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The British and Irish Lions will play Test matches in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney when they tour Australia in 2013.
The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) confirmed the schedule on Monday for the tour, which will be the representative team's first visit since their 2-1 series defeat to the Wallabies in 2001.
The Lions will play six tour matches in addition to the three Tests.
They begin the tour with a match against the Western Force in Perth on 5 June, before taking on the Queensland Reds in Brisbane three days later.
A combined New South Wales-Queensland country team provide the opposition in Newcastle on 12 June, followed by matches against the NSW Waratahs and ACT Brumbies in the following six days.
The first Test takes place at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on 22 June.
The final tour match will be against the Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park on 25 June, followed by the second Test at Etihad Stadium three days later.
The tour concludes with the final Test at ANZ Stadium on 6 July.
"The Lions tour here in 2001 was an extraordinary event and one which provided significant economic benefit to those cities which hosted major matches," ARU chief John O'Neill said.
"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."
Prior to their arrival in Australia, the Lions take on the Barbarians in Hong Kong on 1 June.
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2013 Lions schedule confirmed.
posted on 30/11/11
Dingbat, out of interest.. If you had to put together a Lions team now to play against Australia tomorrow what would it be?
posted on 30/11/11
Healy, Best, Adam Jones, POC, Gray, Ferris, Warburton, SOB, Phillips, Priestland, Roberts, Davies, Bowe, Ashton, Kearney.
Subs would be more effort than im willing to give right now. Might have Foden instead of Kearney, but think recently Kearney has been better. I know im not Dingbat, but I didnt have to do any work for the 5 minutes I was doing out this team.
posted on 30/11/11
Comment Deleted by Article Creator
posted on 30/11/11
I would put the welsh 15 on hahaha,
15: Kearney
14: North/Bowe really difficult... North on WC form.
13: Dont know... im looking for outstanding player but none come to mind... Need a playmaker to create inside holes for Roberts, or indeed to feed off the roberts offloads. Someone with quick feet and a quicker brain... alas! BOD is injured *wiping my eye*
12: Roberts
11: SW (last game and all that and still worldclass!)
10: Sexton/Priestland Difficult!!!! But only 2 choices... Don't really know! Sexton is back to form but Priestland is awesome too. Perhaps Sexton for the experience..
9: Phillips
8: Heaslip
7: Warburton
6: O'Brian
5: POC (Captain)
4: R Gray
3: Healy
2: R Best
1: Jenkins
6 welsh,
5 irish,
1 Scotsman
2 don't knows
posted on 30/11/11
oppps
6 welsh,
6 irish,********
1 Scotsman
2 don't knows
posted on 30/11/11
irishleeds
Ashton ??? no way hes far to expensive.... the lions is an honour, players dont get paid. he would not be interested.
BOOM BOOM
Good call!!! I forgot about Davies!!!! ad him as my 13!!
posted on 1/12/11
Get Tindall in at 13 - you know I'm right!!!