<P> The earliest tours date back to 1888 , when a 21 - man squad visited Australia and New Zealand . The squad drew players from England , Scotland and Wales , though English players predominated . The 35 - match tour of two host nations included no tests , but the side played provincial , city and academic sides , winning 27 matches . They played 19 games of Australian rules football , against prominent clubs in Victoria and South Australia , winning six and drawing one of these ( see Australian rules football in England ) . </P>
<P> The earliest tours date back to 1888 , when a 21 - man squad visited Australia and New Zealand . The squad drew players from England , Scotland and Wales , though English players predominated . The 35 - match tour of two host nations included no tests , but the side played provincial , city and academic sides , winning 27 matches . They played 19 games of Australian rules football , against prominent clubs in Victoria and South Australia , winning six and drawing one of these ( see Australian rules football in England ) . </P>
when was the first lions tour in nz
when was the first lions tour in nz
1888
1888