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The British and Irish Lions were given “true rockstar treatment” as they landed in Jersey for a training camp ahead of the 2021 tour to South Africa.
Roaring fans and schoolchildren cheered and rang bells as Warren Gatland and his squad pulled up on their bright red tour buses at the Radisson Hotel, where they will stay for the duration of their trip.
In total, 26 players landed in the island for the camp, which will last until the penultimate week of June, when they’ll jet over to Edinburgh for the Vodafone Lions 1888 Cup game versus Japan on Saturday 26 June.
Fantastic to see everyone on our arrival
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 13, 2021
True rockstar treatment - Thank you #Jersey #LionsRugby pic.twitter.com/VFPWySzNbq
Joining them was a surprise late addition: Ronan Kelleher of Leinster Rugby, who will train with them, but has not been formally added to the 37-man touring squad.
“I’m delighted to welcome Ronan to train with the squad this week while we wait for Jamie George to complete his domestic season with Saracens next weekend,” said Lions head coach Warren Gatland.
The Lions will be spending most of their time in Jersey training at new state-of-the-art facility Strive, which includes an altitude training room, hydrotherapy pool and cryotherapy chamber.
But, while on the island, the team will also make some time for leisure activities, as well as meeting with pupils from 11 schools for Q&A sessions, and holding open training sessions in front of 1,200 spectators.
They’ll also be taking part in a fundraising dinner at the Royal Jersey Showground to raise money to help Jersey youngsters into sport.
Throughout the visit, the Lion pack will be acting as a ‘bubble’ to “protect themselves, islanders and other visitors.”
Pictured: Head Coach Warren Gatland boarding the plane.
"Covid protocols will be in place for all the players and coaches, even during downtime when they are out enjoying the Island's natural beauty, and I ask all islanders to respect that,” said Acting Director General of the Government’s Economy Department, Richard Corrigan.
“Whilst the Government of Jersey public health protocols have been relaxed over time, the Lions have not. We have arranged as many safe, controlled and risk-assessed opportunities as possible and whilst the temptation of a selfie or autograph is high, we would ask islanders to respect the bubble arrangement and, maintain physical distancing at all times."
The British and Irish Lions are not the only elite sports team the island will be hosting this summer – England’s netball team, the Vitality Roses, will also be heading to Strive on 26 July in preparation for defending their Commonwealth title, while the Leicester Tigers will be heading over in August.
There'll be a range of exciting and challenging activities off the court, making the most of the natural and stunning landscapes of the island @Army_Engagement and @RedBullUK will also be providing some unique opportunities ✨
— England Netball (@EnglandNetball) June 10, 2021
: @nw_army, Sedbergh 2019 pic.twitter.com/Ka6agXuQKB
Vitality Roses player and islander Serena Guthrie MBE described news of the netball camp as a “big highlight for Jersey netball”, adding: “Here’s to Jersey making this the best pre-season camp ever… #nopressure.”
Steve Borthwick, Head Coach of Leicester Tigers, which are one of the most decorated clubs in English rugby with 10 national league titles, said: "We are looking forward to the opportunity to take on Jersey Reds next pre-season and grateful to the club for hosting Leicester Tigers.
"It will be a great experience for our group and we are excited for the chance to visit Jersey and the Channel Islands community."
Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby, Wales)
Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby, Ireland)
Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints, Wales)
Gareth Davies (Scarlets, Wales)
Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby, Scotland)
Robbie Henshaw (Leinster Rugby, Ireland)
Conor Murray (Munster Rugby, Ireland)
Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland)
Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby, Wales)
Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland)
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, England)
Liam Williams (Scarlets, Wales)
Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby, Ireland)
Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby, Ireland)
Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland)
Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby, Wales)
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland)
Iain Henderson (Ulster Rugby, Ireland)
Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, Wales)
Wyn Jones (Scarlets, Wales)
Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby, Ireland)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, England)
Ken Owens (Scarlets, Wales)
Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland)
Justin Tipuric (Ospreys, Wales)
Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland)
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