Wallabies and Lions Legend Tom Richards Honoured with Player Of The Series Medal
The Rugby Club Foundation was proud to have our treasuered collection on show at the announcement of the creation of the Tom Richards Player of the Series Medal.
Please see Rugby Australia’s offical press release below.
June 27, 2025
Rugby Australia and The British & Irish Lions are proud to announce the creation of the Tom Richards Player of the Series Medal in recognition of the remarkable career of a Wallabies and Lions legend.
Born in 1882, Richards is the only Australian-born player to have represented both the Wallabies and Lions. England-born Blair Swannell is the only other player to have taken the field for Australia and the Lions.
Richards’ life and career outside of Test rugby was equally meritorious. A gold medallist for Australia at the 1908 London Olympics, Richards lived in the UK, South Africa, France and Australia before enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force. He was part of the first Gallipoli landing on April 25, 1915, was wounded in the Second Battle of Bullecourt in 1917 and was later awarded the Military Cross.
Richards was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2015.
The Wallabies and Lions competed for the Tom Richards Cup in 2001 and 2013. The Lions announced in 2021 they would play for a perpetual trophy across all series in which they compete, including the Wallabies, and have worked with Rugby Australia to ensure Richards’ remarkable legacy continues to be honoured with the Player of the Series medal.
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh said:
“Rugby Australia and the British and Irish Lions are delighted to honour the truly remarkable life and legacy of Tom Richards in the form of the Player of the Series Medal.
“Tom lived a life of courage and adventure, service and commitment which has inspired people from around the world for more than a century – and will continue to do so for centuries to come.
"On behalf of Rugby Australia, I would like to thank Tom’s family for allowing us to pay tribute to his enduring memory in the form of Tom Richards Player of The Series Medal, which will be awarded after the final Test between the Wallabies and Lions at Accor Stadium on August 2.”
The British & Irish Lions CEO Ben Calveley said:
“Tom Richards is an iconic Lion and Wallaby – so it is fitting that we came together to continue to honour his legacy.
“The British & Irish Lions extend our thanks to the Richards family for allowing us to facilitate this moment at the end of the Series.
“There is no doubt that the awarding of this medal, after what promises to be three incredibly tough Test matches, will be a memorable moment for fans and players alike.”
Jim Menck, Tom Richards’ grandson, said on behalf of the family:
“We are deeply honoured and immensely proud that the Player of the Series medal for the British and Irish Lions tour has been named in memory of Tom Richards.
“Tom’s legacy as a pioneering rugby player — the only Australian-born player to have represented both the Wallabies and the Lions — is a profound source of pride for our family.
“His extraordinary accomplishments on the rugby field, coupled with his courage and service during the First World War, make this recognition especially meaningful. Tom served at Gallipoli and was awarded the Military Cross for bravery, further underscoring the depth of his character and commitment.
“To see his name associated with such a prestigious honour is a fitting and deeply moving tribute to his life and enduring legacy in Rugby Union.
Rugby Australia and the Lions confirmed on Anzac Day that Blair Swannell would be honoured with the player of the match medal for the AUNZ Invitational XV match against the Lions at the Adelaide Oval on July 12.
The Blair Swannell Medal, presented by Qatar Airways, was announced on the 110th anniversary of Swannell’s death on the shores of Gallipoli on April 25, 1915 at the age of 39.
Rugby Australia thanks the 'Collection of The Rugby Club Foundation' for supplying Tom Richards’ Australian honour cap.
The 2025 British and Irish Lions Tour of Australia
Saturday 28 June: British & Irish Lions vs Western Force, Optus Stadium, Perth
Wednesday 2 July: British & Irish Lions vs Queensland Reds, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Saturday 5 July: British & Irish Lions vs New South Wales Waratahs, Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Sunday 6 July: Wallabies vs Fiji, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Wednesday 9 July: British & Irish Lions vs ACT Brumbies, GIO Stadium, Canberra
Saturday 12 July: British & Irish Lions vs AUNZ Invitational XV, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Saturday 19 July: British & Irish Lions v Wallabies (First Test), Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Tuesday 22 July: British & Irish Lions v First Nations & Pasifika XV, Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Saturday 26 July: British & Irish Lions v Wallabies (Second Test), Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Saturday 2 August: British & Irish Lions v Wallabies (Third Test), Accor Stadium, Sydney
