British & Irish Lions will also play first ever game in Hong Kong, facing the Barbarians in Tour opener

Andy Irvine announced as Tour Manager to Australia in 2013, with Gerald Davies becoming Chairman of British Lions Limited.

(London – 18th October) – The British & Irish Lions today announced that HSBC has renewed their sponsorship to be Principal Partner to the British & Irish Lions. The partnership, which will run until the end of the next Lions Tour to Australia in 2013, continues the successful association between the prestigious touring side and the bank that was first signed in 2007. The agreement means that HSBC are the first Principal Partner to ever renew a sponsorship with The Lions and will see the bank become shirt sponsor of the team once again. The partnership was formally announced at a joint media conference with the British Lions Limited (BLL) committee at HSBC Private Bank in London.

At today’s media conference, BLL also announced that for the first time ever The Lions will play a game in Hong Kong, facing the Barbarians in what promises to be a historic curtain raiser to a hotly anticipated Tour.

BLL confirmed that former Lion and Scotland international, Andy Irvine, who made an amazing 41 appearances (36 provincial + 5 Tests) for The Lions, will be Tour Manager to Australia in 2013, taking over from Gerald Davies, who performed the role during the Tour to South Africa last year. Davies, the flying Welsh winger and a Lion in 1968 and 1971, was in turn appointed Chairman of BLL.

Sandy Flockhart, Executive Director for HSBC Holdings plc, said: “We are delighted to renew our association with one of the world’s greatest ever sporting events. Today’s announcement is a demonstration of the continued international appeal of the British & Irish Lions, and HSBC is committed to building on the successful relationship that was forged on last summer’s Tour to South Africa. I have no doubt that the next three years will be an exciting journey for both HSBC and The Lions, and in particular we are looking forward to welcoming The Lions and the Barbarians to Hong Kong, the bank’s spiritual  home, for an historic fixture.”

John Feehan, Chief Executive of BLL and 6 Nations, said: “It is a mark of the partnership that we have built with HSBC that we are able to announce this sponsorship renewal almost three years ahead of the next Tour to Australia. We look forward to working with HSBC over the coming months to ensure that The Lions Tour to Australia in 2013 is a success off the pitch, as well as on it. To be able to confirm today that The Lions will also break new ground with the first ever fixture in Hong Kong will ensure that the Tour to Australia is even more special and includes even more fans”.

“I would also like to congratulate Andy Irvine and Gerald Davies on their appointments today, and believe that The Lions will benefit hugely from having two highly regarded and respected former Lions at the helm for the build up and during the Tour to Australia.”

Andy Irvine, who represented The Lions in 1974, 1977 and 1980 scoring 257 points, said: “I feel honoured and privileged to be able to take on the role of Tour Manager for our 2013 visit to Australia. Last year’s Tour was a phenomenal showcase for rugby, and I look forward to upholding the best of Lions traditions when we travel to the home of the Wallabies for what will be a fantastic experience. In the meantime, I can’t wait to get my teeth into the planning and logistics that will be so crucial to the success of the Tour over the next two and a half years.”

Gerald Davies, who as Tour Manager in 2009 helped shape one of the most memorable Test series in modern times, said: “It is a huge honour for me to continue my long association with The Lions as chairman for the 2013 Tour to Australia. The Lions remains one of the greatest adventures in modern rugby and I look forward to once again sharing in the unique spirit and prestige of The Lions.”

John Spencer, Chairman of the Barbarians, is excited about the Tour curtain-raising game in Hong Kong: “The Barbarians and The Lions have a rich history and both share a unique place in the game of rugby. To bring two such sides together and be able to create history in Hong Kong is very special indeed, and it will be an incredible occasion and the perfect way to kick off the 2013 Lions Tour. We are proud and delighted to be part of such an innovative chapter in Lions history and are already looking forward to the match.”

Trevor Gregory, Chairman of the Hong Kong Rugby Union said:   “It is a great honour to welcome the legendary Lions and the Barbarians to Hong Kong in 2013. The match will be another milestone for Hong Kong Rugby and I am confident that our fans, and those from around the world, will enjoy this unique opportunity to witness the world’s top players lining up for sides that have played such a definitive role in rugby history. When you throw in Hong Kong’s reputation as one of the most famous – and festive – of global rugby destinations, rugby magic is in the making.”

Four former Lions – Simon Shaw, Gavin Hastings, Jamie Roberts and Tommy Bowe – attended today’s announcement, representing the unique spirit of The Lions in combining four home countries in one.

Gavin Hastings, who played in all three Tests in the victorious series versus Australia in 1989, said: “The Lions Tour is as special an occasion as there is in the world of rugby. Touring as a Lion and winning the Test series in Australia in 1989 was without doubt one of the highlights of my career. Having witnessed firsthand how hard a place it is to tour, I am looking forward to another closely fought series in 2013. It is also fantastic that HSBC will once again be sharing in The Lions journey having brought so much to the 2009 Tour.”

Simon Shaw, who was a key part of The Lions squad in 2009, and also toured in 1997 & 2005, said: “Having finally experienced the intensity of a Lions Test series last year in South Africa, I know how special the reputation and history of The Lions is. The 2013 Tour will be no different, and to add a fixture in Hong Kong means that once again The Lions are breaking new ground. I wish I was a bit younger so that I had a real shot of going on tour to Australia but I will certainly be watching with huge interest.”

Jamie Roberts, another who starred on his first Lions Tour in South Africa last year and was voted as HSBC Player of the Series, was excited by the prospect of a Lions Tour to Australia: “There is no greater incentive for a player from the home Unions than to earn selection for the British and Irish Lions and today’s event makes the 2013 Tour feel that little bit closer. It will be an amazing Tour and I very much hope to be involved as a player if selected.”

Tommy Bowe, who played in all three Lions Tests in 2009, was equally enthused: “The Lions Tour to Australia is a mouth watering prospect; I will be going all out to ensure my involvement in another chapter of Lions history. For HSBC to be supporting this Tour once again and for a match to be played in Hong Kong are both hugely exciting developments. I can’t wait for 2013 to come round and in the meantime I will be doing my best to earn my spot on the plane to Australia.”