Austin Healey is right – however uncomfortable that is to admit – the Lions should tour France. It would be an epic sporting event and there is no need for relative proximity to spoil a glorious vision.
The former England back resurrected this talking point after the French had run riot in Dublin, in front of hordes of their supporters, to dismantle Six Nations title-holders Ireland.
In recent years, whenever this idea has been proposed, the response is overwhelmingly positive, but it amounts to nothing more than idle discussion. But why shouldn’t it be a genuine possibility?
This is not an exact science. The whole concept of the Lions is based around history and tradition, old colonial ties, nostalgia and the established routine of visiting three far-flung locations, on a rotating basis. That has been the pattern for decades, so it is unchallenged, apparently.
There has always been a sense that these British and Irish missions capture the imagination because they take place so far from home.
But that mentality is a throwback to the days before wall-to-wall coverage of sport on TV and the age of the internet, which means there is not the same mystique about countries on the far side of the equator as there once was. It has even reached the stage that South African franchises are taking part in the URC and Champions Cup – creating further familiarity.
Why can the Lions not tour France? It makes sense on so many levels. Right now, the country is the rugby hotbed of the world
France has a thriving club game awash with partisan fervour, on a level far beyond anything which exists in Australia and New Zealand
The whole concept of the Lions is based around history and tradition, old colonial ties, nostalgia and the established routine of visiting three far-flung locations, on a rotating basis
So, why not tour France? It makes sense on so many levels. Right now, the country is the rugby hotbed of the world, with a thriving club game awash with partisan fervour, on a level far beyond anything which exists in Australia and New Zealand.
Healey’s social media post drew a multitude of reactions, largely supportive but with caveats. Some people suggested tour matches should take place over the border in Spain, as a means of forging greater rugby interest there – and this column fully advocates such progressive thinking.
They could go the whole hog and stage one of the Tests at the towering Nou Camp in Barcelona, maybe after an opener in Marseille and before a decider in Paris.
Imagine the Lions facing Toulouse in the tour matches. Even if the club’s marquee France stars were in camp with their national squad, there would be a vast array of talent capable of claiming one of the most prized scalps in the sport.
Imagine a Wednesday night showdown with Clermont Auvergne, at their lair in the mountains, Stade Marcel Michelin. Imagine a clash with all-singing, all-dancing Bordeaux, in the city’s futuristic football stadium, or taking on Toulon, in their bear pit by the Mediterranean.
There would be a full schedule of thunderous matches, in packed arenas. There would be no need to assemble novelty sides to fill fixture slots, as Australia are still trying to do for this summer.
They would be queuing up to confront the Lions. It might be the only scenario which could persuade the French authorities to slightly shorten their league season, knowing that a colourful, profitable carnival was heading their way.
The travel aspect is significant too. In this age of environmental concerns and a quest to limit carbon footprints, it wouldn’t be the worst idea to visit a country which can be reached via Eurostar, rather than having a tour party of 70 or 80 people on long-haul flights to the other side of the world.
Imagine the Lions facing Toulouse in the tour matches. Even if the club’s marquee France stars were in camp with their national squad, there would be a vast array of talent
Imagine a Wednesday night showdown with Clermont Auvergne, at their lair in the mountains, Stade Marcel Michelin
Another marquee fixture would be taking on Toulon, in their bear pit by the Mediterranean
And for the tens of thousands who form the fabled Red Army every four years, France would be accessible for a fraction of the cost of a journey Down Under.
The elephant in the room here is that the Lions have become a financial crutch for hard-up unions in the distant south, but that cannot be the primary consideration. Future tours are not locked in, so it would be appropriate to consider whether a plan could be hatched with France.
A tour of New Zealand in 2029 is already pencilled in and the subject of background planning, but there shouldn’t just be a slavish commitment to the same old rota for ever more.
Put it out to tender. See if there is a Gallic appetite for this idea. And if there is, make it happen. The rugby and the mass public interest, competitive tour fixtures, the weather, the wine, the beaches in early summer and the easy ‘commute’ would all create an attractive proposition.
The accountants and officials would welcome the prospect of record-breaking revenue, the minimal time difference would boost viewing figures and at the heart of it all would be exceptional sport.
The Lions shouldn’t just be about distant adventures, the whole point is to face and overcome ultimate challenges. When they play like they did against Ireland, the French are in that category.
Super Saturday? Not so fast
It’s been said before, but it is worth repeating; Super Saturday should involve all three matches kicking off simultaneously.
Of course, the broadcasters wouldn’t agree, given the impact on logistical planning and viewing numbers, but it would be fairer and would create a powerful mood of tension and suspense around the competing countries.
France have the title in their grasp, but they kick off last, which means Ireland and England will take it in turns to heap the pressure on, but then have to wait for the last match – Scotland’s daunting visit to Paris – which could nullify all their best efforts.
Imagine the chaotic drama if all three games were happening at once and the Scots managed to take the lead at the Stade de France; it would send shockwaves resonating through the stands in Rome and Cardiff.
Granted, supporters love the chance to watch three final-round fixtures back-to-back-to-back, which makes for an absorbing schedule.
But the only way to create a truly level playing field would be to have all the title-chasing teams taking their shot at glory at the same time.
Plus, that would avert the spectre of a trophy presentation in an empty stadium or a hotel function room, although the French should do enough to ensure a dazzling ceremony on Saturday night.
Imagine the chaotic drama if all three games were happening at once and the Scots managed to take the lead at the Stade de France
The problem with a glitzy Lions launch
The Lions have decided to turn their squad announcement into a grand occasion at the O2 Arena in London, in front of thousands of invited guests on May 8.
It does make sense to create a spectacle around the event, as it attracts enormous interest ahead of every tour.
There is always so much hype and anticipation in the build-up, speculation about who is in and who is out, plus a particular focus on the captaincy, at least until the chosen man is informed and it prompts a run on the bookies when word gets out before the official ‘reveal’.
One minor issue with the choice of venue for the squad unveiling is that it brings back memories of England’s glitzy ‘send-off’ party at the O2 Arena ahead of the home World Cup in 2015, featuring a wildly excessive mood of triumphalism.
It jarred at the time and it certainly did weeks later when the hosts crashed out after the pool stage.
So perhaps the Lions would be best advised to create a fanfare around their selections, but avoid too many bold predictions about a series whitewash of the Wallabies, just in case history repeats itself.
England tried a glitzy O2 Arena send-off once before …and it did not end well
The one man the Lions can’t do without
Before Andy Farrell, the Lions head coach, finalises his playing squad for the crusade Down Under, he must settle on the right combination of assistants to take with him. One of those should be his former Wigan team-mate.
Shaun Edwards is still the master of his craft. He is still setting supreme standards after all these years. France’s players are still responding to his inspirational calls to arms – delivered in French with a distinct Lancashire accent.
Having nilled Wales in Paris, they restricted the super-slick Irish to three tries in Dublin, but was Edwards content? Hell, no.
He was seething, after watching his defence concede two late strikes, by opponents striving to avoid humiliation.
The cross-code icon remains a perfectionist and a man who has lost none of his innate hunger over so many years and so many title successes with various teams, in league and union, in club and Test rugby.
Edwards has said he will swim to Australia if that’s what is needed to work with the Lions again, but Farrell should make sure there is a seat on the plane for such a prolific winner.
Cross-code icon Shaun Edwards remains a perfectionist and a man who has lost none of his innate hunger over so many years and so many title successes with various teams
Edwards has turned France into a dominant defensive force under his leadership
How to get Twickenham roaring? It’s child’s play
These days, all manner of ploys are used to try to generate some noise at Twickenham, but it turns out that gimmicks aren’t required – all it takes is to let small children loose on the field and the crowd will come alive.
Undoubtedly the most adorable, heartwarming aspect of the matchday proceedings on Sunday came after the final whistle, when the England team doctor, Katy Hornby, took her two young children for a run on the sacred turf.
When they reached the posts at the north end of the stadium, there was a loud cheer, which they didn’t appear to realise was their doing. Then they set off for the posts at the southern end and when – having appeared on the big screen – they reached their target and mimicked scoring a try, it brought the house down.
Next time, host a full-scale junior pitch invasion, throw on some balls, let them run amok and it will attract far more spontaneous enthusiasm from the stands than all the DJs, musicians and over-eager MCs combined.
The Last Word
England find themselves lumbered with a midfield dilemma, which is nothing new.
This time, the loss of Ollie Lawrence – who has become such a fixture in the back line – has led to a fresh outbreak of uncertainty in a problem area.
The loss of Ollie Lawrence – who has become such a fixture in the back line – has led to a fresh outbreak of uncertainty in a problem area
Lawrence’s team-mates consoled him at full time on Sunday after he picked up his injury
Steve Borthwick has called up Max Ojomoh and it would be fascinating to see the Bath centre play against Wales… but that’s not going to happen
Steve Borthwick has called up Max Ojomoh and it would be fascinating to see the Bath centre play against Wales, but that’s not going to happen, in such a difficult away fixture.
The head coach could bring back Henry Slade, but that would require another reshuffle. The intention to experiment by shifting Tommy Freeman from the wing to outside centre is intriguing and potentially effective, but this is not the time – although it won’t happen on the summer tour of Argentina and the USA either, because he’s bound to be away with the Lions.
For the purposes of winning a dangerous game, Borthwick is likely to keep changes to a minimum, despite the inconvenience of a six-day turn-around.
It makes sense to pick up where England left off against Italy, with Elliot Daly at 13, Freeman staying out wide in his quest to complete a Grand Slam of tries in this championship campaign, and Marcus Smith to continue at full-back. If it ain’t broke and all that…
