Currently, the British & Irish Lions' presence in Melbourne’s Southbank, deep in Aussie rules territory, goes almost unnoticed. The city shows little interest in rugby union, and while red-clad supporters will arrive by the weekend, for now, the event barely registers. "Some kind of festival happening, I think," remarked one taxi driver.
This isn’t meant as criticism of Australia—a sports-loving nation where, as prop James Slipper notes, people rally behind their national teams regardless of the sport. However, if judging the essence of a Lions tour—uniting four unions to challenge southern hemisphere giants against the odds—this series has already strayed from tradition, given the Lions are strong favorites. This shift invites discussions about alternative opponents, including France.
Financially, a Lions tour to France makes sense. The 2023 World Cup left France with a €13m deficit, according to an audit report, but World Rugby saw record revenues of €500m. The infrastructure is clearly capable.
Competitiveness also matters. The current series risks being one-sided, strengthening the argument for a change. Contrast this with the potential thrill of facing top French clubs like Toulouse, Bordeaux, or La Rochelle—matches that could maintain intensity from the start, as seen in New Zealand in 2017.
France’s depth means even without certain internationals, their teams would remain formidable. As federation vice-president Abdel Benazzi told *CuriosityNews*, Fabien Galthié builds a strong pool of players, ensuring replacements step up seamlessly.
None of this implies Australia should lose future tours—only that France offers a worthy alternative.
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