'There is no agreement to release English players for the fixture against Japan'
British and Irish Lions managing director Ben Calveley will continue an “open dialogue” with Premiership Rugby over the possible release of players for the friendly against Japan at Murrayfield next summer. On Wednesday morning, it was announced the Lions will play Japan at Murrayfield a curtain-raiser Test match ahead of the 2021 series against the Springboks.
The confirmed June 26 date is the same day as next season’s Gallagher Premiership final, but will be scheduled at a different kick-off time, and is a week before the Lions tour opener in Cape Town.
Given the Japan game falls outside of World Rugby’s regulation nine international window for Test matches, Premiership Rugby are not mandated to release players to head coach Warren Gatland’s squad for the fixture.
The scenario is nothing new, having been the situation for more than ten years, with clubs making it Premiership Rugby board policy not to release players outside of the requirements of regulation nine. Lions boss Calveley accepts it is a delicate situation, especially given the concerns over player burnout and fatigue ahead of embarking on such a prestigious tour, but one on which he feels a compromise can be brokered with the Premiership.
“Premiership Rugby have already announced a fixture list for next year and we don’t anticipate that changing, but we have been in dialogue with PRL for a long time about this (Japan) match – for the best part of twelve months or so,” Calveley said.
? “For the players, I know how excited they’re going to be to be wearing that jersey for the first time”#SA2021 Head Coach Warren Gatland gives his thoughts on the historic Home Game against @JRFURugby#ManeEvent #HomeTogether pic.twitter.com/1YyrdEiWRq
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) October 21, 2020
“Obviously we have taken this match up to Scotland and we will be at a different kick-off time to the Premiership final and we absolutely accept that this is not a regulation nine fixture, so there is no obligation for the clubs to release any of their players.
“The position right now is that there is no sanctioning of English players to play in this fixture, but we would be keen to keep that dialogue open and we would be hopeful that position might change.
“It is a wonderful opportunity for players, not just to play in that fixture, but also to put their hand up and start to impress Warren and his coaching team in advance of the tour of South Africa.
“Our understanding is that, as it stands, there is no agreement to release English players for the fixture against Japan. We don’t have that agreement from Premiership Rugby. They have not confirmed that players will be released for this fixture and that relates to all of the English clubs.”
There is also no agreement on the release of any potential Lions players from French clubs, which adds another layer to the negotiations. “We are open to continuing dialogue, but at the moment, given this is a non-regulation nine fixture, we understand that and respect their position,” Calveley said.
“But we would, of course, be hopeful those players not playing in the (Premiership) final would be available to play in this match, although that would require a change to the position as it currently stands.”
Given the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic had on decimating the 2020 sporting calendar across the globe and the knock-on impact into next year, Calveley accepts there was never going to be a perfect solution – but rejected suggestions the Lions were now in a weakened position.
“My view is that the Lions is going from strength to strength,” he said. “We have added a fixture to the schedule here, from eight to nine. The reality is the Lions is a very special event. In fact, it is unique, not just in rugby but in sporting terms.
“It is the absolute pinnacle for the players and the fans love it more than any other sporting property in the UK and Ireland. The game absolutely understands too that it benefits from Lions tours, given that the Lions has the ability to attract the casual fan, not just the hardcore fan, in a way that certain other rugby properties aren’t able to.
“I actually feel as though the Lions is on the up. The game understands that it needs to protect these blockbuster events.”
Calveley maintains a positive outlook that fans will be in the sold-out South African stadiums next summer, with the ticket-only ballot “oversubscribed incredibly heavily”. He said: “All of the numbers suggest that not only is the interest there, but people are intending to travel in their droves.
“There is a real determination within the South African authorities, public and rugby, to make sure that the tour can go ahead.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments