Gatland: Let’s jab Lions to show unity
THE Lions want to vaccinate their British & Irish touring party in the UK before the South Africa tour as a show of ‘unity’.
With Covid the black cloud hanging over this summer’s trip to the home of the world champions, Lions bosses want to ensure their tour is safe.
And head coach Warren Gatland — who has had the first dose of the vaccine — revealed that the Lions are lobbying to sort jabs for all the tourists.
With the UK’s vaccine roll-out much faster than Ireland’s, Irish players would be inoculated in Britain under the Lions’ plan.
‘It would be a brilliant message if we were able to vaccinate all the touring party, the players and all the staff,’ said Gatland. ‘The Lions i s about unity, bringing people together.
‘We’ve got to be conscious not to be seen getting special treatment, but I think these are special times and circumstances.
‘It might not come together but fingers crossed we might be able to do something.’
While Covid restrictions on the tour are yet to be finalised, the Lions will reveal a new match schedule this week.
It will confirm they will play three Tests against the Springboks — not the rumoured four — with the first in Cape Town and the second two at altitude in Johannesburg.
Trips to Durban, Nelspruit and Port Elizabeth will be scrapped, while the South Africa ‘Invitational’ match is likely to be swapped for one against Super Rugby’s Lions franchise.
Gatland said: ‘The schedule is great. We have to make the best of what we have to do. We’re not in the same bubble the whole time, so will get to move around a bit.
‘We’ll be doing altitude training with masks when we go to Jersey for a training camp.’
Premiership clubs are at present refusing to release their stars for that June 13 camp — the day after the end of the regular season, — and are holding out for money from the Lions.
‘It looks like the Lions are going to lose money, we’re all in the same boat, so I don’t know why everything has to come down to dollar signs,’ said Gatland.
‘Clubs get a significant fee for players’ release to go on tour. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask for players to come in once they’ve finished with their club. I don’t know why there has to be an extra payment for that.’