Reports in the UK suggest that the British and Irish Lions administrators are making ernstige planne to stage their series against the Springboks on home soil.
The Lions are scheduled to kick off their tour to South Africa against the Stormers at Cape Town Stadium on July 3, but because of coronavirus issues there is serious concerns of whether SA should host the tour.
Australia have also offered to host the tour, with a report on the UK’s Daily Mail now saying “the Lions have made an official request to the British government to underwrite a home “tour”.
Starting with their match against Japan at Murrayfield on June 26, the report adds: “Following a board meeting last Thursday to discuss contingencies for the Covid-disrupted event, the Lions approached the British government to obtain financial guarantees which would clear the way for arrangements to be made for fixtures in Britain and Ireland.
“Sources have indicated that the initial response was positive and rugby officials are optimistic they will receive the support they need.”
The report continues: “The RFU and their counterparts in Wales, Scotland and Ireland heavily favour the option of home matches in these exceptional circumstances.
“A commitment from [parliament] to cover any potential losses in the event of Covid-related setbacks would allow plans to be stepped up.
“The potential for crowd limits to be removed from June 21 would come just in time for the Lions’ clash with Japan at Murrayfield. Any home ‘tour’ scenario would involve Tests in each capital city of London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Dublin.
“However, it is not clear whether Murrayfield would stage a Lions-South Africa Test if it has already hosted the Lions-Japan game.”