Former Ireland captain Keith Wood does not think scrapping the British & Irish Lions tours is a worthwhile idea.

The Irish Times' Gerry Thornley had brought up the challenge and strain, in his view, posed by the Lions for Northern Hemisphere international sides in his article this week.

Commenting on the show tonight, Gerry expanded on his point, saying: "I would still rather see Irish teams touring the Southern Hemisphere to improve Ireland than I would a British and Irish Lions composite team going Down Under."

But Keith, who toured with the Lions in 1997 and 2001, disagrees with scrapping the concept.

"The squeeze isn't happening from the Lions. The Lions has been pretty much a constant in our history. The tours themselves have squeezed down an awful lot lower and I wouldn't say you get rid," he said.

"I don't think it's entirely unique but I think it's one of two special sporting events that are amalgamations, which are the Lions and the Ryder Cup."  

But he believes the summer after Rugby World Cups should be designated as a time for players to take a break.

Keith and Gerry also discussed the progress made by Connacht this season as they top the Guinness Pro 12.