Tigers retained the cup in 1979-80 beating Orrell (16–7), Moseley (17–7), London Scottish and Harlequins in the early rounds before beating London Irish 21–9 in the final at Twickenham in front of a record crowd of 27,000. 1979-80 also saw Tigers win the Midlands Merit Table for the first time with a record played 7 games and won 6 and provide four players in England's grandslam of 1980. Clive Woodward and Peter Wheeler were selected for the 1980 British Lions tour to South Africa, Paul Dodge joined them as an injury replacement and all three were selected for the third test defeat against the Springboks.