British Airways has been named as the global airline partner of the 2021 Castle Lager Lions Series. The airline will fly the British & Irish Lions rugby squad to South Africa for the summer tour and both the Lions and Springboks will be carried across the country to matches by BA’s franchise partner, Comair.
The Lions play Japan at BT Murrayfield in Edinburgh on 26 June and a day later the 37-man squad will board a BA charter flight from the Scottish capital to Johannesburg. In South Africa the Lions will play five warm-up matches and then three Tests against the Springboks.
Sean Doyle, British Airways’ chairman and CEO, said: “We are honoured to be flying the British & Irish Lions to South Africa ahead of their tour. After a difficult year, we look forward to uniting the nation through sport and cheering them on. From everyone at British Airways, we wish them the best of luck and hope to carry them home as champions.”
Ben Calveley, managing director for the Lions, added: “We are delighted to be flying with British Airways for the 2021 Castle Lager Lions Series. We know the squad and management will receive a warm welcome from British Airways staff and enjoy a safe, comfortable journey to South Africa, landing in Johannesburg ready to take on the world champions.”
As well as the partnership with the Lions, British Airways is also currently the principal partner to Twickenham Stadium, official airline partner to England Rugby and has been the official airline partner to Team GB and Paralympics GB since 2008.
Lions tour of South Africa 2021 fixtures
Emirates Lions vs. The British & Irish Lions
When: Saturday 3 July
When: Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
Time: 5pm BST
Cell C Sharks vs. The British & Irish Lions
When: Wednesday 7 July
Where: Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
Time: 7pm BST
Vodacom Bulls vs. The British & Irish Lions
When: Saturday 10 July
Where: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Time: 5pm BST
South Africa ‘A’ vs. The British & Irish Lions
When: Wednesday 14 July
Where: Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Time: 7pm BST
DHL Stormers vs. The British & Irish Lions
When: Saturday 17 July
Where: Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Time: 5pm BST
1st Test: Springboks vs. The British & Irish Lions
When: Saturday 24 July
Where: Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Time: 5pm BST
2nd Test: Springboks vs. The British & Irish Lions
When: Saturday 31 July
Where: FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
Time: 5pm BST
3rd Test: Springboks vs. The British & Irish Lions
When: Saturday 7 August
Where: FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
Time: 5pm BST
British & Irish Lions squad
The Lions squad is made up of players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Head coach Warren Gatland has picked a 37-man squad for the South Africa tour. Wales star Alun Wyn Jones has been named captain.
- Backs: Josh Adams (Wales), Bundee Aki (Ireland), Dan Biggar (Wales), Elliot Daly (England), Gareth Davies (Wales), Owen Farrell (England), Chris Harris (Scotland), Robbie Henshaw (Ireland), Stuart Hogg (Scotland), Conor Murray (Ireland), Ali Price (Scotland), Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales), Finn Russell (Scotland), Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland), Anthony Watson (England), Liam Williams (Wales)
- Forwards: Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), Jack Conan (Ireland), Luke Cowan-Dickie (England), Tom Curry (England), Zander Fagerson (Scotland), Taulupe Faletau (Wales), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Jamie George (England), Iain Henderson (Ireland), Jonny Hill (England), Maro Itoje (England), Alun Wyn Jones (Wales – captain), Wyn Jones (Wales), Courtney Lawes (England), Ken Owens (Wales), Sam Simmonds (England), Kyle Sinckler (England), Rory Sutherland (Scotland), Justin Tipuric (Wales), Mako Vunipola (England), Hamish Watson (Scotland)