'Scope' for Lions to tour France after 2029, says Itoje

Will the British & Irish Lions tour France after 2029? Maro Itoje admits there is "scope" to play games against Les Bleus in the future.

The British & Irish Lions will reportedly face France for the first time in nearly 40 years ahead of the 2029 tour to New Zealand, and further reports suggest the viability of tours to France, the Americas and Japan are being considered.

The Lions currently rotate between tours of New Zealand, South Africa and Australia every four years but the new destinations are being explored by bosses as part of their new 'Beyond29 project', according to The Telegraph.

• Download Sky Sports app for analysis, news and video
• Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract

The existing four-year rotation has been in place for 37 years since 1989, when Australia was added as a standalone tour for the first time.

Saracens star Maro Itoje, who captained the Lions for their 2025 tour to Australia, says he is open to the idea of touring France in the future.

"One of the great things about the Lions is its tradition and I grew up watching the Lions play South Africa, New Zealand and Australia," Itoje told Sky Sports News.

"They're all great tours and I think the Lions is expanding and I think there's probably scope for the Lions to play games against France and probably different regions of the world.

"But I think with evolution, it's about exploring new opportunities, whilst remaining true to its traditional core so who knows?

"Maybe a full-blown tour to France might be a good thing or maybe just a one-off game before they go and play the traditional three nations."

Itoje: England can achieve special things under Borthwick

Itoje also reaffirmed his support for Steve Borthwick, insisting England can achieve "special things" under his leadership despite an abject Six Nations.

England's Six Nations campaign unravelled as they finished fifth after suffering four successive defeats, including a first international loss to Italy.

RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney has indicated head coach Borthwick will be given this summer's tour fixtures in the inaugural Nations Championship to orchestrate a revival.

If Borthwick delivers a satisfactory return against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina in July, he will be in a position to see his contract through to its expiry after the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Itoje accepts England fell below expectations in the Six Nations, having entered the tournament on an 11-Test winning run, but has expressed his belief that Borthwick and his coaching staff can turn things around.

"We believe in what we're doing," the England captain told Sky Sports at the Football Black List event.

"Steve is a great coach - Wiggy [Richard Wigglesworth], Kev [Kevin Sinfield], Joe [Joe Shaw], Lee [Lee Blackett] - all great coaches.

"We just need to gel together as a team, learn the lessons and move positively forward.

"We weren't as successful as we wanted to be, but how I felt at the beginning of the tournament doesn't change now.

"I have a lot of faith, a lot of belief in this England team, and I think this England team is going to go on to do special things.

"It's just about us learning the lessons and moving forward."

England's Nations Championship fixtures

• Round One: July 4 - South Africa vs England
• Round Two : July 11 - Fiji vs England
• Round Three: July 18 - Argentina vs England
• Round Four: November 8 - England vs Australia
• Round Five: November 14 - England vs Japan
• Round Six: November 21 - England vs New Zealand