Pub, Pint and Pink - celebrating The Pink Lions Club

Mayfair is best known for Monopoly not Rugby Union. Walking from Green Park tube station towards the Ritz and turning left into Dover Street, London was at its glittering autumnal best. Walking along Dover Street crowds were amassed outside a pub and mingled with the crowd were former British & Irish Lions, Gavin Hastings, Scott Gibbs and Neil Back.

The pub was called The Pink Lion Rugby Club and we were invited to the bar to have a pint with the club captain, Brian O’Driscoll. Legendary fashion house, Thomas Pink were the creators of the pub and the Pink Lion Rugby Club. As official outfitters to the Lions they had created a unique environment for rugby union fans. The pub is actually known as The Clarence in Mayfair.

With a pint in hand we sat down with O’Driscoll to talk rugby union; so our first question had to be what were his favourite pubs close to the Aviva Stadium in his hometown, Dublin. He nominated The Bridge 1859 and Paddy Cullens. Talking about the 2017 tour and its coach, Warren Gatland he noted: “Warren has the pedigree and experience to lead the Lions down to New Zealand, and do what no side has managed since the early 70’s”

We were able to spend a good 20 minutes with O’Driscoll and we’ll share more of his rugby thoughts and ideas over the next seven weeks, here on TalkingRugbyUnion.

From one side of the bar to another with a fresh pint in hand we met up with Martin Bayfield to talk about modern day locks. It’s quickly becoming one of the glamour positions in international rugby; perhaps second only to fly half!! There might be one or two tight head props that claim they are in the greatest demand.

The pub was filling quickly with fans ready for a question and answer session with the former Lions who by now had been dressed by Thomas Pink and looked striking. There was one rather amusing moment as the Lions donned their jackets with pink thread across the shoulders. Apparently this was not a design feature and Thomas Pink’s CEO, Jonathan Heilbron, was quick to mobilise his team and the pink threads removed. Of greatest significance was the fact someone in the Thomas Pink Team was tall enough to reach Bayfield’s shoulders. He later confirmed what we were all thinking; “We intend to make sure that once again, The Lions remain the best dressed sports team in the world”

Back to the bar and a final pint in the best dressed pub in Mayfair. The night was young and the rugby banter was just starting. The first jibe aimed at Sale Sharks’ Mike Phillips.

The British & Irish Lions have a team around them and the Pink Lion Rugby Club allows fans to participate in the build up to the tour to New Zealand. Rugby union fans can register at www.pinklionrugbyclub.co.uk