Some classic Lions v Barbarians tries to get you in the mood for tomorrow

Let’s have a rugby party like it was 1977.

AT MIDDAY TOMORROW (Irish time) the Lions will open the 2013 Tour with an exhibition match against the Barbarians in Hong Kong.

Paul O’Connell will captain the side and fellow Irishmen Jamie Heaslip, Conor Murray, Cian Healy and Jonny Sexton on the Lions’ bench.

To set the tone for what we hope will be a swashbuckling game of rugby – heavy on the try-count but low on injuries – here is some classic footage of a 1977 clash between the Lions and Baa Baa’s at Twickenham.

Check out flying Lions fullback Andy Irvine [now tour manager] and Ian ‘Geech’ McGeechan [head coach in 1997 and 2009] in action:

YouTube credit: VGoro HD Rugby

What are your predictions for the opening match?

Beer for breakfast and 7 more steps to the perfect Lions-watching party

Snapshot: Jonny Sexton gets in some Hong Kong kicking practice

Author

Patrick McCarry

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