Lions tours have always had unique challenges

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.

Tomorrow the British and Irish Lions break new ground by playing in Hong Kong for the first time and the diversion has drawn its critics for the added clutter it piles onto an already squeezed schedule as Warren Gatland’s squad seeks a first Test series success in 1997.

Then again, it could be worse.