Lions share of €8m tour won't cost unions

THE 2005 Lions tour of New Zealand is expected to cost €8 million, which will be raised in sponsorship and licensing opportunities.

Irish chief executive of the Lions John Feehan says the indications are that the tour will break even financially.

Feehan, who is also chief executive of the Six Nations, has spent two years planning the commercial and logistical aspects of the 2005 tour and he told the Irish Rugby Newsletter he hopes the tour may even make a profit.