Down under.

Australia has offered to stage this year’s British and Irish Lions series against South Africa, in an interesting move, Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan said on Sunday.

The tour is currently under threat due to the pandemic with several different options being explored including postponing it for a year or hosting it in Britain and Ireland rather than South Africa.

The Lions are scheduled to play eight matches in South Africa, including a three-Test series against the world champion Springboks starting on July 3 in Cape Town.

But the virus continues to run rampant in these countries while Australia has done an excellent job in containing it with fans allowed back into stadiums several months ago

“I spoke to Jurie Roux, the CEO of South African Rugby, a few weeks ago and offered to host the tournament here, considering how dire the COVID situation is in the UK and South Africa,” said McLennan.

“We learned through the Tri-Nations (that) our government can bring high-performance athletes into the country and safely quarantine them.“

“Despite all the difficulties, we need to keep the world moving as best we can. So this was a lateral offer and solution to an issue those guys are facing.

“They may choose to go somewhere else, but the offer is there.”