Guinness and Bushmills partner with 2009 Lions Tour

Published: 23 July, 2008

Two of Diageo's flagship brands Guinness and Bushmills Irish whiskey have been announced as commercial partners of the British & Irish Lions Tour of South Africa in 2009.

Guinness, as an official sponsor of the 2009 Tour, is the Official Beer of the British & Irish Lions', while Bushmills Irish whiskey, an official supplier to the tour, is the Official Spirit of the British & Irish Lions'.

Lee Bailey, Guinness sponsorship manager, Diageo Great Britain commented: "A British & Irish Lions rugby tour is always a hugely popular and well-watched sporting occasion in the UK and Ireland. It offers Guinness and Bushmills a fantastic opportunity to build excitement around the games and enhance fan involvement as much as possible."

The alignment with the British & Irish Lions Tour will cover the 10-match tour of South Africa next summer, including three test Matches against the Springboks, the current Rugby World Cup champions.

British and Irish Lions Tour Dates

Saturday May 30 - Highveld XV, Royal Bafokeng

Wednesday June 3 - Golden Lions, Ellis Park

Saturday June 6 - Cheetahs, Vodacom Park

Wednesday June 10 - Sharks, ABSA Park

Saturday June 13 - Western Province, Newlands

Tuesday/Wednesday June 16/17 - Coastal XV (full details still to be confirmed)

Saturday June 20 - First Test, ABSA Park

Tuesday June 23 - Emerging Springboks, Newlands

Saturday June 27 - Second Test, Loftus Versfeld

Saturday July 4 - Third Test, Ellis Park

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