Licking their wounds from a first-up, 24-28, loss to Los Pumas in Dublin, the British and Irish Lions are finally on our shores. Touching down at Perth International Airport late Sunday, the entity founded in 1888 is once again in Australia after a 12-year absence.

First up, they tackle a Wallaby-laden Western Force at Optus Stadium on Saturday, as part of their 9-match tour. They play all the Australian Super Rugby Pacific provinces, plus an Aus/NZ combined match and an Indigenous/Pasifika match, culminating in three test matches against the Wallabies.

What separates Rugby Union from other codes is its deep historical tapestry, of which a British and Irish Lions tour is part of that fabric. Only gathering every four years, they alternate their tours between New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. Dating back to 1888, a squad made up of players from England, Scotland and Wales toured Australia and New Zealand, playing provincial games without any international test matches.

The last time they toured was to South Africa in 2021 during COVID. They played in empty stadiums and lost the series 1-2. This time, their fans are coming in great numbers, having been deprived of a tour for 8 years, since the drawn series against New Zealand in 2017. Twelve years ago, the British and Irish Lions won the series against Australia 2-1, a first since 1989, though they did lose to the Brumbies 12-14 en route to the test matches.

So strap yourself in for six weeks of intense rugby that has not been seen on our shores for a long time. May the best teams win.