Former Exeter Chiefs player Nic White has been released to play against the Lions for Western Force on Saturday Western Force v British and Irish Lions Date:Saturday, 28 JuneVenue:Optus Stadium, PerthTime:11:00 BST The British and Irish Lions have warned Australia the Wallabies' superstars must appear for their Super Rugby sides in the tourists' pre-Test series matches. The Lions will take on Western Force in their first match on Australian soil on Saturday, with five Wallabies - Nick Champion de Crespigny, Dylan Pietsch, Tom Robertson, Darcy Swain and Nic White - released to the Perth-based side for the match. However, their club team-mates Carlo Tizzano and Ben Donaldson are among those who have been retained by Australia head coach Joe Schmidt. "We'll see a competitive fixture at the weekend and that's what we're looking for," said Lions chief executive Ben Calveley. "We want to make sure our guys are battle-hardened when it comes to the Test series. "The agreement is very clear - it says that Test players have to be released to play in fixtures leading into that series. That is our expectation. "We'll play the game at the weekend and will carry on having discussions with [Rugby Australia chief executive] Phil Waugh and take it step by step. "It's really important that these games are competitive. It's not just from a performance standpoint, but it's also right for the fans, partners and broadcasters who are all expecting competitive fixtures." Schmidt has been keen to protect his star players from injury by keeping them in camp and out of their club sides, but may now be persuaded to relax that stance. The Lions play fixtures against the Queensland Reds, ACT Brumbies and NWS Waratahs before taking on Australia in the first Test in Brisbane on 19 July. The Lions match against Waratahs is on the same weekend as Australia's solitary warm-up match against Fiji, meaning the likes of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Angus Bell and Taniela Tupou are only likely to get first sight of the Lions in the three-Test series. The Lions' final match before the series starts is against an invitational side featuring Australian and New Zealand players in Adelaide. However, while Les Kiss - who will succeed Schmidt as Australia head coach in July 2026 - has been named as the team's head coach, he still doesn't have any players publicly committed to play in the match. New Zealand fly-half Richie Mo'unga, who is ineligible for the All Blacks while fulfilling a lucrative contract in Japanese club rugby, had been lined up as a headline act but is out of contention with a broken hand. Former Australia captain Michael Hooper has also ruled out coming out of retirement for the match. Four years ago, Covid restrictions prevented Springbok players turning out for their club side in the build-up to their Test series, but Rieko Ioane, Sonny Bill Williams, Sam Whitelock and Jordie Barrett all played in warm-ups against the Lions on the 2017 tour of New Zealand. The Lions attended a 'Welcome to Country' ceremony at Perth's King Park on Monday Calveley also admitted adding to the Lions' usual roster of destinations held appeal. Currently the Lions tour ever four years, alternating between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. However, their first women's side will travel to New Zealand in 2027 and Calveley says there is appetite for further innovation around the team's schedule. The strength of France's national and club sides, the popularity of the sport among the French public and the relative affordability of following the tour for Lions fans have seen it flagged as a future option. "We remain open to having discussions about what the future for the Lions may hold, but those conversations are for another time," Calveley said. "You can certainly understand why people will get excited about that sort of concept [a series in France]. "What's not to like about some of those wonderful clubs you could play against and some of those wonderful venues in the summertime as well? "I've seen the feedback over the last couple of weeks from various people ⦠and it was enormously positive. But we're focused now on this tour."
Lions demand Wallaby stars play in tour games
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"Lions Expect Wallaby Stars to Compete in Pre-Test Matches"
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TruthLens AI Summary
The British and Irish Lions have made it clear that they expect key Wallaby players to participate in their pre-Test matches, which are crucial for the team's preparation ahead of their series against Australia. The Lions are set to face the Western Force on June 28, 2023, in Perth, and have had five Wallabies released to play: Nick Champion de Crespigny, Dylan Pietsch, Tom Robertson, Darcy Swain, and Nic White. However, some other players, such as Carlo Tizzano and Ben Donaldson, have been retained by Australian head coach Joe Schmidt for training, as he aims to minimize the risk of injury among his top players. Lions chief executive Ben Calveley emphasized the importance of competitive fixtures, not only for the performance of the team but also for the expectations of fans, partners, and broadcasters who are looking forward to high-quality matchups. The Lions have a series of matches lined up against other Australian teams before their first Test against Australia in Brisbane on July 19, 2023.
As the Lions prepare for their tour, there is also speculation surrounding the future of their scheduling and potential locations for future tours. Calveley noted the possibility of expanding the Lions' reach beyond their traditional destinations of Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, suggesting interest in playing in France due to the country's strong rugby culture and fan engagement. This comes as they plan for their first women's tour to New Zealand in 2027, indicating a willingness to innovate and adapt the Lions' touring model. Meanwhile, the Lions' upcoming match against an invitational team in Adelaide is also raising questions about player availability, as key Australian players have yet to confirm their participation. The excitement surrounding the Lions' tour continues to build, with discussions about future opportunities still on the horizon.
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