British & Irish Lions: Landmark agreement made for players to share profits in tour of Australia
Having been defeated in a Covid-impacted tour of South Africa back in 2021, the British & Irish Lions will be aiming to make it a second successive series win in Australia; watch every match from the Lions' tour of Australia on Sky Sports next summer
Monday 7 October 2024 13:40, UK
British & Irish Lions will get a share of profits during their tour of Australia in 2025 after a landmark agreement was struck.
The Lions tasted series success the last time they were on Australian soil in 2013, with a dramatic 2-1 series win following a memorable performance in the decisive final Test.
They will play three Tests against Australia, plus six warm-up matches next summer, with every match live on Sky Sports.
- Kevin Sinfield to continue coaching role with England Rugby
- Red Roses prove far too strong for Black Ferns in WXV1
- Latest rugby union headlines, highlights and reports
- Rugby union: Latest fixtures, results and tables
The new agreement will also see a training camp before the tour and pre-tour Lions 1888 Cup match in June, with increased collaboration with players on scheduling and preparations.
Players earned a reported £45,000, plus bonuses, for the last tour in South Africa in 2021, which ended in a 2-1 defeat.
Trending
- World Darts Championship LIVE! Aspinall demolishes Pietreczko to reach quarter-finals
- Transfer Centre LIVE! Wolves make Danso top centre-back target in January
- World Darts Championship schedule: Littler faces Joyce on Monday night
- Maddison snaps back at fan after 'unacceptable' Ally Pally appearance
- Man Utd latest: 'Club struggling to tie Garnacho and Mainoo down to new deals'
- Live on Sky - Man Utd vs Newcastle preview: Could Maguire captain hosts?
- Maguire: Amorim job harder because he's 'total opposite' of Ten Hag
- Maupay: Whenever I'm having a bad day I check Everton score and smile
- Ipswich vs Chelsea preview: Maresca to make changes
- PL Predictions: Man Utd to show signs of life
"Being selected as a Lion is considered by many players to be the pinnacle of their career," said England player Jamie George.
"Wearing the jersey brings with it a unique duty, not only to perform on the day, but to uphold a legacy for the generations of Lions to come. To have the players' voice heard and valued in shaping the team's future is a very welcome development."
Lions CEO Ben Calveley added: "We know that players love playing for the Lions, and it is the pinnacle of their professional careers, and this landmark agreement highlights how they are at the centre of our thinking.
"I would like to thank Simon Keogh of Rugby Players Ireland who acted on behalf of all the Unions from a player representative perspective and was integral in bringing all of this together. I would also like to thank our Unions who each played a key role in the development of this agreement which crucially reflects the value we place on our players.
"This announcement reflects the Lions integral role within an aligned professional rugby ecosystem and follows the announcement of our strategic partnership with Premiership Rugby and United Rugby Championship, and the joint venture with Rugby Australia for next year's Tour."
Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app, giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.
