British & Irish Lions confirm home match in Edinburgh for 2021
Rugby NewsWednesday, 21 October 2020 at 08:16
The British & Irish Lions will host Japan at BT Murrayfield Stadium on Saturday 26 June 2021 for the Vodafone Lions 1888 Cup.
The first-ever clash between the world’s greatest touring side and 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 historic fixture go on pre-sale on Tuesday 3 November, with supporters able to register their interest at lionsrugby.com/Vodafone-1888-Cup. Vodafone customers will be able to benefit from access to tickets and giveaways via the VeryMe loyalty programme.
Lions head coach Warren Gatland believes the 2019 Rugby World Cup quarter-finalists will provide a stern test for his squad before they depart for South Africa.
“We saw Japan play some excellent rugby during the World Cup and they will come to Edinburgh fully-motivated to win,” said Gatland.
“They are a talented side who play high-tempo rugby, so it’ll be a good challenge for us ahead of the Tour, and a chance for the match day squad to put their hands up for Test selection.”
JOIN THE RUCK:
Jonathan ‘Jiffy’ Davies selects his all-time Lions dream team and there are THREE Englishmen in it
Fullback: JPR Williams (Wales)
“In attack, JPR was to be seen either working in tandem with his wing three-quarters or terrifying defensive lines. He was also a towering figure in defence, safe as houses under a high ball and with a penchant for demolishing attackers."
Wing: Gerald Davies (Wales)
“I have so many fond memories of seeing him taking on opponents - often with a swagger which very few have the right to exhibit. He wove, he probed, he varied his angles of running and was always in position to counter attack from deep in tandem with his full-back."
Centre: Jeremy Guscott (England)
"Jerry restored fans’ faith in the aesthetic and artistic qualities of the game. I always appreciated his effortless style. Opponents were unable to predict whether he was going to run, pass or kick. Everything he did was instinctive and this made him a very difficult player to read."
Centre: Mike Gibson (Ireland)
“Mike Gibson was the complete footballer, ‘phenomenal’ according to The New Zealand Rugby Annual. In an interview, Brian O’Driscoll paid a sincere tribute to one of Irish rugby’s greatest ever players: ‘At times when Irish rugby wasn’t successful, he was always the shining light."
Winger: JJ Williams (Wales)
"“His combination of electrifying speed and breathtaking audacity disarmed organised defences on the Lions tour of South Africa in 1974. In an interview, Brian O’Driscoll paid a sincere tribute to one of Irish rugby’s greatest ever players: ‘At times when Irish rugby wasn’t successful, he was always the shining light."
Fly-half: Barry John (Wales)
“Who is it to be, Phil or Barry? Roy of the Rovers or The King? My heart says Phil. My head says Barry. And, ultimately, it is with my head that I have to pick this team. For what he achieved in New Zealand in 1971, Barry John will wear the No 10 shirt."
Scrum-half: Gareth Davies (Wales)
"If you put on the field the 15 best players to have played in the distinctive Lions red, the No 9 shirt would automatically be handed to Gareth Owen Edwards."
Prop: Ian McLauchlan (Scotland)
“In the first Test against New Zealand at Dunedin in 1971, McLauchlan charged down a clearance kick by Alan Sutherland in his own 22 and scored a crucial try in a 9-3 win. It set the tone for the whole series. At the end of the match, McLauchlan acknowledged he had made the jump from Mickey Mouse to Mighty Mouse, the nickname that would remain with him throughout his career.”
Hooker: Keith Wood (Ireland)
"One of the finest hookers of his generation. He had pace, athleticism, strength in tight situations, coolness under pressure, explosive running, superb kicking and handling skills, leadership along with scrummaging expertise."
Prop: Fran Cotton (England)
"“Cotton was a man-mountain; physical, solid with a powerful upper body, a player of immense strength."
Lock: Willie John McBride (Ireland)
"His performances, on and off the pitch, as captain in South Africa in 1974 remain the stuff of legends, a staple of after dinner speeches in rugby clubs the world over. Abrasive and uncompromising, he was also cool-headed even in the often violent heat of Test match battle.”
Lock: Gordon Brown (Scotland)
"When the going got tough, Brown always got going and he was not scared to mix it with some of the more unsavoury elements in the All Blacks and Springbok sides. He may well have been baby faced, but he had the heart and the armoury of a warrior.”
Flanker: Richard Hill (England)
"“A thoroughly decent human being, loyal and hard working, he devoted himself to the team at all times, to the point of self-sacrifice. While some flankers are self-proclaimed all-action heroes, making big and very visible hits in the open field, or in search of the eye-catching run and the try-scoring opportunity, Hill used his considerable brain, brawn and bravery in the trenches, in the sapping close-quarters confrontations, forever scrapping and wrestling, grappling and grunting.”
Flanker: Fergus Slattery (Ireland)
"One of those old fashioned flankers who put the complete and utter fear of God in midfield backs generally - and mere fly-halves especially."
Number 8: Mervyn Davies (Wales)
"Tall and gangly with his trademark moustache, he appeared awkward and cumbersome off the field, but once he stepped onto the pitch he was transformed into an all-action hero, a natural leader who added gravitas to any team with which he was involved.”
TRENDING
LATEST NEWS
LATEST COMMENTS
Loading
