The future of the British and Irish Lions has been questioned in some circles for its role in an increasingly tight rugby schedule, but tour legend Ieuan Evans is determined to see it continue.
Even though the team tours only once every four years, between the Six Nations, Rugby Championship, World Cup and end-of-year internationals, some have questioned whether the Lions are necessary.
Evans, 57, is among the staunchest of advocates considering he toured three times between 1989 and 1997, and he’s since assumed a role on the Lions board.
The former Wales winger was part of the squads that triumphed in Australia and South Africa, as well as suffering defeat to the All Blacks in 1993, and he wouldn’t see the traditions change.
"It's a unique concept and that's why people love it so much,” Evans told BBC Sport.
"It has a special place in my heart and it still seems to be a special place in current players' hearts and the supporters who want to go out there and watch the games.
"Without a shadow of a doubt it should continue. It is about ensuring the Lions continues to be relevant to the next generations because we are purely just holding onto it as a snapshot and need to leave it in the best possible state.”
Warren Gatland suffered his maiden defeat as head coach of a Lions tour this summer when the travelling team won their first Test in South Africa only to lose the series 2-1.
The 2021 trip is sure to be remembered as one of the most controversial of its kind, with much of the off-field discussion appearing to have a detrimental effect on the entertainment.
South Africa director Rassie Erasmus is currently the subject of a World Rugby disciplinary hearing for comments he made criticising the officials during the series.
Erasmus—head coach for the Springboks’ 2019 Rugby World Cup triumph—featured in a 62-minute video between the first two Tests, questioning more than 25 calls made in the series opener.
Evans—who started in all 72 of his Wales appearances and scored 33 tries—was grateful to this year’s Lions for their efforts but also bemoaned the series defeat as a missed opportunity.
"My reflections firstly is one of gratitude towards the players and levels of their performance,” the former Llanelli and Bath winger said.
"That was an unbelievable task and unbelievable achievement. It is also wrapped up in disappointment because it was a series we could have won, possibly should have won, but that's the nature of Lions tours.
"You have a window of four years and you have to wait a further four years to do anything about it, which is in Australia where we will be going to try and win."
Meanwhile, calls for a women’s Lions (or Lionesses) tour have gathered pace in recent weeks, with a study into the feasibility and logistics of such a series still ongoing.
England prop Shaunagh Brown recently called on unions to “pull their socks up” and legitimise the women’s sport, with England being the only home nation that boasts a professional team at present.
It would be an eerie twist if the men’s team—which first toured in 1888—were to be abolished just as its female counterpart is taking flight, but Evans will be among those campaigning to keep the Lions alive.
