The Hong Kong Rugby Union look poised to make an audacious bid to entice the 2013 British & Irish Lions to play a game there on the way to Australia.
The South China Morning Post reported at the weekend that exploratory discussions had taken place between the chairman of HKRU, Trevor Gregory, and the Lions hierarchy about staging a game between the tourists and, possibly, a Barbarians XV.
"The HKRFU has had discussions with the British & Irish Lions regarding hosting a match as part of the tour of Australia in 2013," said Gregory.
"We understand the Lions are looking at different options but we believe Hong Kong would make a great host for such an historic match. The Lions have a unique heritage in international sport and Hong Kong is a proven venue for making rugby history, as was seen in the positive reaction to our hosting the Bledisloe Cup in 2008."
The 2013 tour will mark the 125th anniversary of the first trip overseas made by a British team when Rob Seddon’s side traveled to New Zealand and Australia. There have been examples in the past of the Lions playing games before and after their regular tours and in 2005 they front loaded their trip to New Zealand with a Test against Argentina at the Millennium Stadium.
But with formal arrangements between the Australian Rugby Union and the Lions about the 2013 tour still be completed it is far too soon to say whether or not the Hong Kong bid will be successful.
