Fresh from being named as British and Irish Lions captain for the second time, Wales flanker Sam Warburton will be speaking during a pre-tour evening at Bryn Meadows Golf Hotel and Spa next month.
Known colloquially as ‘the toughest tour’, the Lions travel to New Zealand this summer to face an All Blacks side who haven’t been beaten at home since 2009.
After months of anticipation, the Lions squad was announced yesterday, Wednesday April 19, at a press conference in London where it was also confirmed that Cardiff Blues and Wales flanker, Sam Warburton, would lead the team for a second tour.
Warburton oversaw the Lions’ 2-1 victory in Australia in 2013, and becomes only the second player in history to captain the side in successive tours.
Following the news, Bryn Meadows Golf Hotel and Spa, which is based in Maesycwmmer, announced an evening with Warburton and other – as yet unannounced – special guests for a Pre-Lions Dinner, in association with Heineken, on Friday May 5.
Guests can enjoy a chilled bottle of Pilsner or Old Mout on arrival, before broadcaster Sean Holley presents the evening. Warburton and another special guest will talk about the upcoming tour, past triumphs and audience members can expect an insightful look into the intricacies of the prestigious squad.
Places have predictably sold quickly, with 50% of tickets sold in the first four hours of being released.
Gavyn Bolton, General Manager at Bryn Meadows Golf Hotel and Spa, said: “It’s our absolute pleasure that the 2017 Lions captain, Sam Warburton, as well as other special guests will be visiting Bryn Meadows on May 5.
“We’ve hosted events in conjunction with Heineken before, which have all sold out very quickly, and it has given us the opportunity to bring the likes of Dan Biggar and Chris Coleman to the Caerphilly region.
“As a rugby fan myself, I’ll be very interested to hear how the team are getting prepared for the upcoming Lions tour as well as stories from their famous victories and personal triumphs.”
Tickets cost £60, and include a three-course meal. The event starts at 7pm, less than 24 hours before Warburton’s Cardiff Blues take on Newport Gwent Dragons in their rearranged Guinness Pro 12 match at Caerphilly RFC’s Constructaquote Stadium.
Visit goo.gl/vOV8R7 for more information and ticket availability.