{"id":307831,"date":"2025-07-31T23:56:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-31T23:56:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/307831\/"},"modified":"2025-07-31T23:56:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T23:56:09","slug":"lions-set-to-play-france-in-first-match-of-its-kind","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/307831\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00a0Lions set to play France in first match of its kind"},"content":{"rendered":"

A potential\u00a0British & Irish Lions\u00a0tour of\u00a0France\u00a0has taken a giant step closer to reality, with talks on a \u201cnew business model\u201d set to take place\u00a0next week\u00a0in Melbourne ahead of the second Test against Australia.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bye-Bye Long-Haul?<\/strong><\/p>\n

For fans sick of jet lag and sky-high ticket prices in\u00a0Australia, New Zealand, and\u00a0South Africa, France is emerging as the next big (and far more wallet-friendly) alternative. According to The Guardian<\/a>, the Lions are reportedly very open to exploring the\u00a0ooh-la-lapossibilities with their cross-Channel cousins.<\/p>\n

Join RUCK\u2019s Instagram broadcast channel\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.<\/p>\n

Benazzi\u2019s French Kiss to the Lions<\/strong><\/p>\n

Enter stage left:\u00a0Abdel Benazzi<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 former Les Bleus legend and now vice-president of the French federation (FFR). He\u2019s already been doing the diplomatic rounds, having had \u201cfriendly\u201d chats with Lions brass in Dublin before their warm-up match against Argentina. Now, he\u2019s hopping on a flight to Oz to turn up the heat on France\u2019s bid to host the Lions once again \u2013 a rematch 40 years in the making since their 1989 encounter.<\/p>\n

Benazzi\u2019s pitch? It\u2019s not just one match, but possibly\u00a0two tours\u00a0\u2013 men and women \u2013 in\u00a02027<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a02029<\/strong>, both scheduled ahead of the Lions\u2019 New Zealand expeditions.<\/p>\n

Bonjour Bordeaux, Salut Toulouse<\/strong><\/p>\n

While the current Australia tour has been about as one-sided as a baguette in a boxing match, France is rolling out the red carpet with\u00a0Top 14 titans\u00a0like\u00a0Toulouse<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Bordeaux<\/strong>\u00a0offering competitive warm-up opposition. It\u2019s a mouthwatering alternative \u2013 a proper build-up to what could be a\u00a0Lions vs Les Bleus\u00a0blockbuster series.<\/p>\n

Former Lions scrum-half\u00a0Mike Phillips<\/strong>\u00a0is already all-in, calling a France tour a\u00a0\u201cgamechanger\u201d<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Six Nations Prez Eyes Lions Love-In<\/strong><\/p>\n

Benazzi isn\u2019t stopping at friendly chats. As president of the\u00a0Six Nations<\/strong>\u00a0and a narrowly-defeated candidate for World Rugby chair last year, he\u2019s pushing to make France a\u00a0regular fixture<\/strong>\u00a0on the Lions\u2019 dance card.<\/p>\n

He laid it out clearly:<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIf you look at the legacy and the reputation of the Lions, of course they have the tradition with the south, our position as a neighbour is that we can do something together in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

\u201cWe had contact, not formally, just a friendly chat with the guys from the Lions and they started thinking maybe it would be a good idea. We don\u2019t have a formal decision now but maybe we will talk about having two meetings with the [women] and the Lions and the men and the Lions in the future. Maybe in 2027 and 2029. We don\u2019t think of just one shot, we think of a programme for the future. It\u2019s good for everyone because it\u2019s powerful and we want to share it with this institution.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Good for Everyone\u201d \u2013 Vive le Rugby!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Benazzi\u2019s ambitions are big \u2013 and he\u2019s thinking long-term:<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to spend a bit of time with the staff and just think about how we can build a new business model with this institution between France and the Lions. For me and for France, we want to build something interesting for both. How we can build something bigger for rugby, for everyone around the world with this meeting and secondly, how we can build some business between the two institutions, the Lions and France, and everyone will be happy with that.\u201d<\/p>\n

EDITORS PICKS<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

Updated 2027 Rugby World Cup draw, England get easy group<\/strong><\/p>\n

he tournament\u2019s structure and timing now better reflect current global rankings, thanks to a late pool draw in December this year made possible by reforms in 2022.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a breakdown of the\u00a0predicted groups<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0team bios<\/strong>\u00a0for the RWC 2027:<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfc6\u00a0Group A<\/strong><\/p>\n

South Africa<\/strong>\u00a0\ud83c\uddff\ud83c\udde6
The reigning world champions and four-time RWC winners, the Springboks bring a powerhouse blend of physicality, tactical brilliance, and iconic leadership.<\/p>\n

Argentina<\/strong>\u00a0\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddf7
Los Pumas continue to rise as a Tier 1 nation, combining flair and fearlessness. Semifinalists in 2007 and 2015, they\u2019re known for big-game upsets.<\/p>\n

Samoa<\/strong>\u00a0\ud83c\uddfc\ud83c\uddf8
With deep roots in rugby tradition, Samoa\u2019s raw physicality and natural flair make them one of the most dangerous Tier 2 teams in the game.<\/p>\n

Tonga<\/strong>\u00a0\ud83c\uddf9\ud83c\uddf4
The \u2018Ikale Tahi\u2019 bring bone-crunching tackles and island pride. With several stars playing abroad, Tonga is always capable of springing a surprise.<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf0d\u00a0Group B<\/strong><\/p>\n

New Zealand<\/strong>\u00a0\ud83c\uddf3\ud83c\uddff
The legendary All Blacks need no introduction\u2014three-time world champions with a relentless pursuit of perfection and a legacy of innovation.<\/p>\n

Scotland<\/strong>\u00a0\ud83c\udff4
A Six Nations stalwart, Scotland blends tactical kicking and dynamic playmakers, looking to go beyond the quarterfinals for the first time since 1991.<\/p>\n

Japan<\/strong>\u00a0\ud83c\uddef\ud83c\uddf5
The Brave Blossoms became global darlings in 2019 with a stunning quarterfinal run. Expect lightning-quick rucks and passionate homegrown talent.<\/p>\n

Chile<\/strong>\u00a0\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\uddf1
One of the emerging forces from South America, Chile made its first RWC appearance in 2023. Physical, proud, and improving fast.<\/p>\n

CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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