Lions name starting XV for first game in New Zealand

The countdown is on, Saturday is almost here.

The British and Irish Lions kick off their tour of New Zealand in Whangarei this weekend with a clash against the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians (kick off 8.35am Irish time). The Lions will play six games in 17 days before they ready for their first test with the All Blacks and, after landing in New Zealand on Wednesday, Warren Gatland has named his first starting 15 of the tour. The opening test match takes place on June 24 but, before that, the best of the best from these isles in the northern hemisphere will have a number of tricky encounters.

• New Zealand Provincial Barbarians (June 3)
• Blues (June 7)
• Crusaders (June 10)
• Highlanders (June 13)
• Maori All Blacks (June 17)
• Chiefs (June 20)

The team to play the Provincial Barbarians is very interesting though. Five Irish men make the squad of 23 with Rory Best, Iain Henderson, Johnny Sexton all starting. Payne and Furlong make the bench - here's the team. https://twitter.com/lionsofficial/status/869992296468463616