Alun Wyn Jones will lead the Lions on Saturday on a Murrayfield mission to start repaying all those who have moved heaven and earth to ensure that the 2021 tour can go ahead, amid a raging pandemic.
The veteran Wales captain is well aware of the bigger picture as he and his team-mates focus on overcoming a potentially dangerous Japan side at Scotland's rugby HQ. Jones recognises that a herculean effort has gone in to somehow keeping this show on the road, when for so long it appeared doomed to be ruined by COVID.
The Lions have spent much of their recent history as an endangered species due to endlessly short-sighted administrative pressure and self-interest within the game's corridors of power. But this year, the British and Irish touring team found themselves under threat on the altogether different basis of a worldwide health crisis. For several months, cancellation was a very real danger.
Alun Wyn Jones wants to repay 'tremendous effort' gone in to making Lions Tour happen
The Lions kick off their summer tour with their first warm-up fixture vs Japan at Murrayfield
So the fact that this warm-up fixture against Japan is happening at all is a triumph of determination against the odds. The fact that there will be a quarter-capacity crowd is also a tribute to so much hard work behind the scenes. Warren Gatland's Lions will take on the Brave Blossoms knowing that, in the unique circumstances, they are lucky to be gearing up for a tour of South Africa.
According to Jones, the players owe so much to everyone who has given them this shot and they intend to start the repayment process on Saturday. The skipper said that prior to the squad selection last month, people were thinking 'will it, won't it' and he added: 'It has been a tremendous amount of work and effort to get it going and now it's down to the players to get going as well.
'There is a definite recognition of how fortunate and privileged we are to be here. There are a lot of people who have said it probably shouldn't have gone ahead but we're very fortunate and that resonates with the squad.'
A Lions match at home is a rare event. The last one in Cardiff 16 years ago was an uncomfortable occasion; a lucky escape to earn a 25-25 draw against under-strength Argentina. That set a stuttering tone for the subsequent tour of New Zealand, which culminated in a grim Test series whitewash at the hands of the All Blacks.
Warren Gatland will give his chosen squad their first run-out ahead of the Test matches
These openers tend to be either too close for comfort or farcical mismatches. Four years
