The 2013 British and Irish Lions tourist who could be in opposition in 2025

Former second-row Geoff Parling may well be using his intimate knowledge of British and Irish Lions rugby when he potentially stands in opposition in 2025.

The schedule was announced for the series in Australia on Wednesday, with the tourists playing five warm-up matches before the opening Test against the Wallabies.

Three days on, between the first and second Tests, they will take on the Melbourne Rebels, a team that Parling has coached since 2019.

The 2013 tour

As a lock, he became a key player for England in 2012, earning selection for the Lions a year later, and started in two of the three Tests.

Parling therefore understands how special it is for individuals in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

“It’s in the back of your mind at the start of the season that there’s a Lions tour at the end of the season and their form can push them into selection,” he told rugby.com.au.

“For everyone in the four countries, it’s massive.”

The Lions fans are also a huge part of the tour and they will no doubt travel down to Australia in their numbers in 2025.

With the last tour being played in front of empty stands due to Covid, it will be the first time in eight years that supporters will have seen the Lions in person.

“I remember during the week Monday you’d see a few (red) shirts, Tuesday a few more and then you’d keep going through the cities and when you get to Friday, you’d come back from training and they would be red shirts and noise everywhere from the shirts and the bars,” Parling said.

“People who are hosting tours, geez you’re going to get some tourism and people, the bars are going to open up. It was just fantastic.

“You’ve got COVID (limiting travel) from four years ago but it’s also a really good place to travel

“I had mates come out in camper vans and drove from the east coast following the different games. They can even say to the wife ‘Let’s go on holiday’ and sell it as a holiday but really it’s for rugby.”

Bolstering the Rebels squad

With the Rebels match taking place in the midst of the Test matches, the Melbourne outfit may be deprived of a few of their internationals.

There has been talk of them bolstering their side with Pacific Island players, but it was of news to the 39-year-old.

“That was the first I’ve heard of it,” Parling said.

“We have a strong link to the Pasifika community at the Rebels anyway but in terms of the details, I’m not quite sure.”

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