Legendary British & Irish Lions captain Willie John McBride has banded a potential home series as a ‘disgrace’ after fans launched a petition against it.
With the trip to South Africa under threat, contingency plans have been drawn up to host the ‘tour’ in the UK with the three tests being played at the Principality, Twickenham and Wembley Stadium.
Never afraid to share an opinion, Willie John McBride told Telegraph Sport: “It would defeat the entire ethos of the Lions if they play a few games here in the home countries.
“It would be a disgrace. It will defeat everything the Lions stand for,
“It is not a Lions tour, or a Lions concept of any sorts to play anything here in the home countries.
“You have to play it in South Africa. In my view they should postpone it until next year.
“Let’s not lose the concept of what the Lions is all about. If they have to postpone it for three years, it would not matter to me, as long as they retain the concept of what the Lions are all about. It would damage the Lions forever.”
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Fullback: JPR Williams (Wales)
“In attack, JPR was to be seen either working in tandem with his wing three-quarters or terrifying defensive lines. He was also a towering figure in defence, safe as houses under a high ball and with a penchant for demolishing attackers.”
Wing: Gerald Davies (Wales)
“I have so many fond memories of seeing him taking on opponents – often with a swagger which very few have the right to exhibit. He wove, he probed, he varied his angles of running and was always in position to counter attack from deep in tandem with his full-back.”
Centre: Jeremy Guscott (England)
“Jerry restored fans’ faith in the aesthetic and artistic qualities of the game. I always appreciated his effortless style. Opponents were unable to predict whether he was going to run, pass or kick. Everything he did was instinctive and this made him a very difficult player to read.”
Centre: Mike Gibson (Ireland)
“Mike Gibson was the complete footballer, ‘phenomenal’ according to The New Zealand Rugby Annual. In an interview, Brian O’Driscoll paid a sincere tribute to one of Irish rugby’s greatest ever players: ‘At times when Irish rugby wasn’t successful, he was always the shining light.”
Winger: JJ Williams (Wales)
““His combination of electrifying speed and breathtaking audacity disarmed organised defences on the Lions tour of South Africa in 1974. In an interview, Brian O’Driscoll paid a sincere tribute to one of Irish rugby’s greatest ever players: ‘At times when Irish rugby wasn’t successful, he was always the shining light.”