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England coach Eddie Jones and the captains of the four local unions have said they want the British and Irish Lions’ tour of South Africa to continue this year rather than 2022.
The tour, scheduled from July 3 to August. 7, is questionable due to the COVID-19 pandemic which remains a crisis in South Africa and Britain, and various alternative scenarios are being discussed.
These include playing three tests against the Springboks in the UK and Ireland, or pushing matches back 12 months, which comes with its own complications with a full international schedule the year leading up to the next World Cup.
Welsh skipper Alun Wyn Jones, a veteran of three Lions tours, including their last trip to South Africa in 2009, has suggested that it would be difficult to find a date for the matches if they are not played as planned.
“I think it needs to move forward this year, but the jury is out on where it’s going to go,” he told reporters on Wednesday. “It would be a travesty if the fans weren’t able to go and see him. But from a captain’s perspective, I think we all agree that, if it’s possible, that should take place this year. “
His point of view was echoed by Stuart Hogg of Scotland who said: “Health and safety must be at the center of the decision.
“The Lions are an incredible time for everyone involved, players and supporters, so I hope the tour can continue into 2021 and we look forward to it.”
England’s Jones said postponing the dates to July 2022 would disrupt his World Cup preparations in France, but did not dismiss it as an option.
“We would take care of that if that happened and work on a different preparation,” Jones said. “That’s the challenge right now. I remember someone saying that clarity is the new intelligence. Few people are smart right now and we don’t have too much clarity.”
He added: “It gives our best players a wonderful experience of being coached by good coaches and playing with good players, and playing against the best countries in the southern hemisphere.
“It’s a huge advantage for the four home countries to have this experience to be able to tour with the best players from the British Isles, play together, learn from each other and have great experiences. Go ahead.”
Six Nations chief executive Ben Morel said they were taking a wait-and-see approach.
“I have enough challenges to focus on on my end, so I haven’t been involved in the Lions conversation, although I’m obviously very aware of the challenges they face,” he said. .
“I understand the difficult decisions that will have to be made and we will see relatively soon what is ultimately decided.”
South African rugby has said it will do “whatever it takes” to face the Lions this year or 2022 and is open to matches taking place in the UK.
A decision on the tour is expected before the end of February.
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