Divided rugby parties must form united front to tackle complex fixture issues – David Kelly,

IF SPORT indeed mirrors life, it cannot escape its privations. Nor, indeed, the extraordinary efforts required to adapt and survive. And, some day, hopefully thrive once more. The pandemic has irreparably destroyed so many of our favourite social present times and also our favourite sporting past-times.

From the Olympics to the Euros, postponements of a year, perhaps even two, have been necessary – both behemoths must decide sooner rather than later whether 2021 staging is possible. Weekly, daily even, games and tournaments are being suspended or cancelled.

Rugby, too, as it grapples with domestic and continental disruption, must attempt to co-ordinate ever-altering schedules and timetables.

Prevailing signals are not favourable, as highlighted by the contrasting attitude of administrators, from the English Premiership, who have abandoned the next fortnight’s play, to the Top 14 in France, who have not.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Six Nations will plough on past all moral and medical quandaries, albeit here the French government are leading the running, confirming that their country’s opening fixture against Italy can go ahead but demanding assurances before they complete their programme.

France host the 2023 World Cup and with its government now calling the shots, the “relaxed” head of French rugby, Bernard Laporte, knows that much of what happens in French rugby before then will be outside his control.

For when public health policy and rugby administrators clash, there is only going to be one winner.

In 2020, plans to stage the Rugby Championship in its usual format were abandoned; first, by the withdrawal of the world champions. Then, the strict adherence by NZ PM Jacinda Ardern to her country’s quarantine protocols meant the tournament had to be staged in Australia.

The last Six Nations faced similar disruption, pre-empted by a Government decree here which barred Italy’s international team from entering this country in March.

This was a decision which, initially at least, seemed to contradict the wishes of the IRFU who were then perhaps as surprised as the rest of us when subsequently a horde of Italian fans still managed to travel here even though their rugby team had not.

A reminder that while public policy remains the primary dictator of what is the right thing to do, even this is not at all infallible.

Like the Rugby Championship, the Six Nations was eventually completed, with little fanfare and even less entertainment. Few cared as merely having any sport to watch at all seemed such blessed relief.

It remains to be seen whether 2021 will see such disruption.

There is an elephant in the room too. Or rather, a Lion. Thousands and thousands of them, in fact, as the Lions tour is as much, if not more, about the supporters and their wallets than it is the players.

Any trip to South Africa is now an anathema, let alone one involving thousands of people from a variety of nationalities, trampling up and down a continent to watch rugby.

Of course, everyone knows this but few are willing to concede defeat despite the incontrovertible evidence that a Lions tour of recognisable construction is an impossibility.

The haste in which rugby authorities can concoct a new tournament – hello Rainbow Cup – will not be matched by a decisive response when it comes to addressing the uncertainty of 2021’s behemoth.

Those in charge of the Lions are determined not to make a final decision until February, a monthlong delay which is unnecessary and smacks of Olympian self-importance.

There are suggestions, emanating from this sense of smug superiority, no doubt, which have mooted

proposals including staging fixtures on these islands. Any such conjecture should be muted.

Postponement is the obvious option but this would require a selfless buy-in from everyone – particularly as the World Cup will be affected. And wallets.

Ireland has skin in this game; and not just because, from previous evidence of their attendance at World Rugby meetings, the IRFU have had little interest in preserving the sanctity of the Lions and can be accused of sitting on their hands as the Lions concept becomes more squeezed.

The IRFU did not raise a whisper in 2017 when they sat around the table when yet more matches and days were selfishly shaved off the Lions tour schedule. A reminder that it is everyone for themselves.

In that spirit, don’t be surprised to see a few solo runs in the desperate scramble for solution; this selfishness might unwittingly provide one. Ireland are due to tour New Zealand in 2022 and without a Lions tour, there will be a huge hole to fill.

One possibility is to ask the Kiwis to push back their dates with Italy and Fiji and bring the three-Test series with Ireland forward by 12 months.

Who knows? If there truly is a global commitment to calendar co-ordination, all other tours could also be switched. And, in a time when we are unsure whether rugby will be played next weekend, never mind next summer, this can allow everyone the chance to schedule the Lions tour properly. Whenever that can be.

But with England, France and the home unions this week unveiling three different solutions to the same problem, don’t hold your breath.

There is always a way. Finding a will is the difficult part.

The Lions tour is as much, if not more, about supporters and their wallets than it is the players