England's top rugby administrator has guaranteed the future of Lions tours for at least another 15 years. Not everyone will be happy with Ritchie's pledge, because he has confirmed that future tours will be reduced by two, and now consist of eight games. He also wants Lions coach Warren Gatland to talk to those clubs about what is needed to ensure Lions teams can be successful. However, Ritchie - who is in New Zealand - confirmed to the Telegraph that Lions tours would be reduced from 10 to eight games. Ritchie said: "It was quite categorically agreed in San Francisco that the next 12 years would be protected (for Lions tours).

Source: New Zealand Herald July 05, 2017 21:56 UTC