'Big clash’ should be considered for the British and Irish Lions in the future according to rugby star
The British and Irish Lions secured their first Test series victory for 12 years last summer as they emerged 2-1 winners over Australia.
Andy Farrell’s side dominated the first Test before edging out the Wallabies in the second with a late Hugo Keenan try before the Australians secured a consolation win in the final match.
It was an incredible spectacle to witness as fans travelled in their thousands to witness this Test series from across Australia and the British Isles, colouring the stadium in the gold of the Wallabies and the famous red of the Lions.
Throughout the tour there were questions about the future of Australia being a hosting party for the Lions as their nation looked to be on the decline and about there potentially being a decision made to replace them with another country.
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Argentina’s victory over Farrell’s side in Dublin, ahead of the tour in Australia, did not help the Wallabies’ case, and there were suggestions that a Test series against the Pumas may be a welcomed replacement to facing the two-time World Cup winners.
As this idea was touted, there was another nation mentioned, which is one of the best sides at the international level, and their league is arguably the finest in world rugby.
France.
Now, French international Nolann Le Garrec would love to have the chance to face the British and Irish Lions in a warm-up fixture or a Test series when asked about the chance to face the historic side.
He said: “I think it could be a really good thing for both teams to play against in a big clash.
“I don't know if it's on one game or three games. Yeah, I think it could be good for the fans also, but it's just an opinion.”
The 23-year-old travelled to Australia to watch the Lions tour as a rugby fan, meeting up with Owen Farrell, his former Racing 92 teammate, to enjoy the historic side emerge victorious over the Wallabies.
Le Garrec was particularly impressed by the attendance of the tour and the atmosphere generated by those in the stadiums across the Test series, and he would love to see the same across France.
The La Rochelle star said: “It was cool. The main thing was the stadium for me because it was like 100,000 people in the stands. I used to play in big stadiums like Stade de France, but this one was crazy. The atmosphere between the Australian people and a lot of Irish and British Lions was so cool.
“The game was also incredible, but you can feel like it's traditional, like you feel history.”
France have only ever squared off against the Lions on one occasion in the Parc des Princes on October 4, 1989, to celebrate the Bicentennial of the French Revolution.
The tourists would secure a victory, and there was a sizeable attendance at the historic fixture which could help ease concerns about lack of interest if France and the Lions announced they would play a warm-up game or if they were to square off in a Test series.
France have some of the strongest club sides in the world and would be perfect preparation for the Lions to square off against in the build-up to the Test series, with the different regions of the European nation being able to demonstrate their rugby culture to a fresh audience.
From the Basque region with the likes of Bayonne and Biarritz to the Catalan region with Perpignan and then to Brittany with Vannes, fans of the Lions can explore the nation while watching their side compete against these clubs before facing off against Les Bleus.
Topics: Rugby, Rugby Union
Brendan McGilligan