Insult was not Calveley done

IF the Lions were casual in insulting Argentina, their latest volley fired at Australia demonstrates a step-up in off-hand arrogance.

- DEREK FOLEY

They had no sooner arrived in-country then there was a full-on demand that the Wallabies don't hold back any international players from the Force, Reds, Brumbies and Waratahs games... from the Lions CEO Ben Calveley.

No, you have most likely never heard of him but he decided to take a press conference in Perth and dropped a complete 'clanger'.

Effectively telling Joe Schmidt that at no point during the build up to the three Tests against the Lions first XV could he train with his intended first team at the Aussie training base.

Schmidt was able to act hurt on behalf of the Aussie nation - he had been 'wronged' - and parried: "I'm not sure whether Andy (Farrell, inset) was part of that discussion or whether it was just coming from the CEO.