The British and Irish Lions might just be reigniting an old rivalry as murmurs of a potential showdown against France before their 2029 tour to New Zealand grow louder. Amidst a backdrop of calls for fresh adversaries following a somewhat tepid string of matches in Australia this year, the concept of the Lions clashing with the French team is brewing with possibilities.
The Lions, a team forged from the best of England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, currently adhere to a 12-year visiting cycle that includes Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. The routine mostly involves local matches followed by a trio of Test series games. However, deviations have occurred, such as the pre-tour matches against Argentina in Dublin (2025) and Japan in Edinburgh (2021), and a unique stopover in Hong Kong in 2013 to face the Barbarians.
Historically, the Lions' European ventures are rare, with the last instance being a celebratory match in Paris against France in 1989, post their successful Australian tour. Fast forward to today, and there's buzzing chatter about reviving this cross-Channel clash. Abdelatif Benazzi, the vice-president of the French Rugby Federation, hinted at ongoing informal discussions about the Lions revisiting French soil. "It's progressing, but nothing formal," Benazzi revealed to AFP. He emphasized the broader vision, "Every four years, we see the wave of people and enthusiasm it generates in all countries. A collaboration with our neighbours remains something conceivable."
"We have to find a new approach to be able to energize a bit of world rugby’s global image. We want to find a model that satisfies everyone."
While the idea simmers on the diplomatic backburner, the Lions are currently stationed in Sydney, gearing up for the conclusive match of their 2025 tour. Despite an early setback against Argentina in Dublin, they've since notched up a string of victories on Australian turf, clinching the series against the Wallabies with a 2-0 lead before the final Test.
The prospect of the Lions battling it out against France could indeed serve as a catalyst for revitalizing international rugby dynamics and enhancing the global appeal of the sport. As plans unfold, the rugby world watches eagerly, anticipating the potential revival of a historic rivalry and the fresh twist it could bring to the future of international tours.