Barbarians Release First Names for Lions Fixture

The Barbarians have announced the first crop of names ahead of their summer tour which culminates in a fixture against the British & Irish Lions in Hong Kong.

Stellar names from the world of rugby including Italy captain Sergio Parisse and fellow Italian Martin Castrogiovanni who is making his debut for the Barbarians will be present.

Other names making their debuts for the Barbarians on this tour include Samoan scrum half Kahn Fotuali’i and French back row Imanol Harinordoquy.  Also returning for the Barbarians for the tour is Springbok centre Jacque Fourie.

Talking to the Barbarians web site, team manager Derek Quinnell told them “”This year’s summer tour is a very important one for our club. It is a great honour to play the Lions as well as England and we are very conscious of the need to invite the strongest possible squad to do justice to two great fixtures.

“As the weeks go by and national squads are selected and domestic cup and league competitions reach their final stages, we are monitoring who will be available to us. We then decide on the best balance of our squad in all positions and will make further announcements in due course.”

The British & Irish Lions will face the Barbarians in the opening match of the Lions tour on the 1st June 2013 in Hong Kong.