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British and Irish Lions 2013 schedule announced

Lions 2013 schedule announced
© PA Photos
The Britisha and Irish Lions announce the schedule of their 2013 tour to Australia.

The British and Irish Lions have announced the schedule for their tour to Australia in 2013.

The best of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales will take on the Wallabies in Brisbane on June 22, Melbourne on June 29 and Sydney on July 6.

The Wallabies won the last Lions series in Australia in 2001 by two Tests to one.

The Lions will also take on Australian Super 15 teams Western Force in Perth on June 5, the Reds in Brisbane on June 8, the Waratahs in Sydney on June 15, the Brumbies in Canberra on June 18 and the Melbourne Rebels in Melbourne on June 25.

There will also be a match against a combined NSW-Queensland Country line-up in Newcastle on June 12.

"The Lions tour here in 2001 was an extraordinary event and one which provided significant economic benefit to those cities which hosted major matches," Australian Rugby Union Managing Director John O'Neill said.

"More than 8000 Lions supporters came to Australia from the UK and Ireland on official tour packages and many more thousands made their own way here.

"Four years ago in South Africa there were said to be 40,000 Lions fans that made the trek there to support their team.

"A Lions Tour is a massive occasion. Behind the Rugby World Cup it is the most engaging, high-profile and popular event our game can showcase."

Before arriving in Australia, the Lions will face the Barbarians in Hong Kong on June 1.

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