Lions 2021 to be played in the UK?

[assfly]

I don’t know how true it is but part of the argument was that the Union desperately needs the income from full stadiums and travelling support. He even suggested that the home unions extend loans to SA to get them through the next year if it is postponed.

Yes that' my understanding too. Bird in the hand worth two in the bush? Tough call. Depends on whether SARU can survive until next year.

[OomStruisbaai]

https://www.news24.com/sport/rugby/brit ... s-20210301

[average joe]

Ja, that wont be too great for the country as a whole. Lions tours brings in a lot of Pounds for the host nation, if it's played in the UK we wont see any of that.

[FalseBayFC]

Must be done. I think it will be great. Like Escape to Victory where the Lions are the German Football team and we're the plucky POW's.

We seriously need that cash. The TV rights and hopefully our share of ticket sales would be substantial.

[assfly]

Ja, that wont be too great for the country as a whole. Lions tours brings in a lot of Pounds for the host nation, if it's played in the UK we wont see any of that.

I'm sure SARU will only agree to it based on a reasonable revenue share.

Ticket prices will fetch much more than in SA and the UK public have been starved of live rugby. I reckon they could comfortably sell out all games at a high price.

Would be interesting to see how they integrate the SA teams playing in the Rainbow Cup to play against the Lions.

[average joe]

Ja, that wont be too great for the country as a whole. Lions tours brings in a lot of Pounds for the host nation, if it's played in the UK we wont see any of that.

I'm sure SARU will only agree to it based on a reasonable revenue share.

Ticket prices will fetch much more than in SA and the UK public have been starved of live rugby. I reckon they could comfortably sell out all games at a high price.

Would be interesting to see how they integrate the SA teams playing in the Rainbow Cup to play against the Lions.

What is made from the games themselves is a pittance compared to what is injected into the economy through tourism. If it's played in the UK we lose out on what the visiting supporters would have spent on lodging, food, drink and recreation.

[Slick]

Ja, that wont be too great for the country as a whole. Lions tours brings in a lot of Pounds for the host nation, if it's played in the UK we wont see any of that.

I'm sure SARU will only agree to it based on a reasonable revenue share.

Ticket prices will fetch much more than in SA and the UK public have been starved of live rugby. I reckon they could comfortably sell out all games at a high price.

Would be interesting to see how they integrate the SA teams playing in the Rainbow Cup to play against the Lions.

What is made from the games themselves is a pittance compared to what is injected into the economy through tourism. If it's played in the UK we lose out on what the visiting supporters would have spent on lodging, food, drink and recreation.

I agree. I think it's a terrible idea. There is no way we will have full capacity stadiums by then and all it takes is an oubreak a la France and the whole thing is fucked.

Leave it for a year.

[Jock42]

I'm sure SARU will only agree to it based on a reasonable revenue share.

Ticket prices will fetch much more than in SA and the UK public have been starved of live rugby. I reckon they could comfortably sell out all games at a high price.

Would be interesting to see how they integrate the SA teams playing in the Rainbow Cup to play against the Lions.

What is made from the games themselves is a pittance compared to what is injected into the economy through tourism. If it's played in the UK we lose out on what the visiting supporters would have spent on lodging, food, drink and recreation.

I agree. I think it's a terrible idea. There is no way we will have full capacity stadiums by then and all it takes is an oubreak a la France and the whole thing is fucked.

Leave it for a year.

Yeah it's not a tour if its here. I would have taken a UK 'tour' over no tour whatsoever but by next year we should be all good to go, hopefully with me there.

[ASMO]

If there is no option due to logistics and scheduling for it to be played in the UK, then the Saffers should get at least 50% of any profit made, i would argue for 75%

[SaintK]

If there is no option due to logistics and scheduling for it to be played in the UK, then the Saffers should get at least 50% of any profit made, i would argue for 75%

Whilst I agree, I'm not sure that would be in the gift of the Lions.
Should imagine that there would have to be some major negotiations with the the 4 Unions involved in staging the matches as to how much they cover the costs of putting on those matches and how match day profits (bars and food in particular) are disbursed

[OomStruisbaai]

It will be fantastic if they play in the UK with midweek matches.

Remember the old Springbok tours in the UK.

I predicted when lockdown started that long tours is the way forward.

Should be a honor for the Springboks to be part of such a fantastic concept.

[Ovals]

I'm not a huge fan of the Lions - but they could make a UK based series quite profitable. The Lions and SA could play Japan, Baa Baas, and the home nations (less their Lions, of course) for warm up/dirt trackers matches - there'd still be big crowds for those - with plenty of money to be made. And the home nations would get to try out some fringe players.

The chances of any of the Home nations being able to do summer tours this year are remote - so a few games v the Lions would help.

[Jock42]

I'm not a huge fan of the Lions - but they could make a UK based series quite profitable. The Lions and SA could play Japan, Baa Baas, and the home nations (less their Lions, of course) for warm up/dirt trackers matches - there'd still be big crowds for those - with plenty of money to be made. And the home nations would get to try out some fringe players.

The chances of any of the Home nations being able to do summer tours this year are remote - so a few games v the Lions would help.

Now that would be interesting

[Sandstorm]

BaaBaas fucked up their last fixture during lockdown, no chance they'll get another run so soon.

[Ovals]

BaaBaas fucked up their last fixture during lockdown, no chance they'll get another run so soon.

TBH - they were an afterthought on my part - I was just trying to think of teams that could provide suitable opposition and would attract a reasonable crown - obviously there's also the Regions/Clubs but they might not have such a broad audience.

They could also bring France and Italy over for a game - I'm sure France would love to play the Lions and SA.

[Slick]

BaaBaas fucked up their last fixture during lockdown, no chance they'll get another run so soon.

TBH - they were an afterthought on my part - I was just trying to think of teams that could provide suitable opposition and would attract a reasonable crown - obviously there's also the Regions/Clubs but they might not have such a broad audience.

They could also bring France and Italy over for a game - I'm sure France would love to play the Lions and SA.

Maybe pencil in France for the last game?

[Sandstorm]

BaaBaas fucked up their last fixture during lockdown, no chance they'll get another run so soon.

TBH - they were an afterthought on my part - I was just trying to think of teams that could provide suitable opposition and would attract a reasonable crown - obviously there's also the Regions/Clubs but they might not have such a broad audience.

They could also bring France and Italy over for a game - I'm sure France would love to play the Lions and SA.

Leicester B might be too much for Boks again.

[assfly]

Boks to play the USA in a warm up to the Lions tour

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/the-iden ... -usa-gold/

[JM2K6]

Well, I'm glad they've chosen a team from a country that's got the virus under control.

[Sandstorm]

Well, I'm glad they've chosen a team from a country that's got the virus under control.

Hancock must be running the warm-up schedule.

[assfly]

Well, I'm glad they've chosen a team from a country that's got the virus under control.

To be fair, most of their players are in Europe already.

[Line6 HXFX]

The lions are the pinnacle of the sport, and must go ahead regardless.

I will be devestated otherwise.

Devestated.
The Union is on shakey ground and not picking or acknowledging some flakey scottish full back , who needs his hair glued on every two weeks might throw the whole thing into jeopardy.

Harry Tindal and Wills and all the establishment figures in England who married into or inherited everything they own, need to show they are down with the people who want to lick their arses and tug their own forlocks till they reverse anally prolapse out of their mouths.. gawdammit.

[Sandstorm]

The lions are the pinnacle of the sport, and must go ahead regardless.

I will be devestated otherwise.

Devestated.
The Union is on shakey ground and not picking or acknowledging some flakey scottish full back , who needs his hair glued on every two weeks might throw the whole thing into jeopardy.

Harry Tindal and Wills and all the establishment figures in England who married into or inherited everything they own, need to show they are down with the people who want to lick their arses and tug their own forlocks till they reverse anally prolapse.. gawdammit.

I thought you were off the booze?

[SaintK]

Australia definitely a no

The fate of the British & Irish Lions tour this summer remains up in the air with a final decision having been deferred until next week. Lions officials, however, have ruled out any prospect of relocating the tour to Australia, and shifting it to the UK and Ireland will only happen if the government agrees to underwrite any potential losses in the event of another Covid-19 surge.
Until now staging the tour behind closed doors in South Africa in July and August had been viewed as a last resort but organisers may yet be left with little other option. Holding the matches in empty stadiums would be a passion killer on many fronts but it would enable the three-Test series to proceed as originally scheduled.

[boere wors]

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/gove ... -wf2s5f0z2

"A bid by the British & Irish Lions for financial guarantees from the government for a home series against South Africa has won backing from ministers..."

Looking more and more likely. Have to say, a four Test series with games at Twickenham in London, Murrayfield in Edinburgh, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and the Aviva Stadium in Dublin would be epic!

[Sandstorm]

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/gove ... -wf2s5f0z2

"A bid by the British & Irish Lions for financial guarantees from the government for a home series against South Africa has won backing from ministers..."

Looking more and more likely. Have to say, a four Test series with games at Twickenham in London, Murrayfield in Edinburgh, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and the Aviva Stadium in Dublin would be epic!

Dublin is filthy, full of Covid and no sign of any vaccines. Better to play it in Belfast.

[Slick]

I think all international teams should move to the UK. They could be adopted by a town or city, perhaps on an ex pat population basis.

WR rugby could then charge top rate for tickets, easy money for TV and advertising, cut down on costs like travel and set up a league system that plays 365 days of the year.

[Sandstorm]

I think all international teams should move to the UK. They could be adopted by a town or city, perhaps on an ex pat population basis.

WR rugby could then charge top rate for tickets, easy money for TV and advertising, cut down on costs like travel and set up a league system that plays 365 days of the year.

In stadiums that only hold 4500 fans?

[Slick]

I think all international teams should move to the UK. They could be adopted by a town or city, perhaps on an ex pat population basis.

WR rugby could then charge top rate for tickets, easy money for TV and advertising, cut down on costs like travel and set up a league system that plays 365 days of the year.

In stadiums that only hold 4500 fans?

This is a permanent move for the good of rugby

[Uncle fester]

Lions to become a Tory political football?

[JM2K6]

Lions to become a Tory political football?

Can see that backfiring when Gatland picks zero Scots in his Test XV

[Uncle fester]

Oh big time

[Slick]

Lions to become a Tory political football?

Can see that backfiring when Gatland picks zero Scots in his Test XV

Quite!

[Un Pilier]

I'm not a huge fan of the Lions - but they could make a UK based series quite profitable. The Lions and SA could play Japan, Baa Baas, and the home nations (less their Lions, of course) for warm up/dirt trackers matches - there'd still be big crowds for those - with plenty of money to be made. And the home nations would get to try out some fringe players.

The chances of any of the Home nations being able to do summer tours this year are remote - so a few games v the Lions would help.

Now that would be interesting

Yes. I’d pay to see that.

[assfly]

The idea is warming on me more and more. Yes, not a traditional Lions tour but nothing has been normal for so long now.

I just hope they still play the Bulls, Sharks, Lions, etc.

[Yr Alban]

Lions to become a Tory political football?

Can see that backfiring when Gatland picks zero Scots in his Test XV

Quite!

Jesus Christ, their desperation is palpable. News flash: Irish players still get picked for the Lions, despite Ireland having left the UK a century ago.

[assfly]

Leaked Lions SA tour schedule:



Can't verify authenticity but it's doing the rounds.

[OomStruisbaai]

Thanks for that AF. Hope SA A get more matches. Lot of cost to get them there for only one.

[Jerome_Kaino]

Thanks for that AF. Hope SA A get more matches. Lot of cost to get them there for only one.

I think they will have to go over with 40ish players anyway because of quarantine etc., they probably cannot fly in extra players that easily. Also RSA A could be filled with some players playing in Europe already.

[JM2K6]

Have to say I'd convinced myself that the idea of the summer tours being replaced by Lions-free national sides playing against the Lions was the best/most exciting option. If this is the reality then it's all a bit meh.