Former England coach Clive Woodward says the British & Irish Lions outperforming the Springboks is one of his wish-list items for the 2021 sporting calendar.

The Lions are scheduled to visit South Africa on an eight-match tour, including three Tests against the Springboks, between July and August this year.

However, there is increasing doubt about the tour going ahead as rumours have started circulating that the event could be postponed due to the devastating second wave of Covid-19 infections worldwide.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the highly anticipated tour, Woodward wrote in his Daily Mail column that he wants Lions coach Warren Gatland to show a willingness to play an expansive brand of rugby, starting with the selection of Scotland’s Finn Russell at flyhalf.

‘The deterioration of the Covid situation clearly puts this tour in doubt but let’s dare to dream of the best-case scenario in which the tour continues in some form,’ Woodward wrote.

‘I would love Warren Gatland to send out a big message to the South Africans and the rugby world. We are here to play, excite and wow fans across the globe.

‘No more macho talk about defence, physicality, winning the territory battle with box-kicking – let’s talk about skill, pace and excitement. That’s what the Lions must be about.

‘Of course they must match the Boks up front but I don’t think you are ever going to dominate the South African forwards. The Lions must find other innovative ways of winning and they should have a world-class back division based on attack not defence and skill not size.’