Fourie in Lions comeback

Japan-based Springbok Jaque Fourie will make a return to international rugby when he plays for the Barbarians against the British & Irish Lions.

The Lions, ahead of their 10-match tour to Australia, stop over in Hong Kong on June 1 to play the BaaBaas in a 'warm-up' fixture.

Fourie, who retired from Test rugby after the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, currently plays for Kobe Steel in the Japanese Top League competition.

The veteran Bok, who helped the Barbarians to beat New Zealand in 2009, was named at centre.

Fourie, a 2007 World Cup winner with 69 Tests to his credit, will relish another shot at the Lions - having featured in the Bok team that beat the B&I Lions 2-1 in the 2009 series in South Africa.

He was among the first five players to be unveiled by the BaaBaas management on Wednesday.

The other four named were Italian legends Sergio Parisse and Martin Castrogiovanni, Samoan ace Kahn Fotuali'i and talismanic French No.8 Imanol Harinordoquy.

Parisse, who led the Barbarians to victory over Wales and England two years ago, returns to BaaBaas colours while fellow Azzurri star, Castrogiovanni, is set to make his Barbarians' debut.

Fotuali'i and Harinordoquy are also BaaBaas debutants.

The Barbarians tackle England at Twickenham on May 26 and will then face the Lions on June 1.

Barbarians team manager Derek Quinnell said: "This year's tour is a very important one for our club.

"It is a great honour to play the Lions as well as England and we are very conscious of the need to invite the strongest possible squad to do justice to two great fixtures.

"As the weeks go by and national squads are selected and domestic cup and league competitions reach their final stages, we are monitoring who will be available to us. We then decide on the best balance of our squad in all positions and will make further announcements in due course."

The Barbarians will be coached by London Wasps' Director of Rugby David Young.