Warren Gatland has revealed the British and Irish Lions could play a £5million one-off clash against the All Blacks in 2021.
The match would decide the drawn 2017 series’ and pour funds back into rugby after coronavirus losses.
‘I’ve spoken to Mark Robinson (New Zealand CEO) about a warm-up game for the Lions and he was potentially talking about the New Zealand Maoris as a game,’ Gatland told The Breakdown Show.
It’s a blockbuster edition of the Breakdown tonight with @lionsofficial and @ChiefsRugby coach Warren Gatland on the show.
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) April 7, 2020
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‘But is it something that the All Blacks go up there for a decider at the end of June before we go off to South Africa?
‘Potentially it’s an opportunity to make four or five million pounds from a game like that and put some money back into the coffers, that we’re going to need.’
Sir Ian McGeechan picks seven Englishmen in his Lions 2021 XV
Rugby legend Sir Ian McGeechan has picked his best British & Irish Lions XV for their 2021 tour of South Africa.
Picking his team for the BBC, he’s selected seven England stars in his selection.
15: Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
14: Anthony Watson (England)
“I’d definitely have Watson. He’s great under the high ball, has unbelievable feet and would be outstanding on hard South African grounds.”
13: Jonathan Davies (Wales)
12: Manu Tuilagi (England)
“At 12, I have to go with Manu. There’s such power there. And you’ll need that.”