Focus on the calendar. This year and as in 2024, the top 14 final will be played on June 28. Toulouse, will be reigning champion, will he be in the game again?
If we ask this question, it is that at the same time, the British lions will already be in Australia to prepare their tour against the Wallabies. And that if seen from France, it has little importance compared to final phases of Top 14, for a Briton, this legendary selection represents a lot. But really a lot.
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So much so that the former international hooker Benjamin Kayser, now a consultant in England, sums up this with a lot of humor and efficiency for rugbypass. “Is it like asking a player: ‘Do you prefer your mother or your father?’ That’s exactly it. “
-And to support his words: “Lions are complicated. It’s not a French thing, it’s impossible to understand for clubs and players here.” (…) “Ask Jack Willis to tell Ugo Mola that he does not want to play a top 14 final … we can’t ask him.”
A calendar issue
However, we are almost sure that in the name of their performances since their arrival in the pink city, Willis as Blair Kinghorn deserve to live the Lions adventure. But if Toulouse was in the final on June 28, that would make them miss at least the first 3 preparation games of the Lions, before the first official test which will take place on July 19. However, we do not jack with the Grail for any British rugby player.
Champions Cup. Romain Ntamack at 70%? Why cannot Toulouse do without him facing UBBSO ? Kayser, who played with the old Scottish 2nd line, rightly recalled that in 2009, Nathan Hines had missed the Top 14 final with USAP to join Lions in South Africa. Ditto for Leigh Halfpenny, released by Toulon in 2017 after a monster lobbying, and which did not play the final of the Top 14 lost to Clermont. To finally compete in 8 short minutes of the tour against the All Blacks …
But maybe the 2025 calendar will exceptionally allow Willis and Kinghorn to maintain their dream …
