Ex-Wales skipper Ieuan Evans succeeds Jason Leonard in Lions role
Former Wales captain Ieuan Evans will succeed Jason Leonard as chair of the British and Irish Lions board. Evans, 58, takes up the post on October 1, the Lions announced on Wednesday.
Evans played in seven Lions Tests across three tours - Australia (1989), New Zealand (1993) and South Africa (1997) - and won 72 Wales caps, scoring 33 tries. He also skippered his country to the Five Nations Championship title in 1994.
“Having toured with the Lions at the peak of my international career, it is an honour to be appointed chairman of the British and Irish Lions board,” Evans said. “Lions tours are unique in the world of sport, both in terms of the ultimate challenge they represent and the cultural impact they have.”
Lions managing director Ben Calveley added: “I have no doubt Ieuan will lead the board in our mission to deliver rugby with purpose to players, fans, the game and communities we visit.
“I would also like to thank and pay tribute to Jason Leonard for his commitment and excellent term since being appointed in 2019.” The Lions’ next tour is to Australia in 2025.
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Hi Nick. Thanks for your +++ ongoing analysis. Re Vunivalu, He’s been benched recently and it will be interesting to see what Kiss does with him as we enter the backend of SRP. I’m still not sold.
Go to commentsIn the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
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