British And Irish Lions 2021 08/08/2021 - Disappointed But Proud - Warren Gatland - “But it was a proper Test match, it was tough and it was physical and that’s what you want from a Lions series – it’s not going to be easy playing away from home against the world champions. “It was a really tight contest and it could have gone either way but congratulations to South Africa. It was a bit of deja vu with Morne Steyn kicking the winning points. 07/08/2021 - He Did It Again - It all came down to the last eighty minutes of a month-long tour that decided the fate of the 2021 Castle Lager Lions Series. Morné Steyn's penalty with 1 minute to go sealed the test for the Springboks with 19-16. A very even test with the B&I Lions may be a tad unlucky to have lost this test. This is rugby. 04/08/2021 - "We Will Put It Right" - Alun Wyn Jones - “There was an obvious momentum shift. We were second best in the aerial battle and they got momentum from getting to the corners,” said the Lions skipper. “Their set-piece turned up more this week and put us under pressure and there was probably too much momentum for us to shift it back. 03/08/2021 - Gatland Rings Changes For Final Test - British & Irish Lions Head Coach, Warren Gatland, has made six changes to the starting XV which lost to the Springboks last Saturday in Cape Town. The defeat sees the Castle Lager Lions Series level at 1-1 going into this weekend’s final Test match. The Tour’s leading try-scorer, Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby, Wales), makes his Lions Test debut on the right-wing 01/08/2021 - Springbok Win Set Up Winner-takes-all Finale - Gatland - “The players are obviously very disappointed but next Saturday is a cup final and that’s the way we’ve got to look at it and prepare. There are a few things we’ve got to tidy up. “It’s 1-1 and South Africa put a huge amount of emotion into that game so now we’ve got that chance next week to hopefully secure the series win.” 31/07/2021 - Kolisi Leads Springboks To A Brilliant Win - The Springboks and B&I Lions faced each other in the second test at the Cape Town Stadium. the Springboks needed to win this test in order to save the test series and did so in a brilliant display in the second half to win 24-09. Springbok captain led the Springboks to a brilliant win in the second test. The Springboks took control of the match during the last 30 30/07/2021 - Another Nerve Wrecking Test Awaits - The Springboks and B&I Lions will face each other in the second test at the Cape Town Stadium, Saturday @ 18h00. A remarkable second-half comeback saw the B&I Lions recover from 12-3 down at half-time to defeat the reigning world champions 22-17 in the first Test at Cape Town Stadium. 29/07/2021 - “South Africa Are Going To Be Desperate" - Gatland - Warren Gatland wants The British & Irish Lions to avoid using their ‘get out of jail’ card by grasping their opportunity to seal the series against the Springboks with a game to spare. The head coach has made three changes to the team that started their 22-17 win in the first Test last Saturday, with Conor Murray, Mako Vunipola and Chris Harris 27/07/2021 - B&I Lions Name Side For 2nd Test - British & Irish Lions Head Coach, Warren Gatland, has made three changes to the starting XV which beat the Springboks last Saturday to take a 1-0 lead in the Castle Lager Lions Series. Conor Murray (Munster Rugby, Ireland), Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby, Scotland) and Mako Vunipola (Saracens, England) come into the side for the second Test against South Africa at 26/07/2021 - We Will Not Rest On Our Laurels Until The Job Is Done - Jones - “There is still plenty to do and this is a three-Test series. Knowing the calibre of the player and the attitude our opposition have, we have to be better again – first and foremost within ourselves. “But we also have to deal with what we know is going to come next week. There were smiles after the game. In any sport, you 24/07/2021 - What Causes the Passion of the British & Irish Lions? - I've been watching the documentaries on the previous British & Irish Lions tours including the 2009 tour to South Africa, in the build-up to the first match against the Xerox Lions on 3 July. Seeing behind the scenes footage of their training and especially the change room team talk before and after the matches, was quite an eye-opener in terms of the 24/07/2021 - It Is Going To Be Fast, Brutal And Close In Cape Town Today - The Springboks will face the British and Irish Lions this afternoon @ 18h00 at the Cape Town Stadium in the first of three tests. Both coaches said that they expect a brutal battle upfront with the physicality not reserved to the forwards: British & Irish Lions Head Coach, Warren Gatland said “We know what we’re coming up against on 23/07/2021 - I Was Willing To Work Hard To Return - Alan Wyn Jones - “The calibre of player and the simplistic approach is what I’ve used with previous teams and Wales in the past and I’ll continue to do the same thing now. “I have done enough Six Nations launches and the word momentum comes out at everyone. It is exactly the same in this series. You want to get out of the blocks as much as the opposition. 22/07/2021 - "The Hardest Selection Meeting I’ve Ever Been In,” said Gatland - “To see someone like him desperate to get back into rehab and want to be out here to represent the Lions again, it just shows a lot about him as a person and what the Lions means to him.” Gatland also paid tribute to the players who missed out on selection for the opening Test, praising their attitude in training as they help 21/07/2021 - B&I Lions Name Exciting Team For 1st Springbok Test - British & Irish Lions Head Coach, Warren Gatland, has named his side for the first Test against the Springboks at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday 24 July. Tour captain Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, Wales) will skipper the Lions having recovered from a dislocated shoulder sustained in the tourists 28-10 win over Japan at 20/07/2021 - All Test Against B&I Lions Tests To Be Played In Cape Town - SA Rugby and the British & Irish Lions confirmed on Tuesday that agreement had been reached to conclude the Castle Lager Lions Series in Cape Town. The Series was scheduled to return to Gauteng following the first Test in Cape Town on Saturday. However, the decision to remain in Cape Town was made following 17/07/2021 - B&I Lions In Another Brilliant Win Against A South African Franchise - The British & Irish Lions faced the DHL Stormers at the Cape Town Stadium in their last match before facing the Springboks for the first tour test match on 24 July 2021. The B&I Lions continued their dominance over the local franchises with their 49-03 win against DHL Stormers. The Stormers had a great start in the match but during 16/07/2021 - Can The DHL Stormers Blow Away B&I Lions? - The British & Irish Lions will face the DHL Stormers at the Cape Town Stadium on 17 July 2021 for their last match before facing the Springboks for the first tour test match on 24 July 2021. These teams have faced each other 12 times dating as far back as 1891 when the Stormers were known as Western Province. The balance of victories to date is in favour 16/07/2021 - Gatland Admits Test Team Not Decided On At All - Gatland will have his original Tour captain Alun Wyn Jones on the bench this weekend after the most-capped international in rugby union history made a remarkable recovery from a dislocated shoulder suffered in the 28-10 win over Japan at Murrayfield three weeks ago. “We feel if he’s going to put himself in contention he needs 20 minutes,” said 15/07/2021 - B&I Lions Name Team For Stormers - The British & Irish Lions Head Coach, Warren Gatland, has named his team to play the DHL Stormers at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday 17 @ 18h00. Following a period of isolation in Johannesburg, Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs, Scotland), is named captain of a brand new starting XV from the one that went down 17-13 to South Africa ‘A’ on Wednesday evening. 15/07/2021 - DHL Stormers Make Several Changes - Former SA Schools and Junior Springbok captain and current DHL Western Province skipper Van Rhyn will lead the DHL Stormers out for the first time on Saturday, with the home team wearing limited edition heritage jerseys that will be used for this match only. Replica jerseys for this once-off match are available from stormersshop.co.za and blksport.co.za. 15/07/2021 - B&I Lions Bring In Cover At Hooker - Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) will join-up with The British & Irish Lions touring party on Thursday 15 July. The Irish hooker, who trained with the Lions squad in Jersey prior to the start of the Castle Lager Lions Series, will travel together with Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, Wales) to Cape Town. 15/07/2021 - "It’s Going To Be An Extremely Exciting Test Series" - Gatland - “We want to keep the momentum and have an impact in that last 30 minutes or so. We haven’t really as a group of coaches sat down to talk about the Test team. “We tried to allow the players to go in there and have two or three games and then we’ll start trying to nail it down. There are going to be some tight calls and we’ll talk after this 15/07/2021 - We Ran Out Of Steam, But Not Heart – Erasmus - Rassie Erasmus, who coached the South Africa ‘A’ side that defeated the British & Irish Lions 17-13 in Cape Town on Wednesday, said his players ran out of steam, but never out of heart which proved decisive in a match they desperately wanted to win. SA Rugby’s Director of Rugby addressed the media in a virtual press conference with SA ‘A’ captain 14/07/2021 - Springboks Have A Lot Of Hard Work To Do - South Africa "A" played the B&I Lions tonight in a Castle Lager Lions Series match at Cape Town Stadium @ 20h00. SA "A" has to work extremely hard to beat the B&I Lions with 17-13. The SA "A" team started the match like a house on fire, attacking with intend and defending like demons. The SA "A" team were in the lead 17-03 at 14/07/2021 - Alun Wyn Jones Is Back At B&I Lions - The British & Irish Lions Head Coach, Warren Gatland, has today confirmed that Tour captain Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, Wales) will return to the Lions touring party in South Africa. The Welsh lock, who dislocated his shoulder during The Vodafone Lions 1888 Cup game against Japan at Murrayfield on Saturday 26 June, will fly into Cape Town on Thursday 15 July. 14/07/2021 - It Will Be Extremely Close In Cape Town Tonight - South Africa "A" will play the B&I Lions tonight in a Castle Lager Lions Series match at Cape Town Stadium @ 20h00. One can not help thinking that the home team has little to gain and a lot to lose. South Africa needs game time for their stars to prepare for the Test series, however, a loss tonight could be almost "fatal" for the hopes for victory in the 14/07/2021 - DHL Stormers Intent On Testing B&I Lions - “Everyone has been disciplined, the players don’t hang around in each others’ rooms to minimise close contacts if there is a positive. We even do virtual meetings, we really want to see that this match happens and whatever we can do that is in our control we will do that,” he said. Snyman said that given their match against the visiting side is the last one 14/07/2021 - Several Motivating Factors For SA "A" Team - Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick and Lukhanyo Am, who will captain South Africa ‘A’ against the British & Irish Lions at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday night, said there were several factors motivating the team as the Castle Lager Lions Series Tests move into view. While Stick stressed the importance of building on the Springboks’ performance 13/07/2021 - Gatland Did Not Expect SA "A" To Be That Strong - Warren Gatland could not be happier with the star-studded South Africa A team named to take on his British & Irish Lions side as he looks to learn from their 2009 series defeat. “I keep referring back to 2009 when we had the first Test, we had played other teams that were under strength in terms of not having the Springboks and we 12/07/2021 - DHL Stormers vs B&I Lions Match In Serious Doubt - SA Rugby Director of Rugby, Rassie Erasmus hinted that the match between DHL Stormers and the British and Irish Lions might be cancelled in order for the South African squad in camp to play a second match against the B&I Lions as preparation for the upcoming test series. Erasmus claimed that it would be a lot "safer" if they could play on Saturday 12/07/2021 - SA "A" Team Announced With A Few Surprises - Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber named 18 Rugby World Cup winners in a strong South Africa ‘A’ team captained by Lukhanyo Am for their clash with the British & Irish Lions in a Castle Lager Lions Series match at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday. Uncapped Joseph Dweba (hooker) and Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg (lock) were also among the 25 named – 12/07/2021 - B&I Lions Team Announced To Battle SA "A" - The British & Irish Lions Head Coach, Warren Gatland, has named his team to play South Africa ‘A’ at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday 14 July. Tour captain Conor Murray (Munster, Ireland) is named skipper of a starting XV which has 12 changes to the team that defeated Cell C Sharks 31-71 at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday evening, with Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 10/07/2021 - What If? Will Not Count As B&I Lions Demolish 14man Sharks - Today’s clash between the Cell C Sharks and British & Irish Lions offered the Durban side the opportunity for redemption when they meet for the second time in just four days. The B&I Lions winning 66-31 after a red card was awarded against Jaden Hendrikse with 25 minutes to go. With 25 minutes to go and the score level at 26-26, the Sharks 10/07/2021 - B&I Lions Announce Injury Cover Coming To South Africa - The British & Irish Lions head coach, Warren Gatland, has called up Marcus Smith (Harlequins, England) as injury cover for Finn Russell (Racing 92, Scotland). Smith, who featured for England against Canada at Twickenham today, will fly to Cape Town on Sunday to join up with the Lions touring party. 09/07/2021 - B&I Lions Announce Team For Cell C Sharks @ Loftus - The British & Irish Lions Head Coach, Warren Gatland, has named his team to play Cell C Sharks for this Saturday’s match at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria (kick off 18:00). Jamie George (Saracens, England) is named captain of a starting XV which has 13 changes to the team that played the same opposition earlier this week, with only Elliot Daly 09/07/2021 - Cell C Sharks Announce Vastly Changed Team For B&I Lions Episode 2 - “Respect for the ball is really important,” he stated emphatically. “We do create opportunities but we need to show patience, we can’t force the passes or put kicks through, we need to hold on to the ball for an extra phase because somewhere along the line, the wall can break. We didn’t show enough patience with the ball on attack 09/07/2021 - Warren Gatland Pleased With Improved Defensive Showing Against Sharks - “They managed to get a few passes away and they stretched us a bit but I thought defensively we looked very strong and we created some opportunities and finished off some great tries. “They posed a little bit of a different defensive threat, different to what the Sigma Lions did the other night so we had to play through them 08/07/2021 - B&I Lions And Cell C Sharks To Meet Again At Loftus Versfeld - The British & Irish Lions will play back-to-back matches against the Cell C Sharks, it was announced on Thursday. SA Rugby and the Lions have agreed to replace the Vodacom Bulls with the Cell C Sharks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday (kick-off 18h00 SAT, 17h00 BST), after the former was ruled out because of COVID-19 infections. 08/07/2021 - "I Think The Pace Of The Game Caught Us" - Sean Everitt - While the British & Irish Lions may have completed a fairly comprehensive victory over the Cell C Sharks in their second tour match on Wednesday evening, the statistics indicate that they had to work hard for the win. Taking nothing away from the tourists, they deserved their victory, the result is not in question; but given the Cell C Sharks 07/07/2021 - Clinical B&I Lions Rewrite Record Books Against Cell C Sharks - The Sharks took on the British & Irish Lions at Emirates Park on 7 July 2021 in the second match of their tour to South Africa. The B&I Lions rewrote the record books with their biggest win (margin) over the Sharks with 47-07. The B&I Lions was forced to make ten changes to their matchday squad to play the Cell C Sharks due to COVID19 07/07/2021 - B&I Lions Announce New Team To Face Cell C Sharks - The British & Irish Lions can confirm that one player and a member of the Lions management team has tested positive for COVID-19 following PCR testing as part of the Tour screening programme which took place on Wednesday 7 July. The two individuals had a total of 12 close contacts – eight players and four staff members – all of whom have been 07/07/2021 - Positive Covid19 Results In B&I Lions Camp Cause Kick-off Delay For Sharks Match Tonight - The British & Irish Lions confirmed that a member of its management team has tested positive for COVID-19 following a lateral flow test as part of the Tour screening programme which took place on Wednesday 7 July. The individual and four close contacts – including two players and two members of staff – 07/07/2021 - "Time To Make History" - Sean Everitt - It’s not going to be easy. It never is. The Lions have a great record against the local provincial sides they play – be that in South Africa, New Zealand or Australia – but it has to be remembered that these matches pit a full-fledged international side boasting the best of the four countries making up their squad against a provincial team missing their 07/06/2021 - B&I Lions Match Versus Vodacom Bulls On Hold Due To COVID-19 - The British & Irish Lions’ Castle Lager Lions Series match against the Vodacom Bulls on Saturday has been postponed with a view to rescheduling or to accommodate an alternative opponent, while the Springboks’ second Test against Georgia on Friday is also being reviewed. Four Bulls players and one member of management 06/07/2021 - Will The Cell C Sharks Have Enough Bite To Beat B&I Lions? - The Sharks will take on the British & Irish Lions at Emirates Park on 7 July 2021 in the second match of their tour to South Africa. These teams faced each other for the first time in 1924 during the British & Irish Lions' fourth tour to South Africa when the Sharks were known as Natal. To date, the teams have faced each other 7 times with the Lions. 06/07/2021 - Gatland Gave His Loose-trio Licence To Thrill - “There’s a huge amount of competition in the back row and I spoke to them all last night and just said, ‘Look, you’ve got a licence from me to get your hands on the ball’,” Gatland said. “I want them to express themselves. I said they are probably not renowned as lineout experts but you have to play to your strengths, and they are strong defenders and great ball 05/07/2021 - B&I Lions Announce Team To Face Cell C Sharks - Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, England), Josh Navidi (Cardiff Rugby, Wales) and Adam Beard (Ospreys, Wales) will make their Lions debuts on Wednesday evening when the tourists take on Cell C Sharks at Emirates Airline Park (kick off 7pm). Ireland lock, Iain Henderson (Ulster Rugby, Ireland), will captain the Lions for the first time, while Tour Captain, Conor 05/07/2021 - Sharks Announce Team For B&I Lions - A British & Irish Lions tour only comes around every 12 years and fortunate are the players representing their provincial franchises who get to take part in this piece of history not reserved for many rugby players. On Wednesday evening, the Cell C Sharks will be taking on a powerful Lions’ side that despatched their local namesakes the Sigma Lions 56-14 in an eight try 03/07/2021 - Experienced B&I Lions Slaughtered Young Sigma Lions - The long-awaited British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa kicked off at Emirates Park with a resounding 56-14 victory for the British & Irish Lions against the Sigma Lions, who despite a spirited effort was unable to match the experience and skill of the British & Irish Lions team. The Sigma Lions came out roaring in the first half, however, true to nature the 03/07/2021 - Time For Revenge At Emirates Airline Park - Excitement is at its peak for the long-awaited British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa that will kick off with their first match against the Sigma Lions at Emirates Park on 3 July 2021. These teams have faced each other 13 times dating as far back as 1891 when the Lions were known as Transvaal. The balance of victories to date is in favour of the British & Irish 01/07/2021 - Sigma Lions Announce Squad To Face B&I Lions On Saturday - Jordan Hendrikse is back and ready to start for the Sigma Lions when they meet the British and Irish Lions at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday. This will be the first match the visiting Lions have played on South African soil in 12 years. Burger Odendaal and Sti Sithole also return to matchday 23. Lions head coach, Ivan van Rooyen is 01/07/2021 - B&I Lions Announce Team For Tour Opener In Johannesburg - Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs, Scotland) will captain The British & Irish Lions in the opening match of the 2021 Castle Lager Lions Series when the tourists take on the Lions this Saturday. The Scottish fullback will lead an all-new starting XV to the one that defeated Japan 28-10 in Edinburgh last weekend to win The Vodafone 28/06/2021 - Lions Announced Squad For B&I Lions Match On Saturday - The Lions has announced a squad of players who have entered into a bubble in preparation for their match against the touring B&1 Lions on Saturday. 27/06/2021 - B&I Lions Forced To Replace Two Players And Appoint New Tour Captain - Welsh duo Adam Beard (Ospreys, Wales) and Josh Navidi (Cardiff Rugby, Wales) have been called into The British & Irish Lions 37-man touring squad to replace Tour captain Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, Wales) and Justin Tipuric (Ospreys, Wales). Jones and Tipuric both sustained Tour-ending shoulder injuries during 26/06/2021 - Furlong Excited To Get Up And Close With Steven Kitshoff - As one of the world’s best tighthead props, Tadhg Furlong certainly knows a thing or two about scrummaging on the biggest stages – whether for Ireland or The British & Irish Lions. Furlong started all three Tests four years ago as the Lions secured a historic draw against New Zealand, having only started nine games for his country 23/06/2021 - B&I Lions Team Announced To Play Japan - “We’re anticipating a tough game against Japan – a side that like to play at a high-tempo and shift the ball,” said Gatland. “We saw throughout the World Cup they have attacking threats across the park and a solid defence and set piece. “I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made during our training camp in Jersey so far, but we’ve a long way to go. You can see that the 18/06/2021 - The British & Irish Lions Moving At A Nice Pace - McBryde - And the Welshman hopes that light approach can inspire his pack to go toe-to-toe against the Springboks this summer. McBryde is already hard at work preparing the forwards for the Castle Lager Lions Series next month but admits his job is almost redundant due to the quality and experience at his disposal. That is until he thinks about the size of the
