Aussies worried about effect of foot-and-mouth on Lions
March 1, 2001

Australian Rugby Union officials said Thursday they were monitoring the foot-and-mouth livestock epidemic in Britain but hoped the Lions tour would not have to be cancelled.

The British and Irish Lions are scheduled to play a three-Test, 10-match tour of Australia in June-July.

But the ARU was concerned a backlog of European Six Nations matches, postponed because of the epidemic, might interfere with the preparations of the Lions, who were due to name their squad on April 12 -- four days after the
scheduled final round of the Six Nations.

Australian officials were also concerned by reports that English players might be banned from the tour party if English clubs go ahead with a
threatened breakaway.The clubs say they are owed 800,000 pounds by the English Rugby Football Union and have served notice they will set up their own championship.

Under International Rugby Board rules no player from a club outside the union is eligible to play for his country or the Lions.

"We are keeping a close eye on the whole situation in the UK," an ARU
spokesman said.

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