British & Irish Lions to Play Japan in Scotland in June

The British & Irish Lions will host a test match against Japan at BT Murrayfield Stadium on Saturday, 26 June 2021 for the Vodafone Lions 1888 Cup.

The first-ever clash against the Brave Blossoms will raise the curtain for the Lions’ eagerly awaited Tour to South Africa, which culminates in a three-test series against Rugby World Cup champions, the Springboks.

Tickets for the fixture go on pre-sale on Tuesday, 3 November with supporters encouraged to register their interest in advance.

Vodafone customers will be able to benefit from access to tickets and giveaways via the VeryMe loyalty programme.

“One of our objectives is to give Warren and the playing squad as much meaningful preparation as possible before departing on Tour, so we are delighted to have agreed this fixture,” said Ben Calveley, Managing Director of The British & Irish Lions. “A Lions Test is one of the most iconic events in world sport, but a huge number of fans from the Home Nations never get the chance to see one live. The Vodafone Lions 1888 Cup match will give even more supporters the opportunity to be part of the next chapter in Lions history. It will be an ‘I was there’ moment, against an entertaining and highly-respected opposition.”

A view shared by Shigetaka Mori, President of the Japan Rugby Football Union, who anticipates the fixture will attract a global audience.

“It is a great honour for us to be able to play a Test match against the British & Irish Lions,” said Mori. “I hope that many rugby fans from around the world will witness the historic match between the Lions and Japan and enjoy the brand of rugby to be showcased by each side.”

Scottish Rugby’s 67,000-seat stadium in Edinburgh will host only the third Lions Test match on ‘home’ soil, following games in Cardiff against Argentina in 2005 and against a Rest of the World XV in 1986.

The Lions have toured South Africa on 13 previous occasions, with the first Tour taking place in 1891. In that time, the Lions have won four Test series, lost eight with one drawn. Their overall record against the Springboks is played 46, won 17, lost 23 and drawn six.

Rugby pictures: Pictures from 2019 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures from 2018 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures from 2017 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures from 2016 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures of Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2015, Pictures of the Asia Rugby Sevens Olympic Games Qualifier in Hong Kong, Pictures of Singha Thailand Sevens 2015, Pictures from the 2013 British & Irish Lions Tour in Hong Kong, Pictures of Hong Kong Sevens 2014, Pictures of Hong Kong Sevens 2013, Pictures of Chartis Cup 2012 and Pictures of Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2012.

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