The British and Irish Lions will play Japan at Murrayfield during the next northern hemisphere summer in a curtain-raiser Test match for their 2021 South Africa tour.
The Lions have confirmed June 26 – the same day as next season’s Gallagher Premiership final – for a first meeting in their long and illustrious history against Japan.
The Edinburgh encounter is a week before the Lions’ tour opener in Cape Town, and it will be their first Test appearance on British or Irish soil since drawing 25-25 with Argentina in Cardiff 15 years ago.
The Lions have never previously played in Scotland.
“One of our objectives is to give Warren (Lions head coach Warren Gatland) and the playing squad as much meaningful preparation as possible before departing on tour, so we are delighted to have agreed this fixture,” Lions managing director Ben Calveley said.
“A Lions Test is one of the most iconic events in world sport, but a huge number of fans from the Home Nations never get the chance to see one live.”
World Cup host nation Japan reached the tournament’s quarter-finals last year, beating Ireland, Scotland, Samoa and Russia in the pool stage before bowing out to eventual winners South Africa.
“We saw Japan play some excellent rugby during the World Cup, and they will come to Edinburgh fully motivated to win,” Gatland said.
“They are a talented side who play high-tempo rugby, so it will be a good challenge for us ahead of the tour and a chance for the match-day squad to put their hands up for Test selection.”
The Lions’ eight-match South Africa trip begins on July 3 and is highlighted by three Tests against the Springboks.