Marks & Spencer, the UK's largest clothing retailer with over 21 million weekly customers, will join British Airways, HSBC and others as a sponsor of the British & Irish Lions rugby union team's tour of South Africa.

The retailer, which previously had an endorsement deal with England rugby coach and former Lions captain Martin Johnson, is the fifth sponsor secured by the tour, which will see the British and Irish side play three matches against the South Africa national team, the current rugby world champions, as well as seven games against provincial South African sides.

The British & Irish Lions are a selection of players from the English, Irish, Welsh and Scottish national sides.

Marks & Spencer has more than 75,000 employees.

The Lions also have deals in place with HSBC, the principal partner for the tour, British Airways, Guinness and First Cape, alongside a kit deal with Adidas.