British and Irish Lions
Of course in the short-term the Lions will continue to fascinate and entertain in equal measure. But the Lions is a precious concept, and for it maintain its appeal to fans and brands alike, the coach needs to defend the value of the shirt just as much as the players tasked with wearing it.
Realistically, can the British and Irish Lions triumph in New Zealand this summer against the mighty All Blacks, the reigning back-to-back world champions and rugby union's perennial number-one-ranked team - and on their own patch, to boot?
A Six Nations Championship on the eve of a British and Irish Lions campaign always fizzes with more intensity than usual. Players push themselves to the very limit of their athletic abilities in a bid to impress the selectors and gain a coveted place on the aeroplane for a tour which, for most, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and the pinnacle of their rugby career.
Selection for the British and Irish Lions is "the pinnacle of your career", according to Rob Howley, who on Wednesday was confirmed as Warren Gatland's backs coach for next summer's series in New Zealand, where the world's most-famous rugby-playing tourists have won only one previous campaign.
The victorious British and Irish Lions squad returned from Australia as heroes this summer, having secured a historic first series win in 17 years. But if they're not adequately looked after, that could be as good as it gets for the triumphant tourists.
The victorious British and Irish Lions arrived home this morning following their Test series triumph against Australia, just
There is getting it wrong and there is getting it very wrong, and yes, safe to say, my fears and predictions for the last Lions Test were firmly in the latter. It is scant relief to know that I was far from alone, and not an excuse either, but it is a lesson in passing judgements without talking to any of the guys on the ground.
The British and Irish Lions have won their three-match series against Australia following a comprehensive 41-16 victory at
The curtain came down on Ireland star Brian O'Driscoll's British and Irish Lions before the final act on Wednesday, when
British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton has been ruled out of Saturday's Test series decider against Australia in Sydney