The British & Irish Lions will head to New Zealand in the summer of 2017 but on Wednesday morning the Maori spirit paid a visit to central London.

To celebrate the announcement of Robert Walters as an Official Sponsor for the 2017 Tour, Lions legends Jamie Roberts and Richard Hill joined a host of fans in experiencing a traditional Maori haka in Covent Garden.

It was hardly a normal sight for a Wednesday lunch time in St Martin’s Courtyard and understandably attracted onlookers from all around.

The Lions will see many a Maori ceremony on next year’s Tour but yesterday afternoon was all in the spirit of fun to celebrate the impending Tour.

And for Roberts – a two-time Lion who is hoping to be picked for a third time next year – it took some getting used to.

“It was a bit of a strange one – after they did the haka everyone was clapping! It wouldn’t be ideal to do that out on the rugby field, I don’t think that would go down too well,” he joked.

“But it’s been a great day, it’s great that Robert Walters have formed the partnership with the Lions.