Rugby 'A Lions tour has to be a long-haul affair' says captain Itoje

MARO Itoje insists long-haul travel must remain a feature of British and Irish Lions tours amid calls for new territories to be added to their list of destinations.

- Duncan BECH

The Lions visit Australia, New Zealand and South Africa on rotation, but there has been growing support for rugby-loving France to join them because of the strength of their Test team and club game, as well as the commercial opportunities.

But three days after leading Andy Farrell’s men to a series-clinching victory over the Wallabies, with Saturday’s final Test in Sydney still to play, Itoje revealed his preference is for the Lions’ heritage to be preserved.

"I thought about this at the beginning of the tour. My answer is, with the three nations that the Lions tour, there’s a strong sense of history and tradition," Itoje said.

"Perhaps the Lions is the last of the traditional organisations in the modern era. Part of me is keen for it to continue to rotate among the three countries it does. But, that being said, you have to stay relatively open-minded. As it stands, the three nations it tours is pretty good. Also it wouldn’t feel the same if we took a short-haul flight. It needs a long-haul flight."