Latest news with #LionsTest
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
British and Irish Lions send 'very clear' Australia warning over releasing Test stars for tour matches
Caution: Australia head coach Joe Schmidt does not want his top stars risking potential injury before Lions Test series (AP) The British and Irish Lions have warned Australia they will be in breach of contract if they fail to release their Test stars for all tour games involving Super Rugby teams. Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt has allowed Western Force players Nick Champion De Crespigny, Dylan Pietsch, Tom Robertson, Darcy Swain and Nic White to take part in Saturday's first match Down Under in Perth. Advertisement However, all those from the Reds, Waratahs and Brumbies, including big names such as Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Rob Valetini, will not face the Lions until the Test series. Given Australia's lack of depth, Schmidt is keen to avoid picking up any injuries while their warm-up fixture against Fiji in Newcastle on July 6, which takes place the day after the tourists meet the Waratahs, is another obstacle. However, Lions chief executive Ben Calveley has reminded the hosts of the terms of the tour contract, knowing Andy Farrell's men want to play the toughest possible opposition to provide adequate preparation for the opening Test on July 19. "We'll see a competitive fixture at the weekend and that's what we're looking for. We want to make sure our guys are battle-hardened when it comes to the Test series," Calveley said. Advertisement "The agreement is very clear - it says that Test players have to be released to play in fixtures leading into that series. That is our expectation. Warning: Lions CEO Ben Calveley wants to ensure that all their tour matches are competitive (AFP via Getty Images) "We'll play the game at the weekend and will carry on having discussions with (Rugby Australia chief executive) Phil Waugh and will take it step by step. "It's really important that these games are competitive. It's not just from a performance standpoint but it's also right for the fans, partners and broadcasters, who are all expecting competitive fixtures. That would be their expectation as well." Calveley declined to reveal what action the Lions could take if Schmidt will not be budged from his current policy, but it is clear the tourists hold all the aces given the vast revenue they generate for hosting countries. Advertisement A sold-out Aviva Stadium turned red for Friday night's send-off in a display of commercial power from the elite of British and Irish rugby, who continue to be a huge draw. Argentina won an entertaining but scrappy game 28-24 and given they are positioned three places higher than the Wallabies in the global ranking in fifth, they could be viewed as a more credible tour destination than Australia. There are also calls for France to be added to the current rotation that is completed by South Africa and New Zealand. For now, however, fixtures against other nations will be bolt-ons to existing destinations rather than stand-alone tours. "There are different teams around the world that we might be interested in playing against in future. Traditionally that's been consigned to a pre-tour element - Dublin, Murrayfield - so we'll probably focus on that," Calveley said. Advertisement "We're also interested when we go away on tour to see if we can bring in other countries like Japan and Fiji to feature in those games as we build up to the Test element. "We're open and we're flexible, but right now there are no plans to change the rotation of the tour structure." Calveley was speaking at a 'Welcome to Country' ceremony, a 20-minute First Nations cultural experience held in in Perth's Kings Park.
The Journal
01-05-2025
- Sport
- The Journal
Piardi, Amashukeli, and O'Keeffe to referee Lions Tests
WORLD RUGBY HAS confirmed that Andrea Piardi, Nika Amashukeli, and Ben O'Keeffe will referee the three Tests between the British & Irish Lions and Australia this summer. New Zealand's O'Keeffe will referee the first Test in Brisbane, Italian referee Andrea Piardi will be in charge for the second clash in Melbourne, and Georgian official Nika Amashukeli will be on the whistle for the final Test in Sydney. Advertisement 32-year-old Piardi and 30-year-old Amashukeli will become the first Italian and Georgian to referee British and Irish Lions Tests. The same trio of match officials will act as assistant referees for each of the three games Down Under, while Marius Jonker, Richard Kelly, and Eric Gauzins will rotate as the television match officials [TMOs] and foul play review officers [FPROs]. James Doleman, O'Keeffe, Paul Williams, Pierre Brousset, and Piardi will referee the Lions' warm-up games ahead of their three clashes with the Wallabies. Before travelling to Australia for the Lions Test, Piardi will referee Ireland's clash with Georgia on 5 July. Adam Leal and Ben Whitehouse will be his assistants for that game in Tbilisi, with Matteo Liperini on TMO duty. English referee Leal will take charge of Ireland's second summer Test against Portugal in Lisbon on 12 July. He will be assisted by Whitehouse and Anthony Woodthorpe, with Liperini named as the TMO again. For a full list of World Rugby's match official appointments for the men's July internationals, click here .
The 42
01-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Piardi, Amashukeli, and O'Keeffe to referee Lions Tests
WORLD RUGBY HAS confirmed that Andrea Piardi, Nika Amashukeli, and Ben O'Keeffe will referee the three Tests between the British & Irish Lions and Australia this summer. New Zealand's O'Keeffe will referee the first Test in Brisbane, Italian referee Andrea Piardi will be in charge for the second clash in Melbourne, and Georgian official Nika Amashukeli will be on the whistle for the final Test in Sydney. Advertisement 32-year-old Piardi and 30-year-old Amashukeli will become the first Italian and Georgian to referee British and Irish Lions Tests. The same trio of match officials will act as assistant referees for each of the three games Down Under, while Marius Jonker, Richard Kelly, and Eric Gauzins will rotate as the television match officials [TMOs] and foul play review officers [FPROs]. James Doleman, O'Keeffe, Paul Williams, Pierre Brousset, and Piardi will referee the Lions' warm-up games ahead of their three clashes with the Wallabies. Before travelling to Australia for the Lions Test, Piardi will referee Ireland's clash with Georgia on 5 July. Adam Leal and Ben Whitehouse will be his assistants for that game in Tbilisi, with Matteo Liperini on TMO duty. English referee Leal will take charge of Ireland's second summer Test against Portugal in Lisbon on 12 July. He will be assisted by Whitehouse and Anthony Woodthorpe, with Liperini named as the TMO again. For a full list of World Rugby's match official appointments for the men's July internationals, click here.
The Independent
16-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Six Nations team of the tournament including Kinghorn, Dupont and Itoje
France pipped England to the Guinness Six Nations title after a thrilling final day's action saw Les Bleus end a three-year wait for silverware. Here, the PA news agency selects a team of the tournament as the countdown to this summer's British and Irish Lions tour of Australia gathers pace. 15 Blair Kinghorn (Scotland) Scotland's full-back had a memorable campaign, topping the statistics for most carries, metres carried and metres gained. A threat to every defence he encountered. 14 Tommy Freeman (England) Became the first England player to score a try in every game of a Six Nations campaign. Started the tournament as right-wing, then moved to centre against Wales. A Lions certainty. 13 Huw Jones (Scotland) Another strong Lions candidate, the Scotland centre scored four tries, made 52 carries and carried for more than 450 metres. A clever player who makes things happen. 12 Yoram Moefana (France) A largely-unheralded member of the France team, he showed his worth by displaying impressive consistency. Scored two tries in the title-clinching victory over Scotland. 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France) Set a new Six Nations record of eight tries for one tournament and touched down in all five games to match the achievement of Freeman and his fellow France international Philippe Bernat-Salles 24 years ago. Electric pace. 10 Fin Smith (England) At just 22 and with only 11 caps, Smith has rapidly grown into a fly-half of stature, pulling the strings for England with an impressive confidence and composure. 9 Antoine Dupont (France) Suffered a season-ending knee injury during France's pivotal victory over Ireland in round four, but had already done enough to again prove himself a class apart. 1 Ellis Genge (England) England's loosehead and vice-captain potentially moved ahead of Ireland prop Andrew Porter in the Lions Test pecking order. Scrummaged strongly and impressed in all departments. 2 Dan Sheehan (Ireland) Captained his country against Wales and scored five tries in the tournament, including a hat-trick against Italy. Appears nailed on for the Lions Test team. 3 Will Stuart (England) Marked his 50th cap with a try in the rout of Wales, and he has developed into one of England's most consistent players. A quality scrummager who also impresses in the loose. 4 Maro Itoje (England) Sets the highest of standards for himself, and again he did not fall short. Led by example and was the talisman for an England team edged out for the title by France. Must be favourite for the Lions captaincy. 5 Thibaud Flament (France) Missed the first two Six Nations games because of injury, but Flament was at the heart of France's forward effort. The complete package and among a star-studded team's best players. 6 Tom Curry (England) A world-class Six Nations campaign for the England flanker, whose shuddering physicality came to the fore. A huge presence at the breakdown – he made five steals in that area – whose form never dipped. 7 Jac Morgan (Wales) Ben Earl, Rory Darge and Ben Curry were among the opensides who excelled, but Wales captain Morgan's efforts in the face of relentless adversity bordered on heroic. Was the tournament's top tackler with 88. 8 Gregory Alldritt (France) Took over as France captain after Dupont was injured, and led his team to title glory. Made 59 carries across the championship and was at the heart of everything good about Les Bleus.
