Warren Gatland has admitted that the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa may have to shift dates due to rugby’s uncertain global calendar.
Reports have surfaced leading European nations will target additional international matches in July to bolster their dwindling financial reserves, pushing the Lions tour back to October-November.
Warren Gatland admits Lions tour to South Africa may have to shift dates due to rugby's uncertain global calendarhttps://t.co/44u0B6XmHV pic.twitter.com/TXwY9e4B3X
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The tour also clashes with the new dates for the postponed Tokyo Olympics, although Lions management have previously said that alone won’t prompt any shift.
“I’m conscious of what’s best for the game,” said Gatland.
“There’a a lot of things going on at the moment that if it does get pushed back a little bit, we have to deal with that.
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“The Lions tour is something I know the players have been looking forward to doing and it’s really important for South Africa, I know they’re desperate for it to go ahead.
“If it means that we have to move some dates, we have to be flexible on that.”
Sir Ian McGeechan selects his 41-man Lions squad for 2021 tour
In a year’s time (coronavirus permitting) Warren Gatland will announce his squad for the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa.
Lions legend Sir Ian McGeechan has selected the star studded squad he’d pick to take on the world champions.
Back-three (8)
Josh Adams, Andrew Conway, Elliot Daly, Stuart Hogg, Jordan Larmour, Jonny May, Anthony Watson, Liam Williams.
Centres (5)
Jonathan Davies, Robbie Henshaw, Sam Johnson, Henry Slade, Manu Tuilagi