Leicester Tigers' Peter Wheeler rules out changes to season for British Lions

Leicester Tigers chief executive Peter Wheeler says a restructuring of the calendar to give the British & Irish Lions more preparation time is "unlikely".

After the Lions lost the second Test, and the series, to South Africa, head coach Ian McGeechan said the Lions would have a better chance of success if they were given more time together.

He said Lions tours should be "given the same priority as the World Cup" adding: "If they give the Lions a fair crack, the Test series will always be very meaningful. The two biggest things in the international calendar are the World Cup and Lions tours."

Wheeler, a former Lions hooker, agreed but said the closeness of the series had not made a compelling argument for change.

He added: "Ian is right. The Lions could be more successful if they were given more preparation time.

"Only having five or six weeks to try to become a team that will beat the world champions in their own backyard is difficult. Unfortunately, the calendar dictates that is the way it is.

"To give the Lions more time together would encroach on players' recovery time and that encroaches on the (domestic) season. It's unlikely."

Wheeler said defeats by 30 or 40 points would have painted a different picture.

"It is not as if they are getting hammered, and they have played some really good rugby.

"They won all of their provincial games, and could have won both Tests if a few things had gone their way.

"If they had got a draw on Saturday, it would have given them a lot of confidence and set up a wonderful final Test.

"They have lost by one score to the world champions – and they were at home.

"It was a cracking game last weekend and the Lions played really well. They were also a bit unlucky with one of the Springboks' scores.

"But, having lost that game and having so many players injured as well, it makes it very difficult for them this Saturday.

"Having said that, they need to win. They certainly don't want to go back without having won a Test considering how well they have played."

The chances of Tigers' Welford Road ground hosting matches in the 2015 World Cup edged a step closer after England was recommended by the Rugby World Cup's organising committee to host the tournament.