Specialist recruitment consultancy Robert Walters is sponsoring the British and Irish Lions' much anticipated upcoming tour of New Zealand.

It is the second time that the global company, which has offices in Birmingham, has supported the iconic rugby union team featuring selected players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

The first time being their victorious win against Australia in 2013.

Around 30,000 Lions fans are expected to travel to New Zealand for the 2017 tour, which will begin on June 3 when the Lions take on the Provincial Barbarians in Whangarei.

Robert Walters has offices in New Zealand, and is celebrating its role as an Official Sponsor by hosting a British and Irish Lions Preview Evening in Birmingham with former Lions heroes Richard Hill and Tom Shanklin and Welsh rugby legend Jonathan Davies.

Eleven Brindleyplace

The recruitment experts are invited people to join them for a Q&A session with the rugby stars at their offices in Brindleyplace on Wednesday April 26 from 6.30pm to 7.45pm.

Hill, Shanklin and Davies are set to provide key insights and predictions for the tour.

Robert Walters Chief Marketing Officer Stephen Edwards

Robert Walters Chief Marketing Officer Stephen Edwards said: “The British and Irish Lions are one of the world’s most iconic and historic sporting institutions and we are excited to be continuing our partnership for a second tour.

“We have a global network of offices spanning 25 countries including New Zealand and we are delighted to be able to help take the Lions there.

“The values we hold core as a business have direct parallels to those of the Lions and the selection challenges faced by the coaching staff resonate with our own challenge of helping our clients recruit and build the best teams possible. We look forward to what promises to be an exciting next 10 months.”

The Lions’ overall record against New Zealand shows six victories, three draws and 29 defeats.

The Lions’ last victory against New Zealand came on the 1993 tour in Wellington.

• For further information about the Robert Walters preview evening please contact Alan O’Doherty on alan.odoherty@robertwalters.com or 020 7509 8839