Plotting a British and Irish Lions Tour of the Americas

The campaigning process for World Rugby elections has seen candidate Agustín Pichot plotting a British and Irish Lions of the Americas. The British and Irish Lions are the combined test sides of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Every four years, in between RWCs, the British and Irish Lions embark on a tour to Australia, New Zealand or South Africa. At least this is the current model. It has not always been the case. Prior to RWC 1987 the tours varied. This saw tours every three years from 1968-1983, all of which were to the above three countries.

However, the British and Irish Lions have not always exclusively toured Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Indeed, the British and Irish Lions have previously toured the Americas on three occasions. These tours were in 1910, 1927 and 1936 and were strictly tours to Argentina.

Pichot spoke to the Daily Mail, plotting a British and Irish Lions tour of the Americas. He commented:

“People think I don’t like tradition, but I speak to Lions players like Brian O’Driscoll and it’s a great product. I love it. There is still room for the Lions. It is a traditional thing but we can still add a modern look to it.”

“I would use the Lions on a more worldwide scale. I would like to see that brand travel even further. They would be very popular in North and South America but that’s a conversation to have with the CEO of the Lions.”

ARN’s Bryan Ray previously published a proposed model for a British and Irish Lions tour of the Americas. In it he plotted a ten match tour from New York to Buenos Aires. It included more than the regular three test matches. Click here to access the proposal.