Future tours not under threat from breakaway league, says Lions chief

Farrell in pole position to stay as coach for New Zealand series in 2029 hints Calveley

- Gerard Meagher

British & Irish Lions executives have insisted future tours are not under threat from the breakaway R360 league despite being ignored by the rebels. The proposed R360 calendar would appear to squeeze the Lions but, after a first series win in 12 years, the chief executive, Ben Calveley, believes future tours are secure.

Calveley also revealed that talks are progressing well with New Zealand over the 2029 tour and, after guiding the Lions to a first series win since 2013, Andy Farrell is in pole position to continue as head coach in four years' time.

He also admitted that "home" fixtures - such as the game staged in Dublin against Argentina in June - are to become a regular staple and wants tour matches against other nations such as Fiji and Japan to replace some provincial fixtures after the Lions were rarely tested by Australia's Super Rugby sides.

As the Lions were plotting - and failing - to wrap up a series clean sweep in Sydney last week, a number of meetings were held between rugby's powerbrokers. It is understood that at a World Rugby meeting R360 featured highly on the agenda with the competition planning to launch in September next year.

The breakaway league intends to hold its fixtures from April to October, pausing in July for the international window. Ten-match Lions tours require using a larger international window every four years, however, and at present organisers have approval from World Rugby to do so.