History as Lions meet Japan in tour warm-up

THE British and Irish Lions will play Japan at Murrayfield next summer in a curtain-raiser Test match to their 2021 South Africa tour.

The Lions have confirmed June 26 – the same day as next season’s Gallagher Premiership final – for a first meeting in their long and illustrious history against Japan.

The Edinburgh encounter is a week before the Lions’ tour opener in Cape Town, and it will be their first Test appearance on British or Irish soil since drawing 25-25 with Argentina in Cardiff 15 years ago.

The Lions have never previously played in Scotland.

The Lions’ eight-match South Africa trip begins on July 3 and is highlighted by three Tests against the Springboks. The 2021 Premiership final means that Gatland is unlikely to have a full squad to choose from for the Japan fixture, although any absentees should be minimal.

George Ford has been ruled out of England’s Quilter Cup clash against the Barbarians this weekend, but Eddie Jones has bolstered his squad with a trio of Bristol players.

Fly-half Ford has withdrawn with a “pre-existing Achilles issue”. No timescale has yet been put on his recovery.

Jones has been able to to add to his group, though, calling up Kyle Sinckler, Ben Earl and, for the first time, Max Malins.

The trio had originally been left out due to uncertainty over Bristol’s potential role in the Gallagher Premiership final.

Following their clash with the Baa Baas, England will move on to Rome for the delayed conclusion of their Six Nations campaign against Italy.