Warren Gatland fires the British Lions warning to England-based players

British and Irish Lions Coach Warren Gatland has warned players to miss the team's preparation match against Japan on June 26 that they will be at a disadvantage when he makes his final selection for the world champions South Africa tour. Rugby fans can book British lions 2021 tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

The Lions are locked in a battle with Premiership Rugby for the release of players with the final of the competition to be played the same weekend, which falls outside of the World Rugby Regulation 9 period that forces clubs to release. Players.

Gatland has revealed that the Lions are also planning a camp in Wales ahead of the Japan game, which will be important in formulating their draft plans.

"It is not 100% final at this time that the players will not be released, there are still some negotiations that will continue between now and then," Gatland told reporters Wednesday.

But if England has a great Six Nations, it could mean that a third of the players on the Lions team are missing for the Japan game and a camp in Wales last week.

"We want to take the best players on the road, but the reality is that it could affect the national team. If you end up with a 50-50 call to a player, players who may be in camp in Wales and the Japan game could get the go-ahead on someone who is not available until the week before the first game in South Africa."

Warren Gatland

Gatland has suggested that England's players should apply for the release of their clubs.

“Hopefully common sense prevails, to go on a Lions tour and the interest it creates in and out of the sport, you can come back as a superstar. Maybe the players need to express their opinion on that, I think it would be quite powerful,” he said.

Only two of the 12 top-tier English clubs will participate in the final, but Premiership Rugby has said that none will release players before the Regulation 9 window, including Saracens, who will compete in the Championship. The Lions will play three tryouts and five prep games on the tour that runs from July 3 to August. 7.

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