Forget France and let Lions hunt Big Three

ITOJE BACKS TRIED AND TRUE FORMAT

- From Adam Hathaway in Sydney

CAPTAIN Maro Itoje has urged Lions chiefs to stick with tradition and carry on travelling to the southern hemisphere big three.

The tourists’ bosses have said they are open to visiting other venues, with only the next tour of New Zealand — in 2029 — locked into their schedule.

A trip to France has been mooted, with the vibrant club game over there sure to supply quality non-Test match opponents in cities such as Toulouse and Bordeaux, while it would be easier for fans to dip in and out.

But Itoje has done the full set of New Zealand, in 2017, South Africa, in 2021, and now Australia, and the 30-year-old believes things should stay as they are for now.

He said: "With the three nations the Lions tour, there’s a strong sense of history and tradition. Perhaps the Lions is the last of the traditional organisations in the modern era.