No fans on Lions tour 'a travesty'

Wed, Jan 27, 2021, 10:00 PM
AFP
by AFP
Former British and Irish Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones will be disappointed if the 2021 tour is crowd less. Photo: Getty Images
Former British and Irish Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones will be disappointed if the 2021 tour is crowd less. Photo: Getty Images

Former British and Irish Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones said on Wednesday that having no spectators during this year's tour of South Africa would be a "travesty."

Doubts over the fixtures have increased due to the situation with the coronavirus pandemic in South Africa where over 1.4 million cases have been recorded and 41,000 deaths reported to date.

Jones, 35, who captained the invitational side in 2013 on the sixth of his nine Test appearance for the Lions, said England's Owen Farrell, Ireland's Johnny Sexton and Scotland's Stuart Hogg all want the tour to happen in 2021.

SWING BLOW: England's Six Nations campaign rocked

STAN SPORT: Super Rugby AU pricing confirmed

"It would be travesty if the fans won't be able to go and see it," Jones said at the launch for this year's Six Nations.

"Having been involved in a few tours it's very special as the fans make it that way. From the captains' point of view, we're all in agreement that if it can it should go ahead this year.

"I think it needs to go ahead this year. The jury's out over where it's going to happen," he said.

There are fears the Six Nations itself could fall victim to Covid-19 delays, which in turn might have a knock-on effect on the Lions.

"I've got enough challenges to focus on on my side, so I've not been involved in the Lions conversation," said Six Nations chief executive Ben Morel.

"Obviously, I'm very well aware of the challenges they are facing and understand the hard decisions that will need to be made, but at the same time we will see relatively soon what is ultimately decided."

IT'S A RAPP: Tim calls time on Tahs

WHERE'S BALLYMORE?: 50 years for one of Rugby's greats

Wales skipper Jones has missed seven weeks of action after suffering a knee injury in December's victory over Italy but said he will be fit to host Ireland on February 7.

"I've been up and running for two to three weeks," Jones.

"All that's progressed really well and I'm back in team training so I wait for selection," he added.

Share
James Lowe scored a hat-trick as Leinster advance to the Champions Cup Final. Photo: AFP
Lowe hat-trick as Leinster edge Northampton in Champions Cup semi-final
The Aussies celebrate a tough win over South Africa. Photo: World Rugby
Australian sides into Singapore semi finals after extra time thriller
LIVE: Australian sides charge into Singapore semi-finals
Five things we learnt from ACT Brumbies - Fijian Drua