The British and Irish Lions will play in a test in Scotland for the first time next June when they face Japan at BT Murrayfield as a send-off for the summer tour to South Africa.
The game, set for June 26 2021, will be one of only a handful the famous touring side have played on home turf.
It will also be the first time the Lions have played the Brave Blossoms, Japan’s stock having risen after a successful hosting of Rugby World Cup last year when they beat Scotland, Ireland and Samoa in reaching the quarter-finals for the first time.
The game will be played for a new trophy, the Vodafone Lions 1888 Cup, and tickets go on sale from Nov 3 with fans able to register interest from the lionsrugby.com website from today.
Head coach Warren Gatland welcomed the extra fixture as prime preparation for the South Africa tour which features three tests against the world champion Springboks.
“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.”
A home fixture is not unknown for the Lions, but very rare. The last home test was against Argentina in Cardiff before the tour of New Zealand, back in 2005, and before that a fixture against the Rest of the World in 1986.
“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, the Lions’ Managing Director.
“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, 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,” he said. “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.”
Murrayfield follows Cardiff, in both guises as the Principality Stadium and Cardiff Arms Park, as the only home venues for the Lions.
“We are very proud to be welcoming the Lions and Japan to the home of Scottish Rugby next June,” said Mark Dodson, Scottish Rugby chief executive and Lions Board member.
“BT Murrayfield Stadium has a long history of hosting major sporting events and is renowned among rugby fans as one of the iconic stadiums in the world game.
“The deep connection Scotland enjoys with the British & Irish Lions has helped to shape the rich history of the team with players, coaches and support staff all contributing to the success of the side down the years.
“Scottish Rugby and the whole rugby community in Scotland will extend a warm welcome to the Lions and Japan and we look forward to hosting fans for this unique ‘home game’ at what will no doubt be an enthralling match.”
The Lions’ eight-game tour to South Africa kicks off on Saturday 3 July 2021 when they play Vodacom Super Rugby’s DHL Stormers in Cape Town. Three weeks later the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg will host the first Test – a venue which previously hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final.
The second Test follows on Saturday 31 July at the Cape Town Stadium before the British and Irish tourists return to Gauteng for the final Test on Saturday 7 August at Emirates Airline Park, the storied venue of the 1995 Rugby World Cup final.
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.