British Lions

The Lions are set to tour Australia in 2025 but don’t expect to see Jones, who coaches England, in charge.

Jones ruled himself out of contention in a Telegraph discussion about potential candidates, believing there were better British options.

“Respectfully, no. I am an Australian and I don’t really have any connection to the Lions as such,” Jones said.

“I think it’d be better for someone from the home countries to do it. I’m also not suited to wearing a blazer 12 months of the year.

Jones suffered what seemed like a tour-ending shoulder dislocation on 26 June.

The 35-year-old made it back three weeks later and has now played in 12 Lions Tests across four tours.

Jones seemed close to tears when asked about his Lions journey and said he "probably can't put it into words".

The Wales great, who started all three Tests, swore as he defended his display of emotion, saying: "I've already had a bit of stick for being overly emotional and you know, I don't [care] if people think I'm overly emotional, that's what it means to me.

Biggar kicked four penalties and a conversion for a 14-point personal tally to take the Lions to victory after they were 12-3 down at halftime but came back strongly in the second half.

Luke Cowan-Dickie scored the Lions' only try with Owen Farrell adding a key late penalty while the Springboks' points came from a Faf de Klerk try and four first-half penalties from Handre Pollard.

The two teams meet again next Saturday in the second test, also at the Cape Town Stadium.

The Lions are scheduled to play eight matches in South Africa, including a three-match series against the world champion Springboks, starting on 3 July in Cape Town.

Both Britain and South Africa are still firmly in the grip of the virus, however, and Lions officials are scheduled to decide this month whether to proceed with the tour or look at other options.

Australia has been relatively successful in containing the pandemic and in November and December staged the Rugby Championship, renamed the Tri-Nations, after South Africa withdrew.

The Lions will host the Brave Blossoms in Edinburgh next June ahead of their tour of South Africa.

It will mark just the third time the Lions have played on home soil following games in Cardiff against Argentina in 2005 and a Rest of the World XV in 1986.

"We saw Japan play some excellent rugby during the World Cup and they will come to Edinburgh fully-motivated to win," Lions head coach Warren Gatland said.

Japan head coach Jamie Joseph said it was a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" for the players.

The Lions play South Africa in three tests in July-August.