Tom Richards Cup

British and Irish Lions British and Irish Lions

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. 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.

Tom Richards is the only Australian-born player to have represented both the Wallabies and Lions. 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. 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).