside his World Cup success in 2003.