Skipper pressed into action from start

– The British and Irish Lions have thrown captain Sam Warburton (right) straight into the fray as they look to make a winning start to their tour of New Zealand.

Warburton, who is returning from a knee injury that sidelined him in April, will lead a powerful line-up against a Provincial Barbarians XV in Whangarei tomorrow.

The 28-year-old Welsh flanker will start alongside three national captains – Wales’ Alun Wyn Jones, Ireland’s Rory Best and Scotland’s Greig Laidlaw.

Ireland flyhalf Johnny Sexton will also bring a wealth of experience as the Lions face a Barbarians team widely regarded as their weakest opponent on the 10-match tour.

Coach Warren Gatland said he was looking at his veterans to provide leadership in a team that

Wellington

combined youth and experience.

Gatland said he was “excited and bit apprehensive” about the much-anticipated tour kicking off in their first visit since 2005.

“It’s a great opportunity to lay down a marker in terms of hopefully getting the tour off to a good start,” said the New Zealander, who won 17 caps for the All Blacks.

The starting XV includes five players from England, four from Wales and three each from Ireland and Scotland.

Gatland said he was looking forward to seeing Sexton and Laidlaw combine in the backline and was pleased to have Warburton return for the opening match.

“The balance of the squad is really good, we have selected the majority of players who were together for the training weeks and they have worked together and prepared well for a number of weeks,” he said. –