Lions captain has cause for quiet confidence going into
Japan warmup but the pandemic continues to induce unease
It has not yet been decided whether the match on Saturday between the
British &
Irish Lions and Japan warrants Test status. It will not be known for some time, and in many ways this sums up the fixture neatly.
The first matches of Lions tours tend to act as early signposts towards the Test series, sparking debate over selection that will continue for weeks. This time, though, perhaps the overriding sense is just relief the Lions have got themselves to the start line. What happens on the pitch arguably matters less than the fact it is happening at all.