It is easy to imagine the sense of awe that must have gripped the 1888 Lions as they embarked on what was essentially a voyage into the unknown.

Ireland lock Paul O’Connell will captain the British and Irish Lions in Saturday’s tour opener against the Barbarians at Hong Kong Stadium.

British and Irish Lions rookie Stuart Hogg has revealed his burning desire to learn from veteran Ireland centre Brian O’Driscoll on the current tour of Hong Kong and Australia.

British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton could miss out on Saturday’s tour opener against the Barbarians at Hong Kong Stadium.

Chelsea 2 Aston Villa 0

Chelsea 4 Kitchee 0

Aston Villa 1 Blackburn Rovers 0

Australia 26 New Zealand 24

Scrum-half Will Genia believes Australia’s Tri-Nations campaign has laid the foundations for Robbie Deans’ men finally to beat New Zealand for the first time in over two years when they clash at Hong Kong Stadium tomorrow.

Fly-half Dan Carter returns to the New Zealand side for Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup clash with Australia but there is no place in Graham Henry’s 22-man squad for Sonny Bill Williams.

Manager Alex McLeish was pleased with the contributions of Nikola Zigic and Ben Foster as the two summer signings made their Birmingham debuts in a 3-2 friendly win over a Hong Kong XI.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish admitted he was anxious to complete his summer transfer business as soon as possible to avoid a deadline-day scramble to strengthen his squad.

Harry Redknapp has denied reports that Tottenham have submitted a bid for Newcastle defender Sebastien Bassong, although admitted the defender is a player he is interested in.

South China 2 Tottenham 0

A proposed Test match between world champions South Africa and Ireland in Hong Kong later this year has been postponed due to the economic climate.

AUSTRALIA and New Zealand yesterday squabbled over their line-ups for this weekend’s Bledisloe Cup match with the All Blacks claiming star player Dan Carter was being deliberately targeted.

NEW Zealand coach Graham Henry revealed the decision to play Dan Carter at inside centre for the historic Bledisloe Cup match with Australia on Saturday was one borne out of necessity.

Liverpool winger Ryan Babel is confident he is close to full fitness after inspiring Holland to a 2-0 victory over Cameroon in a pre-Olympic tournament in Hong Kong yesterday.

Manchester City will join Italian club Juventus to face Hong Kong treble winners South China in two exhibition matches in Hong Kong next month.

David Beckham netted twice from the spot but the Los Angeles Galaxy’s three-match Asian tour ended on a losing note with a penalty shoot-out defeat to a South China Invitational side at Hong Kong Stadium.

Australia and New Zealand will make history after accepting an invitation from the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union to stage a Bledisloe Cup match in the region on November 1.

Fulham 4 South China 1

PORTSMOUTH booked their place in the Barclays Asia Trophy final after Benjani Mwaruwari’s first-half goal saw Harry Redknapp’s side overcome Fulham 1-0 at Hong Kong Stadium.

Liverpool 3 South China 1

Portsmouth 1 Fulham 0

Liverpool, Portsmouth and Fulham will compete in the Barclays Asia Trophy in Hong Kong in July.

Hong Kong’s new leader Donald Tsang celebrated the eighth anniversary of the city’s handover to China today, saying the public had become more patriotic. Police dragged away a rowdy politician who interrupted Tsang’s speech with pro-democracy slogans.