In a bold sweep of commentary post the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, veteran rugby scribe Stephen Jones has called for a major shake-up in the traditional Lions touring schedule. With a recent 2-1 series victory over the Wallabies under their belt, Jones argues in The Sunday Times that it's time for the Lions to ditch their predictable itineraries and explore new territories, starting with skipping their planned 2029 tour to New Zealand.
Jones proposes that instead of heading to New Zealand, the Lions should make their way to France, which he dubs "the modern-day capital of the rugby world." This shift would not only refresh the Lions' touring model but also potentially benefit the broader rugby landscape. "A tour to France would also balance so many books in so many areas that the traditional hand-to-mouth existence of many rugby bodies would be a thing of the past," Jones explained. He suggests incorporating matches against club giants like Toulouse or Bordeaux Bègles, which would undoubtedly draw large crowds and enhance the tour's impact.
"Why do they have to plod wearily along the same routes? Surely it’s up to the host unions to balance their own books. The Lions have been a charitable institution for way too long."
Further expanding on the idea, Jones envisions a tour that includes eight games in France and two in other European nations such as Italy or an emerging rugby-playing country like Spain or Germany. This would not only boost the sport's profile in those nations but also diversify the Lions' exposure.
Jones also suggests rethinking the global rugby calendar to accommodate such tours, proposing that the European Cup competitions could be paused during Lions years to free up six weeks. Moreover, he floated the idea of excluding all other international games, except for the Six Nations, during Lions years.
Looking beyond 2029, Jones advocates for a subsequent tour to the Americas, highlighting the potential growth of rugby in the United States post their World Cup hosting and the deserved attention towards rugby-strong Argentina. "So why not have the Lions touring the Americas? They could play a three-match tour against the deserving Pumas, who put the Lions to the sword in Dublin before this trip," he stated, emphasizing Argentina’s robust rugby heritage and hospitality.
The radical suggestions by Jones not only challenge the status quo but also spark a crucial debate on the future dynamics of international rugby tours and their impact on the global growth of the sport.