Lions announce first ever Hong Kong fixture

The British and Irish Lions have announced that they will launch their 2013 tour to Australia with a match in Hong Kong. The game, which will see the Lions line up against the Barbarians, will be the first time they have played in the region.
Hong Kong hosts the annual IRB Hong Kong Sevens, and the final Bledisloe Cup tie of 2010 between New Zealand and Australia on 30th October.
Tthe Lions also announced yesterday that they have renewed their sponsorship deal with HSBC until the end of the 2013 tour. Under the agreement, the bank will continue as the Lionsâ principle partner and shirt sponsor, extending an agreement that was first signed in 2007.
HSBC succeeded Zurich Insurance as the main Lions sponsor for the 2009 tour in a deal worth between £3 million and £4 million.