Lions tour to SA ‘in doubt’ as unions face survival battle

NEXT year’s Lions tour of South Africa could be delayed or scrapped as Wales and the other home unions battle for their survival, according to a report.

The coronavirus pandemic has brought rugby to a shuddering halt and put the future of the professional tier in doubt as it grapples a financial crisis with some key income streams having dried up during lockdown.

Wales, England, Ireland and Scotland are desperate to play their autumn Tests and matches held over from this season’s Six Nations.

If those games don’t go ahead – or are played behind closed doors – the home countries are in danger of falling into an £80m black hole, claims the Mirror.

It claims some officials are already discussing how it could bankrupt the Welsh, Scottish and Irish unions and force them, as well as England, to make drastic plans and re-schedule home Tests in 2021 as a top priority in an effort to stay afloat.

A survival plan would mean the more lucrative home Tests elbowing aside the Lions tour, which would be postponed for a year, or even scrapped completely.

The Welsh Rugby Union rakes in about £4m per home fixture if it is played in front of a 74.000 crowd at the Principality Stadium.

Wales are scheduled to face Japan and the All Blacks (twice) during an end-of-season tour, but it appears highly unlikely to take place.

They are also due to host Fiji, New Zealand, Argentina and South Africa in November, as well as fitting in the postponed Six Nations clash with Scotland.

But it’s unclear whether any of those fixtures will take place on their due dates with the possibility they could be pushed back.

Test rugby is the prime generator of money to bankroll the professional club game and is expected to take precedence when the pandemic is under control and sport eventually gets the green light to restart.

Some players across the four nations have already been placed on furlough, while others have suffered 25% wage cuts.