Matt Dawson: I fancy the Lions in New Zealand

Matt Dawson: I fancy the Lions in New Zealand

  • Matt Dawson says he fancies the British and Irish Lions to take their tour of New Zealand to the wire
  • Warren Gatland’s side travel to the Southern hemisphere in June of next year before playing 10 fixtures
Former British and Irish Lions scrum-half Matt Dawson believes the side can take New Zealand to a third deciding Test next year.

Warren Gatland’s side travel to the Southern hemisphere in June of next year before playing 10 fixtures, culminating in a three-match Test against the All Blacks.

Dawson was part of the squad in 2005 who suffered a 3-0 series defeat in New Zealand, part of one of the worst Lions tours in recent memory under Sir Clive Woodward.

Now 12 years on Dawson expects the Lions to be more competitive under Warren Gatland, even with a bruising schedule that will see the Lions face all five Super Rugby franchises.

“I really do fancy them,” revealed Dawson on 5 live sport



“It will be a monumental effort to win a test match, let alone the series. But it’s going to be off the scale.

“I like the coaching setup, I like the pool of talent they are going to be selecting from. For the first time ever since watching as a kid, I really am quite confident the Lions can win a test match early on and take the tour to a third match.

“It could be one of the greatest series ever.”

Dawson went on three Lions tours, winning in South Africa in 1997, as well as winning the Rugby World Cup with England back in 2003.