Marshall to lead Baa-baas

The Barbarians have named a star-studded squad ahead of their annual challenge match against Leicester Tigers.

Baa-baas coaches Craig Dowd and Brian Smith have selected a 23-man squad for the game at Welford Road on March 17 - a party that boosts 352 caps.

The famous invitational side will be captained by former New Zealand scrum-half Justin Marshall and features a number of internationals stars including former Australia wing Joe Roff, Manu Samoa skipper Semo Sititi and US Eagles pivot Mike Hercus.

Ireland hooker Shane Byrne will celebrate St Patrick's Day by making his Baa-baas debut and he will pack down alongside the likes of Wales prop Ben Evans.

"I'm delighted to be invited back to lead the Barbarians again," said Marshall.

"It was a fantastic honour for me when I led the club against the All Blacks at Twickenham last season and it's great to now be part of another of their traditional fixtures when they take on Leicester."

Tongan utility back Josh Taumalolo is among the players returning to the Baa-baas line up and he has happy memories of Welford Road - he bagged 33 points in the corresponding fixture in 1998 - a club record at that time.

Another player familiar to Tigers fans who may not receive such a warm welcome is Wasps winger Ayoola Erinle whose late try sent Tigers crashing to defeat in last week's Powergen Cup semi-final at the Millennium Stadium.

This will be the 87th match between the sides in a series that started in 1909 when they battled out a 9-9 draw. Tigers have won 37 times, the Baa-baas 44 and there have been five draws.

Barbarians squad: Inoke Afeaki (Llanelli Scarlets and Tonga), Ben Breeze (Newport Gwent Dragons), Nathan Budgett (Bristol and Wales), Shane Byrne (Saracens and Ireland), Garth Chamberlain (Wasps), Simon Danielli (Border Reivers and Scotland), Ayoola Erinle (Wasps), Ben Evans (Cardiff Blues and Wales), Lionel Faure (Sale), Paul Gustard (London Irish), Steve Hanley (Sale and England), Mike Hercus (Llanelli Scarlets and USA), Geraint Lewis (Bristol and Wales), Hottie Louw (Llanelli Scarlets and South Africa), Justin Marshall (Leeds and New Zealand), Matt Mustchin (Edinburgh Gunners), Brian O'Meara (Leinster and Ireland), Joe Roff (Kubota and Australia), Semo Sititi (Border Reivers and Manu Samoa), Marc Stcherbina (Cardiff Blues), Josh Taumalolo (Neath and Tonga), Rhys Thomas (Newport Gwent Dragons), Fraser Waters (Wasps and England), Rob Webber (Wasps).

Coaches: Craig Dowd (Wasps), Brian Smith (London Irish).