Barbarians vanguard for Wales named

The Barbarians have announced a first batch of players who will be involved in their fixture against Wales on 4 June.

The Welsh Rugby Union have decided to award caps for the Millennium Stadium game, which is Wales' last before their August World Cup warm-up matches against England and Argentina.

Italy captain Sergio Parisse will be part of a Barbarians squad coached by Cardiff Blues chief David Young, while other names also released include South African backs Francois Steyn and Ruan Pienaar, former Australia flanker George Smith and Ireland prop John Hayes.

Young said: "We have the spine of a pretty impressive line-up already, and there will be plenty more names in the coming weeks which will whet the appetite for what should be a spectacular game of rugby.

"It will be interesting for me personally coaching against Wales, and against a side with probably many of my own regional squad players in it.

"I am particularly looking forward to fielding a back-row with Parisse and Smith playing together and, knowing who we plan to slot in alongside them, it's going to be a pretty exciting trio."