Historic Meeting of Descendants of Dual‑International Players During Lions Tour

Historic Meeting of Descendants of Dual‑International Players During Lions Tour

In a deeply moving and symbolic moment of rugby history, descendants of two exceptional dual‑international players—Major Blair Inskip Swannell and Lieutenant Thomas James Richards—gathered at the Australian War Memorial during the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour of Australia. It was a profound celebration of shared legacy and connection more than a century after their forebears represented both the Wallabies and the British Isles.

The Players and Their Unique Legacy

Blair Swannell, born in Buckinghamshire in 1875, toured with the British Isles (now Lions) in 1899 and again in 1904. He remained in Sydney, later representing Australia in a Test match—a rare feat that positioned him as one of only two men to earn caps for both the Lions and the Wallabies. After a distinguished rugby career, Swannell joined the Australian infantry during WWI and was killed on April 25, 1915, during the Gallipoli landings.

Tom Richards, originally from New South Wales, also holds dual‑international status. He played for Australia during their 1908 UK tour and joined the British Isles for their 1910 tour of South Africa—again an extraordinary crossover. Richards was a prolific diarist, and his recordings offer vivid reflections on Swannell’s passing at Gallipoli.

The Meeting: From Centuries Past to Present Connection

At a commemorative ceremony at the Australian War Memorial, Robert Swannell, great‑nephew of Blair, met with Paul Menck, a descendant of Tom Richards. This historic encounter bridged over a century of distance and memory. Robert had traveled from London specifically for the occasion—to meet Richards’ family, view the Archive’s displays, and witness a shared history finally being honoured side by side.

During the gathering, excerpts from Richards’ war diaries were shared—including poignant passages about Swannell’s death:

> “Poor B. I. Swannell is dead several days ago… with all his faults etc. was quite all right,” Richards wrote.

These writings had previously reached Robert Swannell when the family discovered that Rugby Australia mistakenly recognized only Richards as a dual international; Swannell himself had to campaign to have his great‑uncle’s legacy properly acknowledged. Eventually, the idea to name a medal in Blair’s honour was embraced.

Commemoration on Tour: Blair Swannell Medal

A key result of Swannell’s efforts was the naming of the Player of the Match medal at an invitational Australia‑New Zealand XV game on July 12, 2025, after Blair Swannell. It served as a symbolic step in righting historical erasure and placing him alongside Tom Richards in rugby lore.

Significance for Rugby & Cultural Memory

This event resonates far beyond the simple familial reunion. Swannell’s great‑nephew’s advocacy not only rectified a record but also highlighted how sport and memory intersect with national identity and military sacrifice.

Rugby traditionalists have celebrated the act of honouring both uniquely qualified individuals—Swannell, the English‑born forward transplanted to Australia, and Richards, the NSW native who later switched allegiance. Both took part in the Lions program of their time, forging an unsung bond across eras.

The fact that these two families, once separated by borders and time, were able to stand together at the national memorial is both moving and rare—a testament to how rugby’s legacy continues to inspire.

A Living Legacy

Robert Swannell shared how meaningful it was to finally meet Paul Menck in person and to stand in the memorial where his ancestor’s story is etched. Richards’ descendants, for their part, welcomed the meeting as recognition of shared history and mutual respect.

With the first Lions Test already played on July 19, where the Lions prevailed 27–19 in Brisbane, this meeting lent deeper significance to the tour beyond sport. The shared recognition of Swannell and Richards reflects a human element to international rugby—legacy, memory, and reconciliation through shared stories.

—

Why It Matters

It highlights historical dual‑representation, with only two men achieving the rare feat of playing for both the Lions and Wallabies.

It underscores responsible historical correction, as Robert Swannell successfully campaigned to restore his great‑uncle to rightful place in rugby history.

It reflects a broader theme: rugby’s ability to unite people, across generations, through memory and respect.

In an era dominated by modern professional dynamics, this encounter served as a poignant reminder of rugby’s soulful heritage—and the human stories behind the sport’s early pioneers.