Lions.

Sky Sports hve announced a jam-packed schedule of programming for its coverage of the British & Irish Lions 2021 Castle Lager Series in South Africa – complete with archive footage, documentaries and exclusive behind-the-scenes content available in addition to the five Lions warm-up games and the three Test matches.

Fans will be able to watch a total of eight live games from the tour, kicking off with the first warm-up game against the Emirates Lions in Johannesburg on July 3. On July 2, Sky Sports and NOW viewers will be able to see the Lions’ opposition in action as South Africa take on Georgia in a warm-up game for the hosts.

Replacing Sky Sports Action from Saturday, July 17 until August 10, the new pop-up channel will be the place to take in the final warm-up game for the Lions against DHL Stormers before the three Test matches get underway.

Host Alex Payne will be joined by legends of the game including former Lions and Wales captain Sam Warburton, Ireland’s leading points-scorer Ronan O’Gara as well as England’s World Cup winners Will Greenwood and Maggie Alphonsi.

Four-time Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan and Nigel Owens – the highest-capped referee of all time – will also add their expert insight and analysis from the studio, while reporter Sarra Elgan will be on the ground in South Africa with former South Africa winger Bryan Habana.

Limerick man Conor McNamara will provide the commentary for every match of the Tour to complete the Sky Sports line-up, replacing the legendary Miles Harrison while he recovers from illness.