The international banking corporation is expected to announce at the end of the month that it has replaced Zurich Insurance, which was the shirt sponsor for the 2005 tour to New Zealand. The deal is worth an estimated £4m.
Lions tours have become increasingly popular with high-profile sponsors. The team has had a kit deal with Adidas since 1997, when the shirt sponsor was Scottish Provident. In 2001, the Lions were sponsored by cable company NTL. The 2005 Lions tour attracted numerous companies, including series sponsor DHL, Guinness, Powerade, Lion Quality eggs, Apple, Maximuscle and Sure for Men.
The prestigious deal will help HSBC expand its presence in world rugby.
The bank is already a shirt sponsor of Australian Super 14 team the NSW Waratahs and has worked with former England and British Lions captain Martin Johnson.
In January, HSBC announced that it was to end its sponsorship of the World Match Play championships. The bank had originally agreed a 10-year deal to back the golf tournament in 2003.
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