NAMED: The British and Irish Lions team to face the NZ Provincial Barbarians

The Lions face the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians on Saturday at Toll Stadium in Whangarei.

Head Coach Warren Gatland has named a starting XV with six Lions from previous Tours in the selection – including skipper Sam Warburton.

Alun Wyn Jones, Rory Best, Jonathan Sexton, Taulupe Faletau and Stuart Hogg were all part of the touring group that claimed an historic series win over Australia four years ago.

“You are always excited about the first game on Tour but a bit apprehensive,” said Gatland.

“It’s a great opportunity for that starting 23 to lay down a marker in terms of getting the Tour hopefully off to a good start."

“The advantage of the team that was selected was obviously the players that were together the first week in Wales.

“It was an opportunity for some combinations that have worked together for a couple of weeks to prepare for that first game.

“There is some real experience there with Rory Best, Alun Wyn Jones, Johnny Sexton and then Sam Warburton obviously as captain.

“There is a big responsibility on the experienced players and also the younger players to go out there and perform and get us off to a winning start.”