Warren Gatland's son Bryn named in Provincial Barbarians squad to face Lions

Image: Bryn Gatland plays for North Harbour in New Zealand's domestic game

The opening clash of the British and Irish Lions' New Zealand tour will be a family affair for coach Warren Gatland after his son Bryn was named in the Provincial Barbarians squad to face the tourists.

The blockbuster tour kicks off on June 3 in Whangarei with a match against Provincial Barbarians, who have included promising fly-half Bryn Gatland in their squad.

The 21-year-old plays for North Harbour in the New Zealand domestic competition and is on the verge of making his Super Rugby debut for the Auckland Blues this year.

Provincial Barbarians coach Clayton McMillan said the 19-man squad, which will be supplemented by more players closer to the match, was a mixture of youth and experience.

"We have picked the base of a team that is capable of playing an entertaining brand of rugby which fits with the 'Baa-baas' tradition of innovation and flair and playing with pure guts and heart," he said.

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The Lions also play all five New Zealand Super Rugby teams, the Maori All Blacks and three Tests against New Zealand during the gruelling tour.

Gatland senior, a New Zealander, is hoping to guide them to their first Test series win in New Zealand since 1971.

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Will Greenwood says he expects Sam Warburton to be fully fit for the Lions tour

He coached the Lions to a 2-1 series win over Australia in 2013 but his Wales team were thrashed 3-0 when they toured New Zealand last year.

The former hooker actually played against the Lions himself when Waikato humiliated the tourists 38-10 in 1993, scoring a try.

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