2017 British and Irish Lions Tour: Provincial Union XV 7-13 British and Irish Lions

Summary

Final score: Provincial Union XV 7-13 British and Irish Lions
Obviously wasn't perfect but it's the first building block - captain Warburton
Anderson-Heather try, Gatland con for hosts
Watson try, Farrell con, Sexton & Laidlaw pens for Lions
Next match v Blues in Auckland on Wednesday, 08:35 BST kick-off

Live Reporting

Mike Henson

Like father, like sonpublished at 07:45 British Summer Time 3 June 2017
Provincial Barbarians v British and Irish Lions (08:35 BST)
Image source, Rex Features
The pre-match focus has been on Bryn Gatland - son of Lions coach Warren - who starts at 10 for the Provincial Barbarians.
The 22-year-old Blues playmaker has been told by his old man to expect plenty of heavy traffic heading up his channel today.
"I spoke to Bryn last night and he's enjoying the week," said Warren on Friday.
"He'll expect to have to make a few tackles on the weekend."
Gatland senior was part of the Waikato side who beat the Lions on the 1993 tour.
"I have joked with him that we both would have played against the Lions and it's unfortunate that only one of us would have won. I desperately hope that that is the case!"
Image source, Rex Features
Image caption,
Warren Gatland scores for Waikato against the British and Irish Lions in 1993
'Savour it'published at 07:41 British Summer Time 3 June 2017
Provincial Barbarians v British and Irish Lions
Wales back Leigh Halfpenny isn't involved today but tweeted this message to his Lions team-mates.
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The oppositionpublished at 07:35 British Summer Time 3 June 2017
Provincial Barbarians v British and Irish Lions (08:35 BST)
Image source, Rex Features
Their tour opener is by far the easiest match of the 10-game tour on paper.
The Provincial Barbarians are an all-sorts side of Super Rugby fringe players.
Otago hooker Sam Anderson-Heather will lead the side that includes veteran centre Dwayne Sweeney, who played six seasons for twice Super Rugby champions Waikato Chiefs and also appeared for the Maori All Blacks.
"It's always going to be pretty hard when you are bringing a group together from four corners of New Zealand but from what I can see and the feedback we've got, the boys have come together really well," said coach Clayton McMillan.
The tour beginspublished at 07:28 British Summer Time 3 June 2017
Provincial Barbarians v British and Irish Lions (Sat, 08:35 BST)
The stash has been stashed.
Image source, Getty Images
The pints have been poured.
Image source, Getty Images
The hammies have been stretched off.
Image source, Getty Images
Now, finally, it is time for the Lions to put down their first paw prints on New Zealand soil.