As uncovered by the JEP late last week, Warren Gatland’s under-the-radar visit to the Island ended on Friday with news that he is likely to choose Strive in St Peter as a hub for his players if the Lions’ 2021 tour to South Africa is diverted to Europe. The Springboks – the reigning world champions – are understood to be interested as well.
Put simply, securing the presence of either squad would rank among Jersey’s greatest sporting coups. In any sport. Ever.
Yet without the pandemic this opportunity will probably have remained a pipe dream.
Officially, the 2021 tour is still scheduled to take place in South Africa in July and August, but with Covid-19 continuing to hamper both safety and travel there are growing rumours of it being switched to Britain (or Australia). An announcement is due within a fortnight.
A home series for the Lions, featuring an extra Test to facilitate one game apiece in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, would be a once-in-a-lifetime bonanza for some of the best players on the planet and to have our shores mentioned in the same sentence is incredible in itself.
Never before, in 130 years of Lions Test history, has an official series been staged in the northern hemisphere. This is an opportunity that will probably never come again.
Yes, the Lions could hop across the Channel for a pre-tour training blitz in 2025, 2029 or beyond, but with one high-ranking source telling me that two Island hotels have block booked rooms (for what I understand to be a seven-week period from June) it appears officials have offered the Island up as a base for the duration of any adjusted campaign.
In a recent column discussing the return of outdoor activities post-lockdown I criticised the Government of Jersey’s bizarre handling of the current situation – and their apparent refusal to acknowledge the true importance of sport and adult mental health. My view there has not changed, with work still to be done at grassroots level, but in this instance I must give those responsible for strengthening bonds with Lions insiders huge credit.
If a deal comes off, Jersey’s reputation as a global sporting frontrunner would be set for decades. The worldwide publicity would bring untold benefits not just to the sports community but also industries hit hardest throughout the last 12 months. There are already whispers of a Lions-induced tourism boom and Assistant Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham, who along with Deputy Hugh Raymond met Gatland in person last week, has offered public backing for the proposals since the story broke on Saturday.
With the Strive complex due for completion in May and widespread desperation for crumbs of good news growing, the timing could not be better. One of the world’s greatest rugby spectacles is coming soon and with the best of British (and Irish) luck, Jersey could be handed the key supporting role.
