Jac Morgan will return to Wales as a hero after helping the British & Irish Lions to win the series in Australia, but the 2-1 triumph will also be another feather in the cap of Lions chair and tour manager Ieuan Evans.
The three-time tourist as a player, Evans was put in charge of the programme leading to the tour Down Under in October 2022.
The goal was to gain only the sixth series triumph in a three-Test tour in 21 tours since WW2, and by that standard it was ‘Mission Accomplished’.
Evans, of course, scored a vital try in the Lions’ fightback to a 2-1 series win in Australia in 1989 and in heading the challenge 36-years later he has become the third Welsh manager of the Lions to return as a series winner.
''If you weren't captured by the drama of that second Test at the MCG then, quite frankly, you haven't got a soul," said Evans.
"That was exactly what a sporting legacy is all about, that's what sport is supposed to do at such an iconic venue as the MCG.
''If I'd have had a lifestyle watch on at the time, it would have probably told me to go to the ER very, very quickly.
“But we got the result and it was a remarkable performance and again, one of character.
“That needs to drive players to say 'okay, I want a piece of the action. I want to be playing in four years time in New Zealand'”.
In fact, the next Lions tour will be earlier than that when the inaugural British & Irish Lions women’s team head to New Zealand in 2027.
The women’s team were founded under the chairmanship of Evans, who has plenty to feel proud of during his term in charge of the combined team.
The Lions hierarchy have dismissed concerns that the emerging R360 competition will threaten the future of Lions tours, despite the new league not engaging with them.
READ MORE: Jac Morgan Gains Another Backer on Eve of Lions’ Bid for History
Though the proposed R360 schedule appears to put pressure on the traditional Lions window, chief executive Ben Calveley insists their place in the rugby calendar remains assured.
Calveley confirmed that negotiations with New Zealand regarding the 2029 tour are progressing positively and indicated that Andy Farrell, fresh from steering the Lions to their first series triumph in over a decade, is the front-runner to retain the head coach position next time around.
He also signalled that “home” fixtures—such as the one against Argentina in Dublin this June—are set to become a regular feature.
Calveley suggested these games, along with potential clashes against tier-one sides like Fiji and Japan, could take the place of some traditional provincial matches, following underwhelming performances from Australia's Super Rugby franchises.
“We haven’t had any formal discussions at all with R360 so I can’t comment in any detail on their proposition and their proposal,” Calveley said.
Jac Morgan with Lions head coach, Andy Farrell
“What I can say, and you have seen these quotes come from players at every stage throughout the tour, is that they remain absolutely committed to the Lions. We all know that we have our place in the calendar baked into [World Rugby’s] regulation 9 and I wouldn’t see that changing in the future.
“It’s up to them who they want to make contact with. I don’t really want to comment on how they manage their own business. For me, what is encouraging is that our players remain committed to the Lions.
“I think we have seen on this tour just what it means, not just to them but to the fans and the whole of the game. We are very confident that our position in the future is secure.”
The Lions squad returned home on Sunday night, following a 22–12 loss in Sydney that ended hopes of a 3–0 clean sweep. Farrell, having led the team to series victory, hinted at wanting to remain in charge, and Calveley had praise for the Ireland boss.
“He has done a great job and I have really enjoyed working with him,” Calveley said.
“When it comes to our appointments for future tours, we will start the process in about two years and I don’t think it would be right to comment on where it ends up, let’s see. But he has put himself in a very strong position hasn’t he, let’s put it that way.”
Looking ahead, the 2029 New Zealand tour is expected to feature nine matches, plus a warm-up clash, with France a leading option to face the Lions either in the UK or United States.
France has even been floated as a potential tour host, though Calveley affirmed that a return to Australia is planned.
“If you look at the different elements of the tour, you have the pre‑tour, the equivalent of the Argentina game in Dublin, you then have the tour matches and the Test matches.
“Leave the Tests alone. You are not going to do anything with those. We are really keen in doing more in the pre-tour element.
“I would absolutely envisage returning to Australia. Just to be very clear, I know there’s been loads of speculation about whether that would be the case or not, but we’ve had a wonderful tour here, and it is 100% our ambition to return, and we would want the next one to be bigger and better than this one.”
WELSH TOUR MANAGERS WITH BRITISH IRISH LIONS
1910 SA: Walter Rees Assistant Manager Lost 2-1
1924 SA: Harry Packer Manager Lost 3-0
1955 SA: Danny Davies Assistant Manager Drew 2-2
1974 SA: Alun Thomas Manager Won 3-0
1989 Aus: Clive Rowlands Manager Won 2-1
2009 SA: Gerald Davies Manager Lost 2-1
2025 Aus: Ieuan Evans Manager Won 2-1
