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British and Irish Lions to face Japan next June to prepare for South Africa tour

Japan celebrate victory at the 2019 Rugby World Cup on home soil - PA
Japan celebrate victory at the 2019 Rugby World Cup on home soil - PA

The British and Irish Lions have confirmed they will play Japan at Murrayfield ahead of their departure for their tour of South Africa in June next year.

Telegraph Sport first revealed in February that the Lions were lining up a fixture against the 2019 World Cup hosts for what will be a historic and, if crowds are allowed to attend by then, a lucrative event.

It is expected the match, which will be played at Murrayfield on Saturday, June 26, will raise around £5 million to cover a significant part of the costs for their eight-game, six-week tour for what will be the first “home”  Lions match since the fixture against Argentina in Cardiff in 2005, and only the fourth of all time.

Given the soaring population of rugby union in Japan, following the success of the World Cup, it is expected to also attract a global television audience.

Total costs of the tour are expected to be approximately £18 million for the tourists at a time when rugby’s finances are under strain because of the Covid-19 impact.

Original plans to stage the game at Twickenham were dashed when the Rugby Football Union indicated it is not prepared to make Twickenham available so as not to jeopardise their relationship with Premiership Rugby as the fixture has been scheduled for the same weekend as the English club’s showpiece final.

Telegraph Sport had first revealed in March last year that the Lions were planning a home fixture in order to raise enough funds to persuade Premiership Rugby to bring forward the date of their final by a week to allow Gatland’s squad extra preparation time before leaving the UK.

PRL however have since refused to move their final, despite accommodating three midweek rounds of fixtures since their restart in August in order to complete their league campaign.

Captains Kieran Reed and Sam Warburton lift the trophy after the drawn series of 2017 - Getty Images
Captains Kieran Reed and Sam Warburton lift the trophy after the drawn series of 2017 - Getty Images

The extra fixture will at least allow Gatland to assemble the players not involved in the England club final for an extra match to prepare for the tour of South Africa after the Lions schedule was reduced by two matches from the tours of New Zealand in 2017.   “We saw Japan play some excellent rugby during the World Cup and they will come to Edinburgh fully-motivated to win,” said Warren Gatland, the Lions head coach.

“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.”

Tickets for the historic fixture go on pre-sale on Tuesday 3 November, with supporters able to register their interest at lionsrugby.com.

“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 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.”

Shigetaka Mori, President of the Japan Rugby Football Union, said: “It is a great honour for us to be able to play a Test match against the British and Irish Lions.

“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.”

Jamie Joseph, the Japan coach, said it would be an unique occasion for his players.

“We are very much looking forward to playing a Test against the Lions next year,” he said. “It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our players, and we can’t wait for it to come.”