Lions Discuss Potential USA Fixtures And Warn Australians Of Tour Agreement
Lions Discuss Potential USA Fixtures And Warn Australians Of Tour Agreement
Lions CEO Ben Calveley warns Australia’s Joe Schmidt to release test stars for tour games or risk breaching the agreement ahead of the 2025 test series.
British and Irish Lions CEO Ben Calveley has issued a stern warning to Australia head coach Joe Schmidt, insisting the Wallabies must release their top test players for provincial matches ahead of next month’s opening test in Brisbane—or risk breaching the terms of the 2025 tour agreement.
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Speaking in Perth on Monday, Calveley made clear the Lions’ expectation that Schmidt will honor the agreement signed between the Lions and the Australian Rugby Union, which stipulates that Wallabies stars must be available for selection in lead-up fixtures before the three-test series begins July 19.
“The agreement is very clear,” Calveley said. “It says that test players have to be released to play in fixtures leading into that series. That is our expectation.”
This year marks the first time the Lions and ARU are commercial partners for the entire tour, sharing profits across all matches. In return, Australia agreed to make frontline internationals available for provincial sides facing the Lions in their warm-up games.
However, Schmidt already has suggested he may protect his top-tier players for the tests, a move that has left the Lions camp wary.
While a handful of Wallabies—scrum-half Nic White and lock Darcy Swain—will feature for the Western Force in Saturday’s clash in Perth, there’s been no guarantee more will follow.
Calveley emphasized the importance of strong opposition in the five matches leading up to the first test, referencing previous tours where Lions squads entered key matches underprepared due to home nations shielding their stars.
“We want to make sure our guys are battle-hardened when it comes to that series against the Wallabies,” Calveley said. “It’s really important that these games are competitive. It’s not just for performance—it’s also what fans, partners and broadcasters expect.”
The Lions are coming off a stinging 28-24 loss to Argentina in Dublin last Friday, a result that intensified calls for the Pumas to be included in future Lions tours.
While Calveley said the Lions would stick with the traditional Australia-South Africa-New Zealand rotation, he hinted at possible expansion.
“There are lots of different options,” he said. “Everyone in rugby is interested in breaking through in North America. We’ve had discussions involving France, Japan and Fiji. We’re open and flexible.”
Calveley did not rule out a pre-tour fixture in Las Vegas ahead of the 2029 New Zealand tour, signaling growing interest in reaching new global audiences.
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