Davin O'Dwyerrounds up the best deals for rugby fans
Rugby
• The British Irish Lions finally have a chance to put behind them the spear-tackle saga that overshadowed the last tour, in 2005. What was expected to be the pinnacle of Brian O'Driscoll's career became a nightmare as the infamous "tackle" by All Blacks captain Tana Umaga and Keven Mealamu in the opening minutes of the first test ended his tour (pictured).
• O'Driscoll and many of his Irish team-mates will be back in Lions shirts next June, injury notwithstanding, as they return to South Africa for the first time since 1997 - the last time the Lions won a test series.
• The team play South Africa in three matches, in Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg, every Saturday from June 20th, as well as seven provincial games.
• Marathon Travel (www.marathon-travel.ie, 01-4755010) is offering four packages, from a week (€1,950 per person sharing, plus tax) to 20 days (€5,150pps, plus tax), including all flights, accommodation and match tickets. It has a free hospitality upgrade if you book before the end of December.
• Club Travel (www.clubtravel.ie, 01-6080030) has a Freedom package - €1,799 plus tax for the final two tests; €2,099 plus tax for all three - with flights and match tickets only, giving you more freedom during your stay. Its all-inclusive package for the three tests costs €4,499 plus tax, departing on June 17th and returning on July 7th.
• Munster Sports Travel and Killester Travel (www.munstersportstravel.com, 061-414717; www.theflyinggolfer.com, 01-8336935) have a three-test, 19-night Caracal tour, on June 17th, from €5,500pps.
• SportsTours.ie (01-4572311) has a three- test, 18-night package from €4,459pp, plus tax.
• Sportsbreaks.ie (061-204444) has a full package from €5,150.
• Cassidy Golf (www.cassidygolf.com, 0818-332535) has trips to South Africa in late June for €1,199pps.