CAPITAL GAINS

ALAN Quinlan claims that the Lions' historic first game on Irish soil is about making money.

- BY MICHAEL SCULLY

ALAN Quinlan claims that the Lions' historic first game on Irish soil is about making money.

And the former Munster great believes that current Ireland star Mack Hansen, who is named on the bench against Argentina, was 50-50 to make the cut for Andy Farrell's travelling squad.

There has been a lot of criticism of the price of tickets for tonight's 1888 Cup clash that pits the Lions against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium — a fixture that will not have full Test status.

However, the game will be a sell out at the 51,700 capacity ground in Dublin 4 as the Lions play their first game before flying to Australia for the tour proper on tomorrow morning.

"There's a lot of spend on putting a Lions tour together, paying players, coaches, match fees, hotels," Quinlan told Grosvenor Sport.

"I know there's loads of sponsors there, but it has to generate some money. I'm sure this fixture is about that. The Argentina game is great for the players but it doesn't get the blood flowing really, does it?"

Former Ireland flanker Quinlan missed out on the Lions tour of South Africa in 2009 after picking up a 12-week ban in the Heineken Cup semi-final loss to Leinster.