THE silence of the Lions is deafening. We are not talking here about the former Lions players, coaches, and administrators – like Ian McGeechan and Fran Cotton –who have savaged the five-week tour straitjacket put on the best of British & Irish by Premiership Rugby and their acolytes at World Rugby.
It is a comment about the mouthpiece of the Lions, their very own official website, lionsrugby. com, which has nothing to say on the subject of the truncated schedule foisted on the greatest touring side in team sports.
There is not a word of strategy, opinion, or protest on its pages, arguing the case against one of Rugby Union’s biggest administrative bungles for a century. Instead, it is gagged. Mute.
Those who believe the Lions have become the creature of their own commercial apparatus will only have had that view reinforced by the supine stance which has been adopted.
It is also extraordinary that at a time when the Lions more than ever needed a strong administrative presence they were in limbo.
Despite announcing the appointment of Ben Calveley as the British & Irish Lions’ first full-time managing director in August –when it was also revealed he had been on secondment to the organisation since April – he did not take over until Monday, November 12.
Calveley said in his summer unveiling he was ‘honoured’, and added: “It is an absolute privilege and thrill to be part of such a unique sporting body, which holds a special place in the hearts of all rugby fans.”
That special place will not exist for much longer given the way the Lions ethos is being butchered.
Seeing that Calveley should have a good feel for the challenge ahead after seven months of secondment, we await the roar.
