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Thomas Pink presents The Pink Lion, a pub for the sporting gentleman

Rugby fans across the UK and Ireland were invited to join a host of Lions legends at the Pink Lion Pub, courtesy of Thomas Pink.

The Official Outfitters for the British & Irish Lions welcomed the likes of Warren Gatland, Martin Bayfield, Phil Vickery and Matt Dawson at The Pink Lion last week, for several days of rugby-fuelled entertainment to help unveil the Thomas Pink British & Irish Lions Collection.

As Official Outfitter for the team’s 125th Year anniversary Tour to Australia, Thomas Pink has created an exclusive menswear Collection available to the public from October 2012. Signature items include the velvet smoking jacket, vintage print merino wool and silk scarf as well as stocking fillers such as gold plated cufflinks, socks, ties and boxers.

For one week only, Thomas Pink turned The Golden Lion in Mayfair, London, into The Pink Lion, to celebrate the launch of its British & Irish Lions collection. The venue was transformed into a mecca for stylish rugby fans featuring a stellar line-up of evening entertainment, open to all.

Guest Gatland serves pink pints

Kicking off the celebrations was new Lions head coach Warren Gatland who made a special guest appearance as pub landlord for the evening. He served pink pints behind the bar before unveiling the new Thomas Pink Lions Collection with Andy Irvine, Lewis Moody, Phil Vickery and Martin Bayfield.

Throughout the week, supporters were invited to take part in a unique ‘Question of Sport’ pub quiz night hosted by Matt Dawson and friends, or sit back and enjoy exclusive screenings of historic matches with commentary by rugby greats.

There was also an opportunity to meet former Lions including Ben Kay and Roger Uttley, as players from around the UK and Ireland gathered for an intimate ‘Pink Lion Lock-In’ to share rugby anecdotes and dressing-room tales.

Vickery dons his apron

Following his success on Celebrity Masterchef, former England Rugby Captain, Phil Vickery created a special menu to celebrate the collaboration. Fans were invited to tuck into signature dishes inspired by the UK and Ireland such as cockle and bacon tartlets, colcannon and sausages and mini Yorkshire puddings with rare beef, horseradish and watercress. Some fans were even lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the rugby legend donning his chequered apron from the kitchen.

The Lions Collection by Thomas Pink is available to purchase across all Thomas Pink stores, thomaspink.com, and select John Lewis stores. Proceeds of The Lions Collection will go towards Wooden Spoon, leading children’s charity of British and Irish rugby.

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