Lions tour should not be going ahead now
The Rugby Paper|July 04, 2021
While not being as much of an enthusiast for the British & Irish Lions as some, I absolutely understand the attraction of following them across the globe. However, that’s in normal times – in the current circumstances I think the whole endeavour is misguided, bordering on barking mad!
COLIN BOAG
Lions tour should not be going ahead now

South Africa is facing what is, according to President Cyril Ramaphosa, ‘a devastating Covid wave’. Just as we see things maybe getting better, the African continent might be about to see things get a whole lot worse. Can anyone, hand on heart, support sending the Lions to South Africa?

The essence of a Lions tour is a small army of fans paying a small fortune to follow their heroes across Australia, New Zealand or South Africa, mingling and drinking with the locals, and making friendships that will stand the test of time. This time around, none of that is happening: fans can’t travel, South Africa is in lockdown, the games will be played in empty stadia, and the UK government’s advice is clear, ‘You should not travel to red list countries or territories’, of which South Africa is one.

This story is from the July 04, 2021 edition of The Rugby Paper.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the July 04, 2021 edition of The Rugby Paper.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE RUGBY PAPERView All
Perenara tops try list as 'Canes march on
The Rugby Paper

Perenara tops try list as 'Canes march on

TJ PERENARA became the all-time top Super Rugby try scorer as his table topping Hurricanes demolished the Waratahs.

time-read
3 mins  |
May 05, 2024
You lived on the edge with Scotland
The Rugby Paper

You lived on the edge with Scotland

WHENEVER I cross paths with Paul Ackford, he always shouts across the room, “he taught me everything I knew!” Both of us were called into the England squad on the back of the London division’s famous win over Australia in 1988 but he got into the Test team later that year, and I didn’t.

time-read
5 mins  |
May 05, 2024
Appleyard unhappy with date clashes
The Rugby Paper

Appleyard unhappy with date clashes

STAFFORDSHIRE head coach Andy Appleyard believes the RFU are ‘stealing opportunities away from quality players’ due to the opening round of the County Championship being played on the same day as the Papa John’s final.

time-read
4 mins  |
May 05, 2024
Delighted to see Titans stand tall
The Rugby Paper

Delighted to see Titans stand tall

THERE are some teams you grow particularly attached to over the decades and I make no apologies in numbering Rotherham Titans among those.

time-read
3 mins  |
May 05, 2024
At 61, Daran calls it a day
The Rugby Paper

At 61, Daran calls it a day

DARAN Poppy was one of the oldest players in the RFU pyramid this season, reaching double-digit appearances for Old Gravesendians at the tender age of 61 but has decided to call time on his rugby career.

time-read
1 min  |
May 05, 2024
Louis has sights set on Kansas gold rush
The Rugby Paper

Louis has sights set on Kansas gold rush

THE latest phase of his footballing reincarnation took Louis Rees-Zammit to a school run by an American superstar whose contract runs from seven figures into nine.

time-read
4 mins  |
May 05, 2024
Nayalo steers Army to thrilling fightback
The Rugby Paper

Nayalo steers Army to thrilling fightback

THE British Army’s men pulled off a thrilling comeback that will live long in the memory to keep their hopes of regaining the Inter Service Championship alive, and dash the Royal Navy’s dream of a first back-to-back title in 50 years.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 05, 2024
Eadie has the last laugh for Hartpury
The Rugby Paper

Eadie has the last laugh for Hartpury

MITCH Eadie went from sinner to saint in a double try-scoring display as Hartpury won in style to keep their hopes alive of finishing the season in the tophalf of the Championship table.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 05, 2024
Roebuck out to impress England
The Rugby Paper

Roebuck out to impress England

SALE’s Tom Roebuck is a man on a mission as he looks to use the final weeks of the Premiership season to give England’s selectors a push to select him for the summer Tests against Japan and New Zealand.

time-read
3 mins  |
May 05, 2024
Masuku hits the target for Sharks
The Rugby Paper

Masuku hits the target for Sharks

THE Sharks turned Twickenham ‘Stoep’ into a mini South Africa as a partisan crowd roared their side to a dramatic victory over three-time winners Clermont to reach their first European final courtesy of deadeye goal kicking by Siya Masuku.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 05, 2024