Sam Warburton to lead Lions in tour opener against Provincial Barbarians

British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland has announced his team's line-up for their opening game of the ongoing tour of New Zealand against Provincial Barbarians that kicks-off on 3rd June.

Former Wales captain Sam Warburton has been named the skipper and this will be his first competitive game following the knee injury that he sustained in April. Ireland's Jonny Sexton has been named at 10 while Owen Farrell is among the replacements.

Scotland trio of Greig Laidlaw, Tommy Seymour and Stuart Hogg all start for the Lions while the players from the Aviva Premiership and Pro 12 finals were not considered for selection.

Gatland had already indicated that he wanted to field as many as the entire 41-man squad in the first two tour games with Lions scheduled to take on Super Rugby side Blues next Wednesday.

"We have selected the majority of players who were together for the training weeks in Wales and Ireland," said head coach Warren Gatland.

"We have named a side that showcases a strong combination of experience and youth and we are really looking forward to Saturday," Gatland added.

"We are all hugely excited about the first game; 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."

Farrell's Saracens team-mates Jamie George, George Kruis and Mako Vunipola are also among the replacements along with Justin Tipuric, Rhys Webb and Tadgh Furlong.

British and Irish Lions line-up:

15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Ben Te’o, 11 Tommy Seymour, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Greig Laidlaw, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (c), 6 Ross Moriarty, 5 Iain Henderson, 4 Alun Wyn Jones, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Rory Best, 1 Joe Marler

Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Tadgh Furlong, 19 George Kruis, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Rhys Webb, 22 Owen Farrell, 23 Jared Payne