English Clubs Are Killing The British & Irish Lions Says Rugby Legend

Rugby legend Willie John McBride fears English rugby clubs could “kill” future British and Irish Lions tours.

McBride, a legendary Lion who was part of their 1971 series win in New Zealand said he would “hate to see a time when the English clubs do not allow their players to represent the Lions.”

The former Ireland lock, who played 17 tests on five Lions tours between 1962 and 1974, said Lions tours had to be at least 12 games long to allow players the time to bond.

“The Lions is something really special in our game,” McBride told Gloucestershire Live

“With less games and short preparation the importance of the Lions is diminishing and it has done so since the game went professional in 1995.

“The plans to shorten the tours are dreadful.

“They must be a minimum of 12 games long to give players a chance to bond together as a team.”

McBride claims English clubs are killing the Lions.

“It is the English clubs that are deciding what is happening.

“I would hate to see a time when the English clubs do not allow their players to represent the Lions.

“It is those club that are killing the Lions.”