HONG KONG, June 2 (Reuters) – Alan Duckworth and Michael Thomas met for the first time last week, hours before hopping a plane from Heathrow to Hong Kong. The Englishman and the Welshman will share a hotel room for the next six weeks, in seven cities, spanning two continents as they follow the world’s most renowned touring rugby squad.

More than 20,000 fans of the British and Irish Lions rugby team are expected to travel to Australia to cheer on the 37 players as they try to capture their first series win since 1997.

HONG KONG, June 1 (Reuters) – The British and Irish Lions head to Australia buoyed by a convincing victory over the Barbarians in Hong Kong which has “laid down a marker” for the main part of the tour, coach Warren Gatland said on Saturday.

The Lions overcame extreme heat and humidity as they opened the 125th anniversary tour with a 59-8 win.

HONG KONG, June 1 (Reuters) – Mike Phillips and Alex Cuthbert scored two tries apiece as the British and Irish Lions kicked off their 125th anniversary tour with a comfortable 59-8 victory over the Barbarians in oppressive humidity in Hong Kong on Saturday.

Tries from skipper Paul O’Connell and Phillips helped the Lions to a 23-3 halftime lead and the floodgates opened after the break with Phillips adding a second, Cuthbert grabbing his brace and fellow Welshmen Jonathan Davies, Dan Lydiate and Alun Wyn-Jones also crossing.

HONG KONG (Reuters) – After six months’ planning and three weeks’ training, coach Warren Gatland finally begins his British and Irish Lions adventure in earnest on Saturday with what should be a gentle opening match against the Barbarians to open the 125th anniversary tour.

Ahead of three tests and six provincial games in Australia, the Lions are making their first appearance in Hong Kong, where the city’s intense heat and humidity will play a key factor.

HONG KONG, May 30 (Reuters) – After six months’ planning and three weeks’ training, coach Warren Gatland finally begins his British and Irish Lions adventure in earnest on Saturday with what should be a gentle opening match against the Barbarians to open the 125th anniversary tour.

Ahead of three tests and six provincial games in Australia, the Lions are making their first appearance in Hong Kong, where the city’s intense heat and humidity will play a key factor.

HONG KONG, May 30 (Reuters) – Ireland’s Paul O’Connell will captain the side in place of Sam Warburton but nine other Welshman were included in Warren Gatland’s first British and Irish Lions team for Saturday’s match against the Barbarians.

Lock O’Connell, who skippered the tourists in South Africa four years ago, will lead 17 new Lions out before the match at Hong Kong Stadium with Wales flanker Warburton rested after taking a knock in training.

HONG KONG (Reuters) – Ireland’s Paul O’Connell will captain the side in place of Sam Warburton but nine Welshman were included in Warren Gatland’s first British and Irish Lions team for Saturday’s match against the Barbarians.

Lock O’Connell, who skippered the tourists in South Africa four years ago, will lead 17 new Lions out before the match at Hong Kong Stadium with Wales flanker Warburton rested after taking a knee knock in training.

HONG KONG, May 30 (Reuters) – Ireland’s Paul O’Connell will captain the side in place of Sam Warburton but nine Welshman were included in Warren Gatland’s first British and Irish Lions team for Saturday’s match against the Barbarians.

Lock O’Connell, who skippered the tourists in South Africa four years ago, will lead 17 new Lions out before the match at Hong Kong Stadium with Wales flanker Warburton rested after taking a knee knock in training.

HONG KONG, May 29 (Reuters) – The match will probably not be a sellout, organisers conceded on Wednesday, but the arrival of the British and Irish Lions in Hong Kong for the first time has once again cast the spotlight on a region many see as vital for the future of rugby.

Over 30,000 Lions fans are expected to visit Australia for the three-test tour but not enough of the red-shirted horde decided to stop over in Hong Kong to fill the stadium for Saturday’s opening match against the Barbarians.

HONG KONG, May 8 (Reuters) – China Mengniu Dairy Co Ltd’s
deal to buy a $410 million stake in China’s largest
unpasteurised milk producer is a strategic move to rebuild trust
after a series of scandals left local brands’ reputations in
tatters.

Mengniu, twice hit by accusations it sold tainted milk, said
on Wednesday it would buy 26.92 percent of China Modern Dairy
Holdings Ltd from private equity firms KKR & Co LP and
CDH Investments. The deal will lift Mengniu’s stake in China
Modern to about 28 percent.