Lions demand Australia release Test players for warm-up matches

The Lions Demand the Release of Australian Trial Players

The British and Irish Lions have issued a warning to Australia, urging the release of their test players for the tour matches against Super Rugby teams. This Saturday, the Lions will face Western Force. Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has allowed Australian players Nick Champion de Crespigny, Dylan Pietsch, Tom Robertson, Darcy Swain and Nic White to participate in the match with the Perth team. However, other Australian players from the Reds, Waratahs and Brumbies, including prominent figures like Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Rob Valetini, will not be involved in these preparation matches.

The Lions’ chief executive, Ben Calveley, stated: “The agreement is very clear: it states that test players must be released to participate in the matches prior to that series. That is our expectation.”

We will play the match this weekend and continue the conversations with Phil Waugh [Rugby Australia CEO] and address it step by step.

Ben Calveley

Calveley added: “It’s really important that these matches are competitive. Not only from a performance point of view, but also for the fans, partners and broadcasters, who expect competitive matches; that would also be their expectation.” On Friday night, the Lions played at the Aviva Stadium, losing 28-24 against Argentina. Tom Curry, Lions flanker, commented that this result will lead to some “difficult conversations”.