Contingency.

In an unprecedented move, the British and Irish Lions could end up hosting the Springboks this summer rather than tour South Africa.

Talks are set to continue this month as organisers scramble to come up with contingency plans as a new strain of the coronavirus continues to wreak havoc across the world, spreading at an increasing rate.

Reports last week suggested the tour could be postponed until 2022 but it now looks like it could be instead hosted in Britain and Ireland with the world champions set to go on tour rather than the other way around.

The Lions board has no preference at this stage regarding a preferred option, according to Sky Sports.

The Lions are currently scheduled to play their first match in South Africa against Stormers in Cape Town on July 3,