British & Irish Lions: Former England captain John Spencer appointed tour manager for 2017
Thursday 31 July 2014 13:30, UK
Former England captain John Spencer has been appointed British & Irish Lions tour manager for New Zealand 2017.
The 66-year-old inherits the role from Welshman Gerald Davies, while ex-Ireland wing Tom Grace has been made chairman of the British and Irish Lions board.
Spencer, who won 14 England caps between 1969 and 1971, said: "It is a huge privilege and honour to represent the Lions as tour manager, 46 years after I did so as a player.
The Lions represent the core values of our sport, and I am grateful for the opportunity to represent them as chairman.
"My predecessor Andy Irvine did a fantastic job in Australia (2013), and I am looking forward to following in his footsteps."
Grace, who toured South Africa with the 1974 Lions, added: "It is an honour to be appointed chairman of the British and Irish Lions.
"The Lions represent the core values of our sport, and I am grateful for the opportunity to represent them as chairman.
"It is a privilege to take over from Gerald Davies, who has been a wonderful ambassador for the Lions as a player, tour manager and more recently as chairman."
The Lions, whose 2-1 Test series triumph in Australia two years ago was their first since defeating then world champions South Africa in 1997, are currently underdogs to upset the world champion All Blacks.
