Gordon Bulloch feels the home unions need to rethink thir seasons if the Lions are to compete
Gordon Bulloch believes the success of any future Lions tour hinges on a complete overhaul of the British and Irish domestic seasons.
With the tour to New Zealand falling just 18 months after the 2003 World Cup, Gordon is convinced the Lions need a lengthy break if they are to challenge the All Blacks during the three Test-series.

The Leeds-bound hooker, who was the only Scot to win a Test cap when he came on as a replacement for Shane Byrne in Saturday's 38-19 defeat, thinks a refreshed and healthy Lions squad would not have suffered a whitewash in New Zealand.

"In the last two seasons we've had the World Cup and now the Lions tour. We haven't any time off in between," said Gordon in the Press and Journal.

"You've got to look at the situation and decide whether or not it's good preparation.

"Players tend to carry long-term injuries, I know some have been injured out here, and I think all of the domestic seasons are too long.

"We've got to learn from this mistake in the northern hemisphere and try to improve. The New Zealand team are on top form right now. If you compare that to the Lions, the English are rebuilding and Ireland maybe peaked two years ago.

"I think the timing of the next tour needs to be looked at, which will help us to avoid another whitewash."

A viral infection to the Lions premier hooker, England's Steve Thompson, in the early hours of Saturday morning meant Byrne was promoted off the bench and Gordon called up among the replacements.

The 75-cap Scot, who was unfortunate not to have added to his one Test cap won in the first match against Australia four years ago at The Gabba, enjoyed a late cameo in Auckland.

Gordon led an unbeaten midweek side throughout the tour, which even recorded a win against a strong Auckland XV, which included eight current or former full All Blacks.

He added: "It was not ideal circumstances, especially if you compare it to 2001. Then when I came on we were winning and that Test match was a great experience.

"This was the opposite, but it was still nice to win a Test cap. There are plenty of things we can look at in terms of drawing positives from this tour to take forward into the next Lions tour.

"I think it still worked well for us having a Tuesday and a Saturday side. And there are guys who have managed to move between the two teams.

"But I don't think anyone can argue with the Test team needing to play together more before the first Test.

"If you look at the centres for instance, we've not really had a settled pair. You've got to get combinations coming together."

This article was posted on 11-Jul-2005, 11:29 by Hugh Barrow.