Rugby: Foot and mouth threat to Lions tour
Australian Rugby Union officials have revealed they are monitoring the foot and mouth livestock epidemic in Britain, but hope this summer’s Lions tour will not have to be cancelled.
The Lions are scheduled to take part in a three-Test, 10-match tour of Australia in June and July.
But the ARU are concerned that a backlog of Six Nations matches, postponed because of the epidemic, might interfere with the preparations of the Lions, who are due to name their squad on April 12 - four days after the scheduled final round of the Six Nations.
Australian officials are also concerned by reports that English players might be banned from the tour party if Premiership clubs go ahead with a threatened breakaway.
Under International Rugby Board rules no player from a club outside the union is eligible to play for his country or the Lions.
‘‘We are keeping a close eye on the whole situation in the UK,’’ an ARU spokesman said.
