The future of the much-loved Lions
competitive; if they are, people will always go. In 2005 they were not competitive. To ensure that they are, there needs to be some planning and leeway. The point should be made: Here is a window every four years that has been allocated for the Lions and their preparation, as well as their tour.
What do I think should happen in terms of the season’s structure? I would change the season in a Lions year. Would it be so bad if the Premiership and Pro12 were different just for two years in four (it obviously also has to be different in World Cup years)? There must be a way of playing fewer games.
Maybe you could have a play-off at the end of the season involving eight teams rather than four as
The Lions are such a big business. If the administrators can’t see that, they are small-minded
there currently are. Possibly there could be a split after all teams have played each other once into odd and even conferences with a Grand Final to finish. Or you could just remove or reshape other competitions to get to a 24-game season, with some financial balance from the Lions.
There are ways, I am sure, with discussion and open minds. You never know, people might like it; it might throw up some different ideas. All you need is for the season to finish two weeks earlier and for maybe something to be put in place so that the Lions players can rest a little longer after the tour.
It could be as simple as shifting the beginning and end of the season by two to four weeks, and the Lions Board getting agreement from the southern hemisphere that the tour can start a week later. It will not cost anyone anything because the finances will be covered by the Lions tour. With new contracts to be settled for 2021, that represents a huge opportunity. Everyone will benefit. The Lions are such a big business that they should be paying for the time it takes to prepare. And preparation is everything. Everybody involved has got to change the season.
It is so important for players, coaches, fans, media and sponsors – it is just simply massive. If the administrators cannot see that then they are small-minded people. They have to recognise the great respect for the Lions in New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. It is something that Premier Rugby Ltd cannot deliver, Ireland cannot deliver, Scotland cannot deliver, Wales cannot deliver and England cannot deliver.
They have to have respect for the bigger picture and what the Lions represent. They have to show that they are prepared to change things to keep the Lions.
You don’t have to sell the concept to sponsors or fans because they are already on board.
You don’t have to sell it to the players because, as Paul O’connell has said, they would do it for nothing; the jersey sells itself.
That is the size of it. And they need to understand how important it is that the preparations are in place. Everybody should be saying: What gives us the best chance to win? How should the season look?
It is in everyone’s best interests that the Lions reach the first Test in good shape, and the itinerary leading up to it should reflect that.
“The Lions, When the Going Gets Tough: Behind the Scenes” by Ian Mcgeechan is published by Hodder & Stoughton (£20). To order your copy for £16.99 plus p & p call 0844 871 1514 or visit books.telegraph.co.uk