SAM TO LEAD LIONS IN FIRST GAME
SAM Warburton will lead the Lions into battle against New Zealand Provincial Barbarians during Saturday’s tour opener in Whangarei.
The Wales flanker and winning 2013 Lions skipper hasn’t played since injuring a knee on April 7 but has been passed fit for what should be the easiest match of an otherwise daunting 10-game schedule.
He will be joined in the back-row by his Welsh team-mates Taulupe Faletau, who is at No.8, and Ross Moriarty.
Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones is the other Welshman involved, packing down with Ireland’s Iain Henderson at lock. There are two more Wales and Ospreys stars on the bench in the shape of flanker Justin Tipuric and scrum-half Rhys Webb.
Lions coach Warren Gatland has picked a potentially exciting backline with Stuart Hogg, Anthony Watson, Jonathan Joseph, Ben Te’o and Tommy Seymour being outside Greig Laidlaw and 2013 Test playmaker Johnny Sexton.
Rookie Test prop Kyle Sinckler is at tight-head prop with his England team-mate Joe Marler packing down the other side of Ireland skipper Rory Best.
The starting line-up includes six of the 2013 Lions who conquered Australia with a further three on the substitutes’ bench.
“We are all hugely excited about the first game on tour,” said Gatland.
“It’s a great opportunity for the starting XV and the whole match-day squad to lay down a marker and get the tour off to a good start.
“We have named a side that showcases a strong combination of experience and youth – we are really looking forward to Saturday.
“We are lucky to have some real leaders in the squad and to be able to select them for this match in the likes of Rory, Alun Wyn and Greig.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what Greig can do alongside Johnny. Both are experienced half-backs.
“It is also great to have Sam starting in the first game of the tour, something he didn’t do in 2013.
“The balance of the squad is really good. We have selected the majority of players who were together for the training weeks in Wales and Ireland.
“They have worked together and prepared well for a number of weeks. It is important these guys get a run early and lay down a marker for others to follow.
“We’ve picked the team for Saturday but it is still the plan to try and give the whole squad a start in the next two matches.”