The 2-1 series defeat to South Africa was marred by a pandemic off the pitch and some very bland rugby on it
Another British & Irish Lions series, another story of nagging regret. Congratulations to a South Africa team that kept their nerve better when it mattered but this tour has not left everyone eagerly counting down the days until the scheduled trip to Australia in 2025.
Regardless of the outcome in Saturday’s third Test, the past few weeks have raised several uncomfortable issues for the Lions and rugby as a whole. In some ways it has been a perfect storm: Covid-19, no travelling fans, social media anger, limited attacking rugby, mediocre provincial opposition and blatant Springbok gamesmanship have all combined to showcase the game in a murky light. Which raises the most apocalyptic question of the lot: if the Lions are no longer widely viewed as a force for good in both hemispheres and start to become little more than an occasional cash cow, what is their long-term value?
Related: Can Springboks ever get beyond their ends-justify-the-means approach? | Gerard Meagher
Related: Search starts for new outlook after turgid tour robs Lions of their lustre | Michael Aylwin
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