Maro Itoje previously captained the British and Irish Lions to a series victory over Australia, following a drawn series against New Zealand in 2017 and a series defeat to South Africa in 2021.
Third Test: Australia v British and Irish Lions
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney Date: Saturday 2 August Kick-off: 11:00 BST
Coverage: Live text commentary and post-match analysis on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC iPlayer and online
The French Rugby Federation (FFR) has expressed its desire to cultivate a “long-term” partnership with the British and Irish Lions, beyond the proposed warm-up matches for the inaugural women’s tour in 2027 and the men’s tour to New Zealand in 2029.
The strength of club rugby in France, coupled with the potential for Lions supporters to follow their team at a comparatively lower cost, has fueled calls for the inclusion of France in the Lions’ schedule.
“We are starting with this, but I don’t want it to be a one-off,” FFR vice-president Abdelatif Benazzi told BBC Sport regarding discussions surrounding the 2027 and 2029 fixtures.
“I believe we can establish something enduring.”
Former France international Benazzi and Nicolas Hourquet, the FFR’s director of international relations, engaged with Lions officials in Dublin last month, preceding the touring side’s warm-up match against Argentina.
Lions chief executive Ben Calveley subsequently noted that he “certainly understood” the enthusiasm surrounding a potential tour of France.
“What’s not to appreciate about the exceptional clubs one could compete against and the remarkable venues available?” Calveley added.
Benazzi narrowly missed out on election for World Rugby chair in November and was appointed as president of the Six Nations Council in March.
During the current tour of Australia, Lions officials have urged the Wallabies to release more prominent international players for the tour matches, amidst concerns regarding their competitive nature.
The Lions defeated Australia’s four Super Rugby teams by an average of 27.5 points, before securing the series victory with wins in the first two Tests against the Wallabies.
Benazzi affirmed that France has no intention of disrupting the established rotation of Lions tours, which alternate between Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa every four years.
Instead, he hopes that the new global calendar, commencing next year with the inaugural edition of the biennial Nations Cup, will generate opportunities.
“Naturally, we will not interfere with the legacy in the Southern Hemisphere – that will remain untouched,” Benazzi added.
“We have a multitude of projects. We are evaluating the possibilities with the United States – perhaps there is an opportunity to play there – possibly in Paris or London. We are simply brainstorming ideas.
“If there is a connection between two institutions, it simplifies the projection of our objectives – a warm-up before the tour, a special match perhaps every four years, either in our own countries or abroad, to foster the growth of the game.”
A full-scale Lions tour of France presents an appealing prospect.
France’s national team, who triumphed in this year’s Six Nations, is currently at its strongest in a generation.
At the club level, Toulouse, Bordeaux-Begles, and La Rochelle have secured the past five editions of the Champions Cup, while teams such as Toulon, Racing 92, and Clermont Auvergne offer high-quality, multinational squads and captivating venues.
Bordeaux-Begles were welcomed by thousands of fans upon their return from defeating Northampton in May’s Champions Cup final in Cardiff.
Interest in rugby is substantial and growing in France, while the Lions and their supporters could travel between matches more conveniently than in their traditional destinations.
However, there are significant political and logistical challenges to consider.
The Top 14 season extends until the end of June, thereby curtailing the potential window for a tour. It also places a significant workload on the players.
As part of an agreement with their respective clubs, France typically refrains from selecting its top players during the summer, opting instead to rest key players and cultivate depth.
A second-string France side presented a strong challenge to New Zealand in two of the three matches the teams contested this summer.
Nonetheless, Benazzi posits that a generation of players eager for new challenges, and a revised approach to balancing the demands of France’s clubs and national team, can alleviate any potential issues.
“With the Nations Cup [in which summer results contribute to a team’s final standings] commencing, we are seeking a new model in conjunction with the league and France,” he stated.
“We do not have merely 25 players representing the French team; we are building a squad of 50 players around the project, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to compete and participate.”
“We will strike a balance between the LNR and FFR.”
“The younger generation now seeks more than just traditional matches. They desire to compete and confront major challenges. I believe they would prepare for [the Lions] as if it were a World Cup.”
France scrum-half Nolann le Garrec, who played in all three Tests against New Zealand, traveled to Melbourne to attend the Lions’ match against a First Nations and Pasifika XV on his journey home.
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Should France host the Lions, it would mark the first encounter since a 1989 fixture arranged to commemorate the bicentennial of the French Revolution.
Benazzi, who earned the first of his 78 France caps the following year, believes that the rivalry is overdue for a revival.
“My generation missed numerous opportunities,” he stated. “At times, we remained at home and missed engaging with the broader game.”
“I believe we have lost considerable time since 1989.”
“The influence of the Lions is immense, and we are, simultaneously, close to our neighbors yet distant from this legacy.”
“If we re-engage with a respectable project for all involved, we can provide our supporters and fans with greater aspirations.”
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