Lions left in limbo by split over global fixture list

LIONS bosses are growing frustrated at the squabbling between clubs and countries because they are running out of time to arrange moving their South Africa tour to the autumn. Warren Gatland’s side are open to switching the trip to September next year, instead of July and August, to fit a new global structure. But sources have indicated the Lions still have no clarity on whether they will have to reschedule. A group of six chief executives from the Six Nations, SANZAAR, New Zealand, South Africa, Wales and the RFU’s Bill Sweeney have been tasked with creating a new global season structure and are meeting with club representatives and European Cup (EPCR) chief executive Vincent Gaillard today. EPCR will not budge from their proposed dates for either the conclusion of this year’s tournament in September and October or next season’s plan — a one-off 24-team tournament played over eight weekends from December 11 to May 22. So with the EPCR, the English Premiership and French Top 14 owners refusing to move, it is putting a huge strain on negotiations leaving the Lions in limbo. With 15,000 fans already registered to travel from the home nations, the Lions require a definitive call by the end of the month. ‘Now is the time to change,’ said a well-placed source. ‘The problem is World Rugby do not want to take on the clubs because they are worried, if it comes to an impasse, clubs will refuse to release players for Tests. ‘The club game is running the international game and it’s the international game that makes all the money and brings in sponsors.’ International game chiefs want to scrap summer tours and create a big Test window in the autumn, which would mean club competitions taking place in the summer. Domestic leagues in France and England will try to block that.