We need more time to prepare the 2025 Lions
The Rugby Paper|May 28, 2023
I WAS fortunate enough to go on two tours with the British & Irish Lions and then to be called up briefly for a third in 2013. They were incredible experiences, the final seal of approval on your career as an international player.
SHANE WILLIAMS
We need more time to prepare the 2025 Lions

Even when things didn’t go well on the field, it was always such a pleasure to mix and train with the best players from the UK and Ireland.

In 2005, we played 11 games in New Zealand having had a warmup game against Argentina in Cardiff. By 2009, when we went to South Africa, the tour dropped to 10 games without a warm-up match and in Australia in 2013 it was nine games with a run out against the Barbarians in Hong Kong.

The last Lions trip to New Zealand, in 2017, went up to 10 games, while there were only eight games on the Covid-hit tour to South Africa in 2021, with a warm-up game against Japan in Edinburgh. It has almost become a case of blink, and you’ll miss the Lions! I just wonder what it must have been like on the 1966 tour when they left in May, returned home in September and played 35 games in Australia, New Zealand and Canada? And that was in the amateur days when the players weren’t getting paid!

I’m not sure I would have been able to put up with some of my team-mates for that length of time, but the players on the modern-day tours are more akin to hired guns than tourists in the grand style of their predecessors.

There is little doubt the Lions are a cash cow for the southern hemisphere nations, just as the Autumn visits by the All Blacks, Wallabies and Springboks are in a reciprocal manner in the northern hemisphere.

Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin May 28, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin May 28, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

THE RUGBY PAPER DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
England can find a little bit of cheer
The Rugby Paper

England can find a little bit of cheer

SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.

time-read
3 dak  |
November 24, 2024
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
The Rugby Paper

Stop messing with Marcus - Campese

DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 24, 2024
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
The Rugby Paper

Being a Lion was the highlight of my career

I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.

time-read
6 dak  |
November 24, 2024
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
The Rugby Paper

Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half

THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 24, 2024
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
The Rugby Paper

Forwards pack a punch for the Reds

OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 24, 2024
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
The Rugby Paper

Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley

SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 24, 2024
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
The Rugby Paper

Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon

FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.

time-read
3 dak  |
November 24, 2024
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
The Rugby Paper

It's a whole new ball game for Rigg

WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 24, 2024
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
The Rugby Paper

Scarratt leads the way for Lightning

LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.

time-read
1 min  |
November 24, 2024
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
The Rugby Paper

Becconsall: We need to release pressure

WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 24, 2024