ENGLISH REVAMP THREATENS LIONS
THE British and Irish Lions are on a slippery slope as the new English domestic season extension threatens their competitive future.
The 130-year-old institution are the biggest losers of a structure for the next three seasons that was announced yesterday.
It was confirmed that the Lions tour to South Africa in 2021 will be reduced to eight matches over five weeks, down from 10 matches in six weeks. And there will be no extra training week between the Premiership final and the squad’s departure.
The club season will now run from mid-September to late June, with England tours in July and the Lions possibly stretching into August — meaning rugby could be played in every calendar month.
Celtic sources have indicated that the Pro14 will be more accommodating and will aim to allow Irish, Welsh and Scottish players to train with the Lions before the squad leaves for South Africa.
This raises the prospect of English players being disadvantaged when it comes to Lions selection. They will not have trained with their new team-mates for as long, with their extended domestic season set to end in late June.
But there will be guaranteed mid-season breaks and a mandatory five-week rest period between seasons, and Lions players will not be allowed to play for 10 weeks after a tour.
Also, in an attempt to reduce the workload, players will be permitted to play only 30 matches per season, down from 32.
Meanwhile, Danny Cipriani faces a disciplinary hearing in Paris today after being sent off for Gloucester against Munster on Saturday for a high tackle. He could face a six-week ban.
Alex Lozowski will miss England’s Test against South Africa on November 3 after his ban for charging dangerously into a ruck was pushed back a week. Originally, his two- week ban covered games against Lyon and Leicester. But since he was selected in the England squad and would be unavailable for the latter game, it was decided he should miss the Springboks Test instead.
Warren Gatland flew home to New Zealand yesterday after the death of his father and may miss Wales’ autumn opener against Scotland on November 3.