British Lions to kickstart Boks tour with a test against Japan on home soil

The British & Irish Lions will play a rugby event against Japan in Edinburgh next June before embarking on an eight-game tour of South Africa.

It will be just the third home test for the Lions and the first against Japan. Lions head coach Warren Gatland said the World Cup quarter-finals would offer a tough test before his team faces World Cup champion, South Africa, in a three-round series.

"We saw Japan play excellent rugby during the World Cup and they will come to Edinburgh fully motivated to win," Gatland said. "They are a talented team playing high-paced rugby, so it will be a good challenge for us before the tour and an opportunity for the team of the day to raise their hands for the test selection."

Japan's head coach Jamie Joseph said the June 26 game would be an "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our players, and we can't wait for it to come."

British & Irish Lions

The British and Irish Lions played in Cardiff against a World XV in 1986 and Argentina in 2005. The Lions team made up of players selected from the so-called local nations of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, generally tour the southern hemisphere every four years. The first of the 13 tours to South Africa was in 1891.

The Lions will kick off their 2021 tour with a game against the Stormers in Cape Town on July 3. The series of three tests will begin in Johannesburg on July 24.

South Africa announced last week that it was withdrawing from the 2020 Rugby Championship that would begin in Australia due to concerns for the well-being of the players following the long break from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Springboks have not played an international game since defeating England in the final of the Rugby World Cup in Japan last November.

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LIONS WATCH: STANDER AND SEXTON SCORE FOR THE IRELAND WHILE JONES EQUALS WORLD CAPS RECORD

International rugby returned to the Northern Hemisphere this weekend and the stars of the British and Irish Lions were at the heart of the action. Rugby enthusiasts can book British lions 2021 tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

The star attraction was the return of the Six Nations, as Round 4 concluded more than seven months after it began. However, Ireland wasted no time in shedding any signs of rust as they racked up 50 points in a complete win over Italy, leaving them a clear point at the top heading into Super Saturday next weekend.

Leinster winger Hugo Keenan took an international bow to remember, crossing two of Ireland's seven attempts, while fellow rookie Will Connors also landed in a man of the match display. CJ Stander, who scored against the Blues on the 2017 Tour and participated in the third round, and two-time Lions tourist Johnny Sexton added their names to the roster while Sexton contributed 13 points off the tee.

The victory came at a cost for Ireland, who saw Garry Ringrose leave the field with a broken jaw that will likely keep him out for about six weeks. Ringrose was replaced on Saturday by 2017 tourist Robbie Henshaw, while fellow center Bundee Aki scored as he looks to pressure home with his own Lions credentials.

Of the other Lions on display in Dublin, Conor Murray had a steady play in the scrum-half after an early sin fall and Peter O’Mahony came off the bench to set up Aki's score with a good volley.

Andy Farrell's men now have their fate in their own hands heading into next weekend's grand final and they know that an extra point’s victory against France will win them the Championship. If Ireland wins without a bonus point, their fate would depend on England's result in Italy, although the men in green enter Round 5 with a point difference higher by a margin of 24.

AWJ equals McCaw

Wales kicked off Super Saturday next weekend and prepared for their clash against Scotland with a trip to Paris, where they found a French team in top form.

Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones equaled Richie McCaw's record of 148 test matches, nine of which have occurred throughout three Lions Tours, and his team got off to a dream start when tourist Leigh Halfpenny of 2017 crossed in the second minute.

Teammate Leon Dan Biggar converted before adding a penalty to put Wales 10-0 up, but an Antoine Dupont-inspired France responded in style. The scrum-half scored twice and helped prepare two more attempts for the hosts, who were left with 38-21 winners.

Jones made no excuses and urged his team to improve next weekend when the 35-year-old will become the most capped international player in rugby history. The Wales captain was one of eight Lions in the starting XV in Paris, where Jonathan Davies made his first international appearance since the 2019 World Cup bronze medal match.

Russell returns

Visitors to Wales next weekend, Scotland, were in action on Friday night and made eight attempts throughout a 48-7 win over Georgia at BT Murrayfield. Duhan van der Merwe scored on his debut for Gregor Townsend's team and there were twos for acting Captain Fraser Brown and Darcy Graham.

The match was also notable for Finn Russell's return to international rugby, with the talented fly-half coming off the bench to win his 50th call-up for Scotland without having played since last year's World Cup. Russell was called up as a cover on the 2017 Tour, making a brief appearance off the bench against Hurricanes, and is looking forward to a chance to shine in South Africa next summer.

Another Lion on his way back is Liam Williams, who played for the second time this year when the Scarlets beat Benetton 10-3 in a cautious Guinness PRO14 affair on Friday night. The 29-year-old, who helped set up one of the best attempts in Lions history for Sean O'Brien in Test 1 in 2017, played the first 66 minutes at Treviso and hopes to play for Wales throughout busy autumn.

Chiefs at the double

Elsewhere on the home front, Exeter Chiefs added the Premiership title to the European Challenge Cup they won last weekend to complete a memorable double. The Chiefs beat the Wasps 19-13 in torrential rain at Twickenham, with England star Henry Slade scoring a good individual try in the first half.

Jacob Umaga responded with a score for the Wasps, but Joe Simmonds' dependable boot took Exeter out after the break and the Chiefs became the fourth English club to score a national and European double.

Stuart Hogg, a member of the Lions' touring group in 2013 and 2017, started as a winger for the new English champions, while Jack Nowell, who participated in two 2017 events, lined up on the wing and assisted in Slade's attempt. Nowell will now undergo the upcoming Miss England Fall Internationals to undergo surgery on a toe injury, having played through the pain barrier to participate in the Exeter final.

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Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2021 seating guide

 

The Edinburgh Military Tattoo is an evening of live military performances from Regiments and Military bands that include the massed pipes and drums, dancers, performers, singers, military displays, special lighting effects, and the Lone Piper. 2021 dates are the 6th to 28th August and it will be celebrating its 70th year.  

For any individual who moved their tickets from 2020, the booking lines for 2021 are open from Monday fifth October at 10 am 2020 until late of the ninth of October 2020.

Tickets for 2021 are discounted on Monday nineteenth October. Tickets can be bought from 10 am. There will be a restricted limit field for the year 2021. You can purchase up to 8 tickets on one exchange; notwithstanding, the seating is restricted to 4 seats together.

Less expensive evaluated tickets in 2021, the Peak tickets will be accessible on the eleventh, eighteenth, and 25th August 2021.

For the best determination of seats that suit you’re spending plan the prior the better. Non-weekend days the exhibitions are Monday to Friday at 9:00 pm and on Saturday at 6.30 pm and 10:30 pm. There is no tattoo on any Sunday in August.

I have been going to The Edinburgh Military Tattoo for quite a while sitting in different areas on the Castle Esplanade, the huge space straightforwardly before Edinburgh Castle.

A transitory stand is raised here and the seats are outside with no spread or security from the components except if you are in the Royal Gallery. These seats are extravagant and can be found in the purple segment.

Edinburgh Tattoo Tickets go on sale book online at xchnageticketss.com or via telephone on +44 (0) 20-3290-5577

British lions vs south africa tickets | British lions rugby tickets | British lions 2021 tickets

 

British and Irish Lions Tour

The British & Irish Lions is a rugby union team selected from players eligible for any of the Home Nations the national teams of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. The Lions are a Test side and generally select international players, but they can pick uncapped players available to any one of the four unions. The team currently tours every four years, with these rotating among Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The most recent series, the 2017 series against New Zealand was drawn.
From 1888 onwards, combined rugby sides from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland toured the Southern Hemisphere. The first tour was a commercial venture and was undertaken without official backing. The six subsequent visits enjoyed a growing degree of support from the authorities, before the 1910 South Africa tour, which was the first tour representative of the four Home Unions. In 1949 the four Home Unions formally created a Tours Committee and for the first time, every player of the 1950 Lions squad had played internationally before the tour. The 1950s tours saw high win rates in provincial games, but the Test series were typically lost or drawn. The winning series in 1971 (New Zealand) and 1974 (South Africa) changed this pattern. The last tour of the amateur age took place in 1993. The Lions have also played occasional matches in the Northern Hemisphere either as one-off exhibitions or as part of a Southern Hemisphere tour.

The British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa may not take place next year if supporters are not allowed to attend because of Covid-19 restrictions, with the host union’s chief executive, Jurie Roux, admitting having no spectators would not be “commercially viable”.

Roux also said that postponing the tour to next autumn was “highly unlikely” because of the already cluttered nature of the global calendar, raising the prospect of a delay until 2022 at the earliest, or even cancelling it entirely. If the current travel restrictions imposed on South Africa were in place next summer, Lions supporters would not be able to travel.

Lions tour 2021 fixtures

Warm-up games:

Sat 3 July: vs Stormers – Cape Town
Weds 7 July: vs South Africa Invitational – Port Elizabeth
Sat 10 July: vs Sharks – Durban
Weds 14 July: vs South Africa ‘A’ – Nelspruit
Sat 17 July: vs Bulls – Pretoria

Test matches:

Sat 24 July: vs Springboks – Johannesburg (FNB Stadium)
Sat 31 July: vs Springboks – Cape Town
Sat 7 August: vs Springboks – Johannesburg (Emirates Airline Park)

British and Irish Lions Tour Tickets

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'England was stupid... that's killed the Lions tour': Willie John McBride's lament for modern rugby

Legendary British and Irish Lions captain Willie John McBride has savagely attacked modern rugby, claiming that it has become an unedifying mix of union, league and American football that is being ruined by an injury crisis and the dominance of money. Rugby enthusiasts can book British lions 2021 tickets on our website on exclusively discounted prices.

Captain of the famous 1974 Lions that conquered South Africa, McBride went international 17 times for tourists on five separate tours, while also winning 63 matches for Ireland before retiring in 1975.

Now in his 80s, he has not struck out in the foreword to Saving Rugby Union, the newly published book written by Ross Reyburn and published by Y Lolfa that tackles the myriad of issues that affect the best development of professional rugby.

In addition to facing the lack of space and high injury rate in rugby today, Lions King McBride also lamented the collapse mechanics, crooked feeding at scrum time, the excessive prevalence of replacements and the ease with which players can change nationality.

Willie John McBride

McBride wrote: Rugby today is nothing like the game I played. It is a mix of rugby union and rugby league, which is heavily influenced by rugby union, with players lined up on the field against each other, and American football, with obstruction and blocking.

In the modern game, you can theoretically hold the ball for 40 minutes with endless phases. In the amateur era, once you got down on the ground, you had to drop the ball and escape. The players could then roll over the ball.

Today when the guys go to the ground, they are still holding on to the ball and putting it back with their hands. It allows the sides to hold the ball during phase after phase, as it is very difficult for defenders to catch the ball at half-time. It is absolutely ridiculous.

There were never any serious injuries in the rucks because you really had to drop the ball and get away to avoid getting the rake back. If he clings to the ball, he will be penalized.

Today there are more and more pile-ups with knees and elbows hitting other players, causing injuries. Referees explode for a scrum when the ball is buried in a pile of bodies. This just wouldn't happen in a ruck situation when playing.

On the breakdown, I just don't understand why people are tackling players who don't have the ball. It is not a sport, they are just attacking people to get them out. Surely the law says that you cannot tackle a player who does not have the ball.

“Any game has to do with space. The modern game is about closing the gap with players lined up on the field due to the rugby phase. The only thing that surprises me is why they changed our game."

British and Irish Lions legend McBride

Addressing the rising injury rate, Lions legend McBride added: “There is an injury crisis in rugby. You watch all the international matches that are played. How many do you see that are injury-free? I think every player should be playing 80 minutes unless he has to leave the field injured. I played for 14 years and never left the field in my life.”

I've seen young boys from academies who have been told, 'You're too light. You have to put two stones to be successful. The children are growing up. They eat all these food supplements that I call drugs and doing all these weights. Your bones cannot support what your muscles demand. This is bad. The only thing they taught me when I was little was to be flexible. They are tied to the muscles and are more prone to injury.

It is terrible to see all these people running and on the field in an international match. Recently, a player was signed with one minute to go, there could be no difference in the result. I once asked my old adversary Colin Meads how you would feel if they took you with 20 minutes to go. I can't repeat what he said, but it was pretty much "you can fill the game".

I also find it unsettling how easily players can change their national allegiance. It devalues international rugby. When Wales defeated Ireland 25-7 in the 2019 Six Nations, all Welsh points were scored by two New Zealanders, Gareth Anscombe and Hadleigh Parkes. That cannot be correct.

If you play for Ireland, you should have Irish blood running through your veins. The residential rating should be ten years and that would leave players playing for a country when they don't have an immediate family connection. The only thing the Irish Rugby Union got right is that they own the players. England was stupid, as the RFU allowed the Premiership clubs to take control of the players. That is over.

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British Irish lions Tour: Halfpenny makes history and itoje stands out

 

The new Guinness PRO14 season and the finale of the regular Premiership campaign ensured there was wall-to-wall rugby drama for fans to gorge on over the weekend.

Internationals from all four nations were in the thick of the action in both leagues as players looked to take a prime opportunity to make a statement ahead of next year’s Tour to South Africa.

And there was no shortage of British Irish Lions players making the headlines, with three-time tourist Leigh Halfpenny one of those who rose to the occasion in Wales.

Here’s a round-up of all the highlights from an absorbing weekend of action.

Itoje powers Saracens to finale draw 

The end of an era at Allianz Park saw Saracens bow out of the Premiership with a typically resilient performance as they recovered a 14-point deficit to draw with Bath Rugby.

Maro Itoje was awarded for a man of the match display against the top four-chasing visitors, who had surged into a 17-3 lead with tries from England internationals Beno Obano and Ben Spencer.

But a penalty tries and Tim Swinson’s score provided the foundation for Manu Vunipola to clinch a draw for the hosts, giving Richard Wigglesworth and Brad Barritt a fitting send-off.

There was also plenty of drama elsewhere as Bristol Bears booked their play-off place with a bonus-point win over London Irish, with England’s Ben Earl amongst the tries once again.

Wasps will also contest the semi-finals following a dominant 46-5 triumph against Exeter Chiefs, with Ben Vellacott (2), Jacob Umaga, Dan Robson, Jimmy Gopperth, and Josh Bassett scoring.

Meanwhile, there was an emotional farewell for former England captain Chris Robshaw in his 300th and final Harlequins game as his side beat Leicester Tigers 32-36 at Welford Road.

Halfpenny makes history for Scarlets 

Leigh Halfpenny finished with a record-breaking 27-point haul for Scarlets but his efforts proved in vain as 14-man Munster snatched a dramatic 30-27 victory in Llanelli.

Three-time Lions tourist Halfpenny struck all of his side’s points, with his nine penalties setting a record for Scarlets in one game and equalling the Guinness PRO14’s previous best.

But despite the Irish province having captain, Peter O’Mahony sent off in the 69th minute, a late penalty from replacement Ben Healy completed a stunning triumph for Munster.

Meanwhile, Ospreys also started the new season with an impressive victory over Edinburgh in the Scottish capital as Lions Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric playing key roles in the 25-10 success.

Edinburgh had taken the lead with a penalty try and three points from Jaco van der Valt but a brace from Mat Protheroe and another score from Nicky Smith secured the win for Ospreys.

Bundee Aki also enjoyed a day to remember as the Ireland international scored twice for Connacht as they got their campaign off to a winning start with a 28-24 victory over Glasgow Warriors.

Roberts returns as Leinster begin defense 

Two-time Lions tourist Jamie Roberts made his return to the Guinness PRO14 on Friday night as he featured in a Dragons side which came up against reigning champions Leinster.

Roberts arrived at the Welsh region in the summer after a spell in South Africa but the ex-Wales international was unable to prevent Leo Cullen’s men from claiming a bonus-point win.

First-half tries from Garry Ringrose, Jordan Larmour, and James Lowe gave the hosts a 21-0 advantage at the break in Dublin despite Johnny Sexton leaving the pitch after 18 minutes.

Cullen subsequently described his early exit as “a precaution” after watching his side add another two tries after the interval through Lowe and Ryan Baird to seal a 35-5 victory at the RDS Arena.

Roberts, who was the 2009 Lions Player of the Series, spent ten minutes in the sin bin in the first half but also showcased his trademark powerful running during an entertaining first bow.

Elsewhere on Friday night, Josh Adams scored the only try as Cardiff Blues defeated Zebre 16-6 while Ulster overcame Benetton 35-24 in an end-to-end thriller at Kingspan Stadium.

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More than 300,000 SA fans request tickets to next year's British Lions tour

It may be just under a year to go until next year's British and Irish Lions tour, but the South Africans have taken firm control in the battle for tickets. According to SA Rugby, South African fans requested 323,964 tickets for the eight matches of the tour next year. Rugby enthusiasts can book British lions 2021 tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

The 2009 British and Irish Lions tour was dominated by visiting fans, but the number of South African requests for the only tour in 12 years may have weighed in on the green and gold.  Also, the fewer number of matches may have played a role in the increased interest in the matches, along with the Boks' World Championship status.

Warren Gatland and Jurie Roux

The British and Irish Lions, to be coached by Warren Gatland, have not lost a series since the 2009 South African safari. South Africa Rugby chief executive officer Jurie Roux said it was good to see SA fans getting first dibs on the tickets.

“The past few months have been challenging as we fight the Covid-19 pandemic, and it was heartwarming to see the interest of South Africans in experiencing a truly unique tour, which takes place only once every 12 years,” Roux said.

"As we expected, the interest in the three Trials was extremely high, they are subscribed two or three times more, but we are sure that we will get as many people as possible to enter the stadiums."

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Williams Column: All eyes on South Africa will be on the Lions

It promises to be an even bigger showdown than in 2009 when the Springboks were once again the best team in the world when they welcomed the Lions. I have bittersweet memories of that tour, but more of that later. Rugby enthusiasts can book British lions 2021 tickets on our website on exclusively discounted prices.

News from South Africa last week was tremendously encouraging after some of the fatality runners had been predicting that the game might not return for some time, casting doubt on next summer's tour. But rugby is back on the agenda after being suspended for nearly six months.

The first steps back will reflect what we had in Wales, with local derbies, and then they will look to follow New Zealand's lead with a test. They will have to catch up very quickly if they want to be competitive in the Rugby Championship that is scheduled to follow.

But whatever the short-term goals, the main focus will surely be on next year's Lions tour. That will dominate their minds from now until then, just as it will be a huge focus of attention for players from the four local unions. It was always like this in a season preparing for a Lions tour.

The national season in South Africa will resume on September 26 with a double game at Loftus Versfeld, where the Bulls will face the Sharks and their Lions will face the Stormers. Then comes the Springbok test on October 3: Springbok Green v Springbok Gold.

While all of this is going on, an interested observer will be Warren Gatland, who has headed back to the Northern Hemisphere to pass check on some possible candidates as the European season reaches its climax alongside the English Premiership.

He will certainly return to Australia if the Springboks can participate in the Rugby Championship. Gats' preparation is second to none and he will want to see where the Boks are one year after their World Cup triumph.

South Africa

It was in South Africa in 2009 that he first got a taste of life with the Lions as a forward coach. He learned at the feet of the teacher, Ian McGeechan, and has carried forward his love for Lion's traditions and values.

I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that the 2009 tour possibly saved the Lions from extinction. In the wake of the 2005 tour of New Zealand, which went terribly wrong, the trip to South Africa four years later was the last chance.

I know we didn't win the series, but by winning the third and final round in Johannesburg by a record margin, we left the country with our heads held high. More than that, everyone who had seen us couldn't wait for the Lions to return.

Warren Gatland

Since then, Gats has planned a 2-1 win in Australia and the series tied in New Zealand. Wouldn't it be great if you could turn it into a third series in charge without a loss?

Going back to that last game in South Africa 11 years ago, it remains one of my best memories in rugby. It had been a difficult tour for me and I was passed over on the first test. I struggled to reach the playing heights of the previous year and became increasingly frustrated.

I got a couple of minutes in the second test, which we should have won, and then I started in the third and final game at Ellis Park. We all went out to enjoy the final game and I finished with two attempts and the man of the match award.

I felt like I had redeemed myself a bit. More importantly, the character displayed by the team was superb and gave the Lions a true mainstay for the upcoming tour. I just hope the "Class of 2021" remembers how we ended up in 2009.

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