Let Lions play Australia instead of Springboks

THERE has been a lot said over the last week about the prospects of the 2021 Lions tour of South Africa going ahead after the sharp increase in Covid infections in the UK and South Africa, and the identification of new strains.

- JEREMY GUSCOTT

However, it is very difficult to predict what will happen week-to-week, let alone five months from now when the tour is due to start.

When it comes to the Lions my attitude is that if it is at all possible, the show must go on. For me, the Lions is one of the greatest clubs in the world, if not the greatest.

I want the Lions to continue forever because of the wonderful experiences I’ve had as a player, and after that as an ambassador and broadcaster – and if I do not go on tour in any of those capacities, then I would always go as a supporter.

Nobody wants to see the Lions forced into a bubble, and most of us accept that the tour would definitely not be the same without the red army of supporters, but let’s look at how we can make the best of the bad situation forced on our sport by the pandemic.

There are very good financial reasons for the tour to go ahead in South Africa even without travelling fans, because there will still be a massive television audience for it, and sponsors will get some of the exposure they want.