Lions Confirmed For 2013 Australia Tour

The Australian Rugby Union has today confirmed the schedule for the British &
Irish Lions’ tour of Australia in June and July of 2013, with three Test matches against the Wallabies scheduled to be
played on their nine-match journey.

Melbourne will host two matches – including one of the Tests – when the Lions make their return Down Under.

The
Lions visit Australia once every 12 years, and the 2013 tour will start
with a match against Super Rugby side the Western Force in Perth on
Wednesday, 5th June, and ends with the Third Test in Sydney on Saturday,
6th July.

The team will also play Melbourne Rebels on Tuesday,
25th June at AAMI Park, before facing the Wallabies in the Second Test
at Etihad Stadium.

ARU managing director and CEO John O’Neill,
said: ‘The Lions tour here in 2001 was an extraordinary event and one
which provided significant economic benefit to those cities which hosted
major matches.’

‘More than 8000 Lions supporters came to
Australia from the UK and Ireland on official tour packages and many
more thousands made their own way here.’

‘Four years ago in
South Africa there were said to be 40,000 Lions fans that made the trek
there to support their team. A Lions Tour is a massive occasion. Behind
the Rugby World Cup it is the most engaging, high-profile and popular
event our game can showcase. It is not just about the three Tests. It is
about the hype and momentum a tour of six weeks develops.’

Before arriving in Australia, the Lions will kick off their campaign in Hong Kong against the Barbarians on Saturday, 1st June.