No fans on Lions tour would be ‘a travesty’ for captain Jones
The coronavirus has forced borders to be closed and the likelihood of fans being barred from stadiums could see the Springboks head north to face the Lions.
Former Lions captain Alun Wyn-Jones will lead Wales in the Six Nations, hoping for a better performance than they had in their 2020 campaign. Picture: Getty Images
Former British and Irish Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones said on Tuesday no fans during this year’s South Africa tour would be a “travesty.”
Doubts over the fixtures have increased due to the coronavirus pandemic’s situation in the Rainbow Nation.
Jones, 35, who has made nine Test appearances for the Lions, said fellow Lions stalwarts and captains of their respective Six Nations teams, England’s Owen Farrell, Ireland’s Johnny Sexton and Scotland’s Stuart Hogg, all want the tour to happen in 2021.
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“It would be travesty if the fans won’t be able to go and see it,” said Wyn-Jones at the launch for this year’s Six Nations.
“Having been involved in a few tours it’s very special as the fans make it that way. From the captains’ point of view, we’re all in agreement that if it can it should go ahead this year.
“I think it needs to go ahead this year. The jury’s out over where it’s going to happen,” he said.
Wales skipper Jones has missed seven weeks of action after suffering a knee injury in December’s victory over Italy but said he will be fit to host Ireland on February 7.
“I’ve been up and running for two to three weeks,” Jones.
“All that’s progressed really well and I’m back in team training so I wait for selection,” he added.
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