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Parisse leads BaaBaas against Lions

Barbarians coach Dai Young named Italy No.8 Sergio Parisse as captain Wednesday to lead a strong Barbarians line-up against the British and Irish Lions in Hong Kong.

Young has looked to beef up the side who lost 12-40 to England last Sunday – with the inclusion of Parisse, fellow Italian stalwart and tighthead prop Martin Castrogiovanni, and All Black wing Joe Rokocoko in the starting team.

The 37-man Lions party contains 15 Welshmen, but prop Paul James is the only starter from the principality for the Barbarians and could face the prospect of packing down against his national front row teammate Adam Jones.

Parisse takes over the armband from former England skipper Mike Tindall, who was named among the replacements for Saturday's game at Hong Kong Stadium, the first match in Asia in the Lions' 125-year history.

The combined British and Irish team are opening their 10-match tour in Hong Kong before flying to Australia, where they will face the Wallabies in three Tests in Brisbane on June 22, Melbourne on June 29 and Sydney on July 6.

Barbarians: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Casey Laulala, 11 Takudzwa Ngwenya, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Dimitri Yachvili, 8 Sergio Parisse (captain), 7 Sam Jones, 6 Samu Manoa, 5 Dean Mumm, 4 Marco Wentzel, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Paul James.

Replacements: 16 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 17 Duncan Jones, 18 Andrea Lo Cicero, 19 Jim Hamilton, 20 Imanol Harinordoquy, 21 Kahn Fotuali'i, 22 James Hook, 23 Mike Tindall.

Date: Saturday, June 1

Venue: Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong

Kick-off: 19.30 (12.30 UK & Ireland time; 11.30 GMT)

Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)

Assistant referees: Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa), Angus Gardner (Australia)

TMO: Matt Goddard (Australia)

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