British and Irish Lions chief executive Ben Calveley issues warning to Joe Schmidt and Australia over player releases - 'Agreement is very clear'
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Published 23/06/2025 at 15:41 GMT+1
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The British and Irish Lions' chief executive Ben Calveley reminded Australia of their commitment to release their internationals for pre-Test series warm-up matches, with the first coming on June 28 against Western Force. The Wallabies' head coach Joe Schmidt had previously expressed a desire to "safeguard" his squad and later softened his stance to a "mix and match" approach.
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The British & Irish Lions' chief executive has fired a warning shot towards Australia, demanding their internationals be released to play in warm-up matches.
Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt had previously claimed he wanted to "safeguard" up to 25 first-team stars, potentially preventing them from playing in the four Lions games against Super Rugby sides.
While internationals such as Darcy Swain, Nic White, Dylan Pietsch, Nick Champion de Crespigny and Tom Robertson have been released to represent Western Force on June 28, Carlo Tizzano and Ben Donaldson have been hitherto retained.
But Lions chief executive Ben Calveley reminded Australia that their agreement - that internationals should be released to feature in pre-Test series matches - is "very clear".
"We'll see a competitive fixture at the weekend and that's what we're looking for," said Calveley.
"We want to make sure our guys are battle-hardened when it comes to the Test series.
"The agreement is very clear - it says that Test players have to be released to play in fixtures leading into that series. That is our expectation.
"We'll play the game at the weekend and will carry on having discussions with [Rugby Australia chief executive] Phil Waugh and take it step by step.
"It's really important that these games are competitive. It's not just from a performance standpoint, but it's also right for the fans, partners and broadcasters who are all expecting competitive fixtures."
Three more matches against Super Rugby sides follow the Lions' first on Australian soil, with Queensland Reds, NSW Waratahs and ACT Brumbies hosting the tourists before an invitational Australia and New Zealand team provide the final challenge prior to the three-match Test series against Australia.
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Schmidt had said in May that he wanted to give those unlikely to feature in the Test series an opportunity to play against the Lions.
"The policy is that we’d probably be very keen to safeguard out what we perceive to be 23 or 24, 25, and then the rest of the squad for them to get the games and to get to play against the Lions," said Schmidt.
"We don’t want to deprive someone of the opportunity of playing against the Lions if they’re not going to get the Test jersey at the time.
"But we know that the Lions, you never get through unscathed, so we know that we’re going to need people."
The New Zealander softened his stance slightly earlier in June, however, saying it would be "mix and match".
"It’ll be a mix and match I think. There may be some guys named in the Wallaby squad who don’t actually join us when we assemble," Schmidt said.
"One thing we’re conscious of is a) making sure our clubs are competitive and b) some of these guys haven’t played – it’ll be four or five weeks since they’ll have played.
"So to get a game under their belt before they actually come into Wallaby camp may be the most advantageous situation for us."
Australia host Fiji in their sole warm-up game on Sunday, July 6 before the first Test against the British & Irish Lions is held on Saturday, July 19.
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