Lions 2013: Paul O'Connell to captain side against Barbarians
Ireland lock Paul O'Connell will captain the British and Irish Lions in Saturday's tour opener against the Barbarians at Hong Kong Stadium.
Lions fixture list - Sat 1 June: Barbarians, Hong Kong
- Wed 5 June: Western Force, Perth
- Sat 8 June: Queensland Reds, Brisbane
- Tue 11 June: Combined New South Wales-Queensland Country, Newcastle
- Sat 15 June: New South Wales Waratahs, Sydney
- Tue 18 June: ACT Brumbies, Canberra
- Sat 22 June: First Test, Brisbane
- Tue 25 June: Melbourne Rebels, Melbourne
- Sat 29 June: Second Test, Melbourne
- Sat 6 July: Third Test, Sydney
O'Connell, Lions skipper in South Africa in 2009, takes over from flanker Sam Warburton, who has a knee injury.
The team contains nine Welshmen, including the back-row of Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric and Toby Faletau.
"I am really excited by the first selection of the tour," said Lions head coach Warren Gatland.
"Naturally, it comprises largely those players not involved in last weekend's Aviva Premiership and RaboDirect PRO12 finals, and we have a lot of players making their debuts for the Lions.
"At the same time we have a hard core of experience, with six former Lions sharing 430 caps between them and 19 Lions Tests.
"There are also some proven combinations, such as the Welsh centre pairing and back-row.
"Some of the boys who played last weekend are on the bench as cover, and generally everyone in the camp is raring to go."
More to follow.
O'Connell, Lions skipper in South Africa in 2009, takes over from flanker Sam Warburton, who has a knee injury.
The team contains nine Welshmen, including the back-row of Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric and Toby Faletau.
"I am really excited by the first selection of the tour," said Lions head coach Warren Gatland.
"Naturally, it comprises largely those players not involved in last weekend's Aviva Premiership and RaboDirect PRO12 finals, and we have a lot of players making their debuts for the Lions.
"At the same time we have a hard core of experience, with six former Lions sharing 430 caps between them and 19 Lions Tests.
"There are also some proven combinations, such as the Welsh centre pairing and back-row.
"Some of the boys who played last weekend are on the bench as cover, and generally everyone in the camp is raring to go."
More to follow.
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