SerpApi.Org
The British & Irish Lions could be set to face an opponent for the first time when the men’s team go on tour in 2029.
After the success Down Under in Australia last year, which saw Andy Farrell coach the side to a 2-1 test series win, the Lions will next take the huge trip to New Zealand to face the All Blacks in 2029.
The Lions have only ever beaten the All Blacks in a test series once, winning 2-1 back in 1971 after a 14-14 draw in the fourth test at Eden Park.
Since their first match in 1888, the British & Irish Lions have faced 15 sides, from the Barbarians to the Rest of the World XV to France and the former Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) as well as, of course, the Springboks, Wallabies and All Blacks.
However, they could now be set to face a 16th different side, in the form of fellow Six Nations rivals for the members of the team, Italy.
The Telegraph are reporting that the Lions are in advanced talks to face the Azzurri as part of a European double-header, with them also playing France, before they jet off to New Zealand for the tour.
Italy became a real force in rugby in the 1990s and joined the then Five Nations in 2000. Since then, and especially over the past five years, they have made huge strides in their player development and competitiveness.
This year saw them beat England for the first time in the Six Nations, doing so in spectacular fashion in Rome. Meanwhile, they also recorded a win over Scotland on the opening day en route to avoiding the wooden spoon for the third year on the trot.
The working plan for the match, according to the Telegraph, is to play the game on the Italian Rugby Federation’s centenary on June 23, 2029, before setting out across to France for their final warm-up before heading on tour to New Zealand.
