Posted January 16, 2021 at 8:15 p.m. – updated January 16, 2021 at 8:16 p.m.
Mathieu WARNIER
While the health crisis could again have consequences on the course of summer rugby tours, the president of the Australian Federation launched the idea of a tournament that would bring together, in particular, the XV of France and the British Lions and Irish.
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After giving up his trip to Argentina last summer, will the XV of France be able to organize its tour in Australia next July? Faced with recent developments in the health crisis, doubts are allowed as to the possibility for the European teams to join the Southern Hemisphere next July. A situation that could also call into question the traditional quadrennial tour of the British and Irish Lions, who are to play nine games in South Africa between June 26 and August 7. Faced with all these uncertainties, the Australian Rugby Federation (ARU) proposed an alternative through the voice of its president Hamish McLennan. The latter, in an interview with Financial Times, has proposed the organization of a tournament, like a “mini-World Cup”, on its soil by inviting prestigious selections to face the Wallabies.
McLellan: “If anyone else wants to come, that will be great! “
As the boss of the ARU specifies, the XV of France must come to play three test matches against the Wallabies on July 3, 10 and 17. But Hamish McLellan is willing to host other selections including… the British and Irish Lions. “If anyone else wants to come, that will be great! In Australia, we have a large population of British and Irish. There are also a lot of South Africans, assures the boss of Australian rugby. We are open to the idea of creating a new competition, to allow the international calendar to continue. In addition, such a tournament would attract the greed of potential investors including… CVC Capital Partners, which will take a stake in the 6 Nations Tournament, and Silver Lake, interested in investing in the All Blacks. ” I actually had the opportunity to discuss this with senior executives from CVC, Silver Lake but also other investment funds., says Hamish McLellan. These discussions were very constructive. “A tournament which could then see the Blues face the British and Irish Lions for the first time, an idea which could appeal to Fabien Galthié and the FFR.
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