Ben Calveley expects competitive Force side to face Lions
Tour could open up to other countries such as France
Every big tour is a hectic learning curve as the 2025 British & Irish Lions are already finding. The squad had to call off their post-arrival recovery dip in the Pacific Ocean – a letdown both for local news crews and the lurking sharks off Cottesloe beach – because of inclement weather and the first media squall of the trip has also blown in.
The Lions chief executive, Ben Calveley, has made clear the touring side expect the Wallabies head coach, Joe Schmidt, to make his national players available for their Super Rugby teams before the Test series commencing next month and the host nation has been gently reminded of that contractual detail following the Lions’ arrival in Australia.
“The agreement is very clear; it says that Test players have to be released to play in fixtures leading into that series,” Calveley said at the Lions’ official welcome overlooking the Swan River. “That is our expectation. It’s really important that these games are competitive.
