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

The Lions have confirmed June 26 for a first meeting against the Cherry Blossoms in their long and illustrious history. It will also be the first match the Lions have ever played in Scotland.

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