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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
John Evely

How to watch the British and Irish Lions v Japan live on TV for free and team news

It is finally here.

After a four year wait the British and Irsh Lions kick off their 2021 summer tour on Saturday against Japan at BT Murrayfield.

The good news there are 16,500 supporters back inside the stadium for The Vodafone Lions 1888 Cup, but the equally good news is games are also being shown live on TV still for everyone else who can't be there.

Here are all the ways you can follow the action...

What time is kick-off?

The British and Irish Lions v Japan kicks off at 3pm on Saturday, June 26.

Is the game on TV?

While Sky Sports have the rights to the majority of the game on the British and Irish Lions' tour to South Africa to take on the World Champions Springboks this summer, the great new is Saturday's game will be shown live on terrestrial TV for free.

The game against 2019 Rugby World Cup quarter-finalists Japan will be shown live and exclusively on Channel 4.

Channel 4 will also show highlights of all three Tests against South Africa.

This will be the first time the Lions have been on terrestrial television since the 1993 Tour of New Zealand and highlights of all Castle Lager Lions Series Tour matches will be shown on All4.

Live TV coverage starts at 2.15pm.

What's the team news?

British and Irish Lions:

15. Liam Williams (Scarlets, Wales) #833

14. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby, Wales)

13. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #824

12. Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby, Ireland)

11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland)

10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints, Wales) #821

9. Conor Murray (Munster Rugby, Ireland) #790

1. Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland)

2. Ken Owens (Scarlets, Wales) #829

3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #818

4. Iain Henderson (Ulster Rugby, Ireland) #808

5. Alun Wyn Jones – Captain (Ospreys, Wales) #761

6.Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby, Ireland)

7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys, Wales) – Back row #786

8. Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby, Ireland)

Replacements:

16. Jamie George (Saracens, England) #819

17. Wyn Jones (Scarlets, Wales)

18. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, England) #814

19. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, England) #826

20. Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby, Wales) #779

21. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland)

22. Owen Farrell (Saracens, England) #780

23. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, England)#816

Japan: 1. Keita Inagaki, 2. Atsushi Sakate, 3. Jiwon Koo, 4. Wimpie van der Walt, 5. James Moore, 6. Michael Leitch (capt), 7. Pieter Labuschagne, 8. Amanaki Lelei Mafi; 9. Kaito Shigeno, 10. Yu Tamura; 11. Siosaia Fifita, 12. Ryoto Nakamura, 13. Timothy Lafaele, 14. Kotaro Matsushima, 15. Ryohei Yamanaka.

Replacements: 16. Horikoshi, 17. Millar, 18. Valu, 19. Cornelsen, 20. Himeno, 21. Tatafu, 22. Saito, 23. Matsuda.

What are the odds?

British and Irish Lions 1/14

Draw 40/1

Japan 8/1

(Odds from Sky Bet - correct at the time of publishing. Please gamble responsibly)

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