British and Irish Lions partner with digital platform innovators PT SportSuite

PT SportSuite has been chosen by the British & Irish Lions to provide media services, empowering Lions to tell the story of the 2021 SA tour. Rugby enthusiasts can book British lions 2021 tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

With less than a year until the team lands in Cape Town, the association will establish a cloud media ecosystem that will transform the way Lions collect, manage and share their digital media while enabling the collection of multimedia content of players and followers.

The association will establish a cloud media ecosystem that will transform the way Lions collect, manage and share their digital media. By transforming Lions' digital media workflow, unlocking the power of their digital media archive, and providing OTT video distribution to the tour's mobile app and web platform, fans will enjoy more epic sports content than ever.

In a key attraction for Lions, PT SportSuite will work with existing partners to ensure unprecedented collaboration among all stakeholders by providing an official media portal that provides sponsors with real-time access to exclusive Lions media.

The main stakeholders will always be the supporters of the Lions of the "sea of reds". In an effort to make South Africa 2021 truly a fan affair, fans will have the opportunity to make their own mark on the rich history of the team by making their own Lions media presentations through a series of content challenges for fans.

Rich Cheary

Rich Cheary, CEO of PT SportSuite, said: It is a great honor for our team to work with the British & Irish Lions, one of the world's great sports brands, and their partners. The 97 Lions' epic tour of South Africa is still indelibly imprinted on my sports memory, so for PT SportSuite bringing our digital ecosystem is very exciting for our sports fan team.

We look forward to working with the Lions to provide a foundation on which to unearth the digital gems of past tours: Rich Cheary, CEO of PT SportSuite.

“We look forward to working with the Lions digital team to provide a strong and scalable foundation upon which to unearth the digital gems of past tours to a level never seen before, while also providing passionate Lions fans the opportunity to leave an indelible mark on future tours. Your contributions to the media will add immense value to the media archive generated by the ever-growing Lions tour.”

British & Irish Lions Director of Communication, Media and Digital Media, Shane Whelan, said: “We are delighted to have partnered with PT SportSuite, with whom we have worked closely over the past few months. The digital archive is a fantastic addition and allows us to be more efficient in terms of storing key digital assets.”

We look forward to maximizing the broad offering of fan engagement features PT boasts in the coming months: Shane Whelan, Director of Communications, Media and Digital Media, B&I Lions.

“Additionally, we have already seen the benefits of the video platform in terms of our new website and recently launched application. We look forward to maximizing the broad offering of fan engagement features PT boasts over the coming months.”

PT SportSuite transforms sports organizations into digital media powerhouses.

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Meet the Springbok whose great-grandfather played for the British and Irish Lions

The British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa next year will be a very special one for a member of the 2019 Springboks Rugby World Cup-winning team. Rugby enthusiasts can book British lions 2021 tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

Jesse Kriel revealed on Twitter that his great-grandfather, John Hodgson, played in the famous red jersey against the All Blacks and Wallabies 90 years ago. Hodgson, a loose forward who played his English rugby club for North Northumbria, was involved in the 6-3 win over New Zealand in Dunedin and the 15-10 loss to the All Blacks in Auckland in 1930.

In all, the Gosforth-born winger made 15 appearances for the British & Irish Lions, scoring nine points. He also represented England from 1932-1936, winning seven international matches, including the England team that played against the 1932 Springboks in London on January 2, 1932.

"I think it's very special, really, to know that he played for the Lions," Kriel told the official Springbok website.

Kriel went on to explain that relatives in England initially wanted to present the Hodgson Lions cap to their grandfather David's sister Diana, but due to international travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was decided to send it by post to South Africa, where he arrived safely a few days ago.

"You can imagine how happy she was, proud and a little bit excited when the package was delivered to her," said Kriel from Tokyo, where she currently plays for the Canon Eagles.

It was a good idea for discussions in the family group chat on WhatsApp.

"I thought it would be nice to share the moment on Twitter, especially with the Lions tour of South Africa on the horizon."

Jesse Kriel

Kriel's twin brother Dan previously played with him for the Bulls in Pretoria and while Jesse has made Japan his rugby home, Dan moved to Cape Town, where he played for the Western Province, and later the Lions in Johannesburg, whom he was recently captain.

The Kriel twins represented the Junior Springboks at the World Rugby U20 Championship in New Zealand in 2014, where they defeated their New Zealand hosts twice before suffering a close defeat to England U20 in the final at Eden Park.

John McDonald Hodgson was born on February 13, 1909, in Gosforth, England and passed away on April 21, 1970.

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Makeshift series could be critical to shaping the British Lions squad

Warren Gatland has always sought the white heat of the Six Nations decision-makers when it comes to finalizing outstanding picks for the British and Irish Lions squads. Rugby fans can book British lions 2021 tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

The most famous example of this was Wales' victory over England in Cardiff in 2013. By winning the title, Wales not only denied England a Grand Slam, but the form of their 30-3 victory solved a number of key problems. Selection for Gatland before the Australian tour.

"It's a situation where you want to see players under pressure, and that's what we're going to face in Australia," Gatland said before the game.

Alex Cuthbert and Justin Tipuric were two of several Welsh players chosen for the tour as a result, while Chris Robshaw was the highest-profile of the English contingent who would miss it.

Four years later, there was an equally shocking climax for the championship, when Ireland defeated a team from England pursuing a second successive Grand Slam in Dublin. Peter O'Mahony, who had only reached the starting XV when Jamie Heaslip retired with a back injury in the warm-up, Iain Henderson and CJ Stander won the selection after the 13-9 win, with O'Mahony moving on to be captain. The Lions in the first Test against the All Blacks.

Next year's Six Nations will undoubtedly prove equally conclusive for several players when Gatland finalizes his team for the South African tour. And yet a closer look at his picks for the last two tours, and the previous tour of South Africa in 2009, when he had a key role as strikers coach, shows that this fall's internationals will also likely have significant influence.

It was a sweeping debut for Andrew Powell against South Africa in November 2008 that made Cardiff No. 8 stands out and caught the attention of Gatland, and he became a colorful and popular member of the South African tour. Ugo Monye and Riki Flutey also debuted for England that fall, with Monye starting Test 1 against the Springboks and Flutey played a key role in Test's third victory in Johannesburg.

England's impressive victory over the All Blacks four years later had a similar impact for Tom Youngs, who had made his debut that fall, and Geoff Parling, who was in his first year of international rugby. Youngs started the first two Tests, Parling the second and third, as the series was won 2-1.

The fall of 2016 was even more shocking, with Tadhg Furlong launching onto the world stage as an outstanding hard-headed mainstay after just a handful of starts when Ireland defeated New Zealand and Australia, prompting influential commentators to link him to the Lions selection.

England was the main beneficiary this time, however, when Ben Te'o and Elliot Daly debuted that fall and played for the Lions Test team.

Kyle Sinckler also got into Gatland's considerations after making his substitute debut for England that fall in victories over South Africa, Fiji, Argentina and Australia and made the test team for all three games against the All Blacks.

Jamie George also did enough off the bench to convince Gatland to pick him ahead of Dylan Hartley as one of three hookers and he finished as the test hooker. Which brings us to the start of the inaugural Fall Nations Cup, which begins on Friday night with Ireland entertaining Wales in Dublin. Will the opportunity call again during the next month?

It could be argued that the absence of New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina due to the Covid-19 pandemic will have reduced the competitive intensity that players are exposed to.

And yet the staging of what is effectively a Six Nations-plus tournament could also be seen as a glorious month-long test of the Lions, providing Gatland with valuable information and data on how his "likely", "possible" and "bolters" match in head-to-head context.

Gatland will undoubtedly use the Six Nations performances next year as the ultimate decider, but never before has a Lions coach had the luxury of scrutinizing so many internationals among local unions in the same season, and this fall too. There is a competitive advantage, with a cup at stake for the first time.

The evolution of the respective teams in the year after the World Cup brings an additional advantage to Gatland. Each team is already in the process of bleeding new faces, but this fall they will fight not with their Southern Hemisphere counterparts but directly with potential rivals for the Lions team.

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Hat-Trick Hero George and Lowe Stars on Debut

The opening weekend of the inaugural Fall Nations Cup featured a host of international matches, lots of attempts, and no shortage of drama. Ireland kicked off the show with an impressive win against Wales on Friday night before Scotland continued their winning streak with a hard-won victory over Italy. Rugby enthusiasts can book British lions 2021 tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

A physical battle between England and Georgia concluded the first round at Twickenham, with the reigning Six Nations champions showing their power to secure extra points success. And with the ticking of the clock towards the 2021 Tour to South Africa, there were a number of individual performances that would certainly have piqued Warren Gatland's interest.

GEORGE TREBLE DOWNS GEORGIA

It was a brutal physique that dominated the day when England proved they were more than a match for Georgia's heavyweight group, with the hosts prevailing 40-0 on their return home. Flanker Jack Willis marked his debut with an attempt to get the score going for the hosts, who had not played at home since their Six Nations victory against Wales in March.

Then it was time for the Jamie George show, as the 2017 British and Irish Lions hooker benefited from powerful mauls to crash over the cover-up twice in nearly identical moves. Two fellow Lions also combined for the bonus point trial at the peak of the break, with Jonathan Joseph breaking in midfield before finding Elliot Daly to put England 26-0 up.

George completed his hat-trick becoming the first English hooker to hit a test triple after the interval with another replica of his first two scores, while Dan Robson dived to bring in England's sixth, with Owen Farrell converting five of those.

And George was happy to keep his own contribution low-key, saying, "It was a great team performance. What I liked the most was that when it came to forwards, we got on the plate."

SCOTLAND KEEP THE MOMENTUM

Scotland posted their fifth straight win by beating Italy 28-17 in Florence, but Gregor Townsend's men didn't have it all their way in their Fall Nations Cup arc. The Azzurri were ready for the game from the first whistle and Paolo Garbisi's booty together with Matteo Minozzi's first-half try ensured the hosts won 11-7 at half-time.

Duhan van der Merwe's impressive try kept the visitors in touch, but Garbisi extended Italy's lead after the restart with another penalty before Zander Fagerson try tied the score. Garbisi struck again to reestablish Italy's lead as momentum continued to waver before the turning point in the game arrived with just under 15 minutes to play.

Scotland put faith in their pack and parried a shot on goal, resulting in a lineout maul that eventually gave Scott Cummings a chance to improve. Duncan Weir's third successful conversion put the visitors four ahead, but they weren't finished yet, crossing through George Turner again for a valuable extra point attempt.

IRELAND RAIN IN THE JONES PARADE

It was a great night for two greats from the Lions and Wales on Friday, as Alun Wyn Jones made it up 150 caps and George North came off the bench for his 100th international appearance. But his milestones were among the only highlights for Wayne Pivac's team, which was beaten for the sixth straight loss to Ireland in their final Fall Nations Cup game.

The first tournament saw Andy Farrell's men open a 16-6 lead at halftime, with Quinn Roux's try, Johnny Sexton's eight points and a Billy Burns penalty doing the damage. Leigh Halfpenny took two penalties in the first half and added another after the break to keep Wales in touch, but his efforts were in vain when Ireland pulled away in the final stages.

Burns scored another penalty before Conor Murray took over the kicking duties and nailed another couple of attempts, adding a conversion later after James Lowe crossed on his debut. Lowe looked at home on the international stage when he won his first international match, while Jamison Gibson-Park and Caelan Doris also impressed on an unforgettable night for Farrell and his team.

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Maybe Lions next: James Lowe tipped for British Lions call-up following Ireland debut

It's been three years in the making, but New Zealand-born winger James Lowe has finally impressively taken the international stage, scoring a try on his debut for Ireland. Rugby fans can book British lions 2021 tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

Lowe, named to start on the left-wing, scored a first test trial in the 81st minute of his team's 32-9 victory over Wales in the opening match of the Autumn Nations Cup in Dublin.

The 28-year-old did little harm to his actions when he made the move to test rugby, earning praise from various quarters and a 7/10 rating in RugbyPass player ratings for his efforts at Aviva Stadium. His appearance in the emerald green jersey culminates a 36-month journey he undertook to be eligible for Ireland after moving to his adopted nation from New Zealand to play for Leinster in 2017.

James Lowe

Lowe has thrived since his transfer from the Chiefs to the Irish club giants, scoring 33 attempts in 49 outings as he played a key role in the success of PRO14 and Champions Cup in recent seasons. An equally fruitful period in the Irish national team appears to be ahead for the former Maori All Blacks representative, with fans and experts on Twitter voicing their thoughts on Lowe's first foray into international rugby.

Some users were bold in their evaluations of Lowe’s performance, even going so far as to suggest that the sprinter could be in line for a British and Irish Lions call-up for their 2021 South Africa tour. A friend of mine in Nelson told me that James Lowe has now scored in his Tasman debut, the Chiefs, New Zealand M?ori, Leinster and Ireland. Maybe the Lions are next?

Warren Gatland

If Lions boss Warren Gatland selected him on next year's squad, he would join an exclusive group of players who played both for and against the Lions. Having appeared for the Maori All Blacks in their 32-10 loss to the Lions three years ago, it would not be unattainable for Lowe to join Riki Flutey, James Hook, Jared Payne and Elliot Daly in accomplishing such a feat.

With the remainder of the Fall Nations Cup, a Six Nations campaign, and the European club season still to play between now and that team, there's plenty of time for Lowe to make his case for a Republic tour in eight months. Elsewhere, those with ties to Kiwi, however, were disappointed by New Zealand's profligacy in allowing the Nelson-born product to escape the clutches of the All Blacks.

Some users even used Lowe's debut to criticize Ireland's selection policy that allows the New Zealander to play for the country but prevents French star Simon Zebo from adding to his 35 international matches.

Others were simply happy to see Lowe in an Irish jersey for the first time and were excited about what the future held for the prolific shot scorer. Lowe's next chance to play for Ireland will come next Saturday when Andy Farrell's team travels to London to face England at Twickenham in the second round of the Fall Nations Cup.

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The Louw predicts lions tour will be an incredible show

An impressive spectacle awaits fans in 2021 when the British & Irish Lions head to South Africa for their quadrennial tour, and former Springbok flank Francois Louw acknowledges that tourists will have a point to prove against the men in green and gold.

With long-time Warren Gatland leading the Lions charge into the Republic next year, tourists are sure to be a dangerous prospect as they set out to repeat the famous series victories of 1997 and 1974. Rugby fans can book British lions 2021 tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

Gatland is no stranger to Louw, who played Wales seven times in his Springbok career, each time with the experienced New Zealand coach at the helm of the Red Dragons. After Wales beat the Boks for the first time in 1999, it took them another 15 years for their second win over South Africa in 2014.

Since then and including that game, where Jean de Villiers seriously injured his knee in Cardiff, Wales' record against the Boks is four wins in six games played in Cardiff, Washington DC, London and Tokyo. His only two losses were in the 2015 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals and the 2019 semi-final.

Francois Louw

Louw played a pivotal role in the RWC playoff last year, forcing a penalty that eventually led to Handré Pollard kicking the match-winning triple in a very close match. And he believes that next year's British & Irish Lions tour will again be a close competition.

"I think we can look forward to an exciting campaign next year and the Lions will want to prove a point," said Louw, who recently retired from rugby in an interview with the SA Rugby Podcast.

Warren Gatland

I also think Warren Gatland will want to prove a point against South Africa, we are the reigning world champions, and that will probably add some pressure to justify that title.

“The Lions will bring a lot of history and heritage. Unfortunately, I missed playing them in 2009 for Western Province, which I wish I had done, but that's how things turned out for me.”

Louw believes that the British & Irish Lions will travel to South Africa with a point to prove and aim to shut out the Springboks in the three-round series, but having been involved with Bok's team last year and knowing the players, they are not knows. I think it will happen.

“It is an exciting prospect for any British or Irish player to represent their country at the top. But with the Lions you add a little extra step: you are considered the best,” said Louw, who played rugby in England with Bath for the past decade.

British Lions and South Africa

It's one thing to be good enough to play in your country, but you are now considered good enough to play for a team made up of players from four countries. It's a level and a great motivation for the guys here, they all want to play for the Lions and hope to be selected to play in a red jersey test and I'm sure they will enjoy the opportunity to play in the South Africa.

Obviously a large part of the team is usually made up of English players and with us we beat them in the final of the World Cup last year, I think they will have a point to prove. Those players become a different team when they wear the Lions jersey.

“They are a good team and always have been, but it is a difficult tour with some matches during the week so they will probably go to South Africa with almost two full teams. Having the next tour in South Africa is also exciting for fans. They are really looking forward to going to South Africa and I think it has the potential to be an incredible show.”

The first eight podcasts also available on Soundcloud, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts feature Rassie Erasmus; Branco du Preez, Aled Walters and Jacques Nienaber; Cheslin Kolbe and Handre Pollard; Bongi Mbonambi, Malcolm Marx and Schalk Brits; Joel Stransky; Jurie Roux; Mark Andrews; and Francois Pienaar, and can be accessed here.

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The Famous Grouse on board for the British Lions tour of SA

The announcement, which was made jointly by SA Rugby and the British & Irish Lions on Thursday, builds on more than 30 years of the well-known whiskey brand's involvement with rugby. Rugby enthusiasts can book British lions 2021 tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

The Famous Grouse will be the official whiskey of the British & Irish Lions and SA Rugby for the Castle Lager Lions series in 2021, and fans will be able to engage in the latest conversations and celebrate 'The Spirit of Rugby' with @TheFamousGrouseRugby on Twitter.

In addition to having access to players from both teams and revealing stories of team spirit and camaraderie, The Famous Grouse will also host activations at every game on the tour and in key fan areas, as well as giving fans the opportunity to see a Lions training session and enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour on game day.

Jurie Roux

Jurie Roux, Chief Executive Officer of SA Rugby, said: "We are very excited to introduce the proud history and heritage of the Springboks at The Famous Grouse by welcoming Lions to the shores of South Africa in 2021. The fans can expect South Africa to be a warm and hospitable host as we cherish one of the greatest sporting occasions in world rugby. We will toast to that."

Ben Calveley

Ben Calveley, Managing Director of British & Irish Lions, said: "We are delighted to have agreed on a partnership with The Famous Grouse ahead of our South African tour next year. It is a brand known for its innovative and engaging approach to sponsorship and we look forward to working together to create a truly memorable series."

Mark Riley

Mark Riley, Managing Director of Edrington-Beam Suntory UK, said: "The Famous Grouse has been investing in the sport of rugby for the past 30 years and we are very proud to have reaffirmed our commitment to this great game by embracing these three exciting new international and club partnerships to celebrate The Famous Grouse as The Spirit of Rugby."

As the UK's number one whiskey, we recognize the value of team spirit and the level of determination it takes to be the best. This is synonymous with the desire, pride and camaraderie that we see every game day on the rugby field.

"These new partnerships are another important milestone in The Famous Grouse's journey to deliver fruitful collaborations that benefit all stakeholders and rugby supporters in particular."

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British Lions lock horns with Springboks

The Rolls Royce of the test rugby series only takes place every 12 years in South Africa. In 2021, the British and Irish Lions will face the current 2019 Rugby World Cup winners, the Springboks. So, for any rugby player in the country, this is the team you want to be selected for, to play against old rivals from the northern hemisphere, the British & Irish Lions team.

The national beer brand, Castle Lager, will be the official sponsor of the British & Irish Lions 2021 Tour of South Africa. As a brand woven into the South African sports fabric, Castle Lager is an appropriate starting partner for a tour that will see the best of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland play against the Springboks. Rugby fans can book British lions 2021 tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

"We are very proud to become the Official Title Partner of such a great sporting event on the Lions Tour," said Castle Lager Brand Director Kudzi Mathabire.

"Castle Lager has an established history of improving the sporting events with which it is associated, and we look forward to working with the Lions and SA Rugby to create a truly memorable Series."

Celebrating 125 years, the brand has been the embodiment of endurance and unity, uniting people around two of the nation's favorite pastimes, sports and braai. This makes Castle Lager the perfect partner for the Lions Series.

The Springboks have not played a single test match since they became world champions and instead the players who will be selected for the Northern Hemisphere team will be in good shape as they are already playing test rugby.

As part of the agreement, Castle Lager will receive a wide range of rights within the stadiums, including ticket sales, hospitality, pouring rights, as well as team branding rights and access to players and coaches from Springbok and Lions. The deal also includes a newly created Castle Lager brand Tour series logo for use across a wide range of digital social media, marketing and streaming platforms.

The announcement stems from the massive interest in the Castle Lager Lions Series from South African rugby fans. There have been more than 324,000 ticket requests since the ballot was opened just nine weeks ago, and tickets for the three-test matches have been oversubscribed.

Ben Calveley

"Castle Lager has extensive experience sponsoring rugby, and we are delighted that they have made such an important commitment to support the Tour," said Ben Calveley, managing director of the British and Irish Lions.

The new partnership with Castle Lager reaffirms the brand's commitment to promoting the sport in South Africa through sponsorship, in particular SA Rugby and the Springboks, with whom it has been associated since 1997.

British and Irish Lions

The Castle Lager Lions series kicks off July 3 and sees the Lions visit some of the most impressive stadiums in world sport. The Lions face DHL Stormers in Cape Town in Game 1. Three weeks later, the “Calabash” at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, a venue that previously hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup final, will host the first round.

The second test follows on July 31 at the Cape Town Stadium, before tourists return to Gauteng for the final test on August 7 at Emirates Airline Park, the historic venue for the Rugby World Cup final. 1995. The British Lions have toured South Africa 13 times before, with the first Tour taking place in 1891. During that time, the Lions won series of four rounds and lost eight with a draw.

Their overall record against the Springboks is: they played 46, won 17, lost 23 and drew six.

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British & Irish Lions tour is something surreal for both players and followers

JOHANNESBURG - The British and Lions Tour holds a special place in the heart of world rugby it harkens back to what the game was and reveals what it has become and encompasses the glory, the camaraderie and fraternity that separates the sport from all others. Rugby enthusiasts can book British lions 2021 tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

For many players, honored enough to play against the combined might of the four home nations, it is the nadir of their careers, whether it be at provincial or Test level. For many supporters, it is a 12-year long wait to build new memories and remember fondly the year that the Lions returned to once again wrestle pride and supremacy away from the Springboks.

That was the decree of Springbok legend John Smit on Thursday when the series sponsor was revealed to be Castle Lager for next year's tour at FNB Stadium, which will host the first Test between the two combatants on July 24 next year.

Said the former captain of the Boks, who led the national team in the hardcore 2009 series: "One of the best experiences and the best stories I have ever told, was my experience playing for the Sharks against the British and Irish Lions in Durban."

I think it was my second first-class game, I was 19-years-old, Smit continued and to be able to go on 12 years later and to experience it full on was a privilege. The youngsters who get that opportunity, even if I ever only played the Lions in 97, I would have held onto that thing. I still have that jersey.

"It is just something that you can't mimic anywhere else and that experience is what will get the youngsters next year super hungry to fight for that green and gold jersey and, hopefully, hold onto it."

It was a sentiment shared by fellow Bok legend Beast Mtwarira and 2019 World Rugby player of the year Pieter-Steph du Toit, who will no doubt be involved in 2021. Beast was a newfangled Springbok in 2009, having made his debut for the Boks a year earlier against Wales and the 2019 World Cup winner recalled his Lions experience fondly with a smile and a chuckle.

"I think it is surreal playing against the Lions, it certainly was for me to be a part of that 2000 team, said Beast in his trademark baritone. It comes around every 12 years, so not a lot of players get the opportunity to play against the Lions."

"The Lions tour was massive for me. To rub shoulders with the likes of Juan Smith and Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield, guys who had won the World Cup in 2007, was just a huge honor. The atmosphere at a Lions game is just incredible, it is nothing like you have ever seen."

"I was raring to go with the energy and excitement, Beast continued later of the 2009 Test series. My advice to the young guys would be, a part of it is to just enjoy the occasion, take it for what it is, because it is a huge honor. Guys that have won the world cup, haven't had the chance to face the Lions, so you have to embrace it for what it is and just go out there and play your best rugby."

For PSTD, if he is fit and remains so, it will be another feather in the 28-year-old's cap. The 2019 World Cup winner was 17-years-old when John Smit and Co rectified the disastrous defeat of 1997 12 years later, and when asked about his feelings around the upcoming tour, it sparked a joyous memory of sibling rivalry and love.

All three games, me and my parents and my brothers watched at our house and I always say if you watch a Springbok game at our house, you don't want to be a supporter there because it is just crazy there. Everything gets duplicated there.

"For instance, I remember when Heinrich Brussow in 2009 just picked up one of the players as a bag of potatoes and threw him off the field and then, the same thing happened in our living room. So, after the game, we always went to play and always dreamt about playing for the Boks and against the Lions."

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Warren Gatland says it would be difficult for Howley to join the British Lions coaching staff

British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland said it would be a little difficult to have Rob Howley on his coaching staff due to questions his former assistant might face following a ban for violating betting rules. Rugby enthusiasts can book British lions 2021 tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

Howley was suspended for 18 months, with a nine-month suspension and the sanction dropped back to September 16, the day he was sent home from the Wales Rugby World Cup campaign in Japan last year. Since then, he has been appointed assistant coach of Canada. Former Wales coach Gatland, who worked with Howley on the Lions' previous two tours, is gearing up for his tour of world champions South Africa next year.

"The last thing you want is for people to bring up the past and deviate from what their preparation and focus is for a Lions tour," Gatland told reporters when asked if Howley would be in the running for a Market Stall.

"That makes it a bit difficult because it's the last thing me and someone like Rob would want to happen. Gatland said, however, that he was "delighted" with Howley in naming him to Canada. He is an outstanding coach, he understands the mistakes he has made and I hope he does really well."

The Lions will face Japan in Edinburgh on June 26, 2021, before playing three tryouts and five warm-up games on the tour of South Africa that is scheduled to run from July 3 to August 7.

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The British and Irish Lions official tour app unveiled by Vodafone

Vodafone UK & Ireland has launched a new state-of-the-art app featuring the British and Irish Lions that will allow rugby fans for the first time to 'become a Lion', virtually, and fully immerse themselves in the action of the Lions as the account regressive for next year's Tour. Rugby enthusiasts can book British lions 2021 tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

The new official Lions app is available for download now. It will offer a variety of interactive features including the "Digital Lions," a fully animated virtual avatar tool developed with the same technology seen in Fortnite and FIFA. A first for rugby, the "Digital Lions" feature will allow fans to interact with Lions players past and present as well as other fans.

Fan-created custom "Digital Lions" avatars will be the first to wear the new British and Irish Lions jersey when it is revealed and fans will be able to share their avatars on social media and messaging platforms.

They can also bring their avatar to life in 3D augmented reality and choose from a variety of animation options. In the coming weeks, fans will also discover new ways to personalize their "Digital Lion". This will include the ability to base your avatar on some traditional player positions, for example, prop, second row, or scrum-half.

The app will be the ultimate companion for any rugby fan on the long-awaited Tour 2021 as it will deliver the latest news, fixtures, ticket deals, products and interactive fan experiences all in one place. Other features include the "Selector XV". This allows users to choose the starting lineup that they can share on social media and messaging platforms while comparing their dream team with their friends and other fans.

As the excitement of the Tour increases, new features will be added to the app such as the ability to pose with former legendary Lions players in AR augmented reality, the ability for fans to use their avatar to play games in the app, as well as the opportunity to unlock tickets and merchandise.

Next year, when the games are played, the ambition is for the app to act as an augmented reality portal for fans to get a first-person view of all the action in South Africa, from the comfort of their own home. The app's "Match Center" feature will provide live updates on all Lions news from information about the games being played to scores, scorers, teams and match statistics.

Max Taylor

Max Taylor, Vodafone UK Chief Commercial Officer, said: We want to give fans the most immersive Lions experience possible. Our new app will be the ultimate in digital self-expression. A fan's "Digital Lion" will become their companion during the preparation of the Tour and the Tour itself, bringing them closer to the action and other fans than ever before.

The app has everything you would expect and more, from the latest news, matches, tickets, contests, and merchandise, to player stats, fan polls, and contests. Fans can choose their "dream team" and share it on social media. They can participate in games within the app.

So they can get a first-person view of the action in South Africa through the eyes of their avatar. They can also keep up to date with our live "Match Center" so they never miss a moment. We have designed the official app of the British and Irish Lions to unite pride like never before.

Ben Calveley

Ben Calveley, Managing Director of British & Irish Lions said: As the countdown to next year's Tour continues, we are excited to launch the official Lions app together with our partners Vodafone.

This highly innovative app featuring state-of-the-art fan engagement functionality such as the 'Digital Lion' and 'XV Selector' will further complement our digital channels allowing fans to engage with the Lions in ways new and exciting.

We have already seen record engagement figures on our social media channels this year. We look forward to continuing to deliver best-in-class digital content to Lions fans around the world.

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Warren Gatland fires the British Lions warning to England-based players

British and Irish Lions Coach Warren Gatland has warned players to miss the team's preparation match against Japan on June 26 that they will be at a disadvantage when he makes his final selection for the world champions South Africa tour. Rugby fans can book British lions 2021 tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

The Lions are locked in a battle with Premiership Rugby for the release of players with the final of the competition to be played the same weekend, which falls outside of the World Rugby Regulation 9 period that forces clubs to release. Players.

Gatland has revealed that the Lions are also planning a camp in Wales ahead of the Japan game, which will be important in formulating their draft plans.

"It is not 100% final at this time that the players will not be released, there are still some negotiations that will continue between now and then," Gatland told reporters Wednesday.

But if England has a great Six Nations, it could mean that a third of the players on the Lions team are missing for the Japan game and a camp in Wales last week.

"We want to take the best players on the road, but the reality is that it could affect the national team. If you end up with a 50-50 call to a player, players who may be in camp in Wales and the Japan game could get the go-ahead on someone who is not available until the week before the first game in South Africa."

Warren Gatland

Gatland has suggested that England's players should apply for the release of their clubs.

“Hopefully common sense prevails, to go on a Lions tour and the interest it creates in and out of the sport, you can come back as a superstar. Maybe the players need to express their opinion on that, I think it would be quite powerful,” he said.

Only two of the 12 top-tier English clubs will participate in the final, but Premiership Rugby has said that none will release players before the Regulation 9 window, including Saracens, who will compete in the Championship. The Lions will play three tryouts and five prep games on the tour that runs from July 3 to August. 7.

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