Chiefs will discuss staging Lions series on home soil as contingency plan
THE Lions playing their series against South Africa in the UK and Ireland is one of three contingency plans under consideration in case this summer’s tour is called off because of the coronavirus pandemic.
It is understood that the feasibility of a postponement until 2022 and pressing ahead with the current itinerary in South Africa but holding the games behind closed doors are also options being examined.
The outlook on the tour taking place as scheduled is looking increasingly bleak due to the escalating Covid-19 crisis.
Adding to the complexity of the dilemma facing the Lions are the new Kent and South Africa strains of the virus.
Lions managing director Ben Calveley confirmed on Saturday that talks are ongoing over the tour’s viability with a final decision due next month.
The board is gathering information and data to assess the feasibility of the schedule and the three alternatives, each of which come with drawbacks.
Holding an historic first Lions series in Britain and Ireland would enable the event to take place in its allotted window amid the prospect that fans would be able to attend Tests in venues such as Twickenham, the Principality Stadium and Aviva.
With vaccine programmes already under way, sizeable crowds could be a genuine option. But failing to leave these shores would strip the Lions of mystique and the against-all-odds spirit that makes their overseas quests such compelling viewing.
A postponement to 2022 would suit cash-strapped South Africa, but it is certain to be met with strong opposition from the home union’s head coaches.
Next year’s tours to the southern hemisphere are an important staging post 15 months out from the 2023 World Cup and losing them would be regarded as an unacceptable price to pay.
Still under examination is the tour unfolding in South Africa as planned, but with no fans from either nation able to attend.
South Africa’s vaccine programme is far behind the UK’S and with the tour looking increasingly unlikely to happen with each passing day, it may be a case of choosing the least worst option.