Mike Tindall is confident the Barbarians can tame the British & Irish Lions in Hong Kong.
The famous invitational club clash with the Lions for the first time in their history in Hong Kong on June 1.
And the England World Cup winner reckons the Baa-Baas can inflict a tour opening defeat on the Lions.
“It’s a massive game in the unique environment that is Hong Kong and the first time the Baa-Baas have played the Lions,” said Tindall.
“We’ve managed to get a really strong squad together and feel we can take them.
“Not many players get to face the Lions and to do it as the Baa-Baas gives those guys a great opportunity.
The Baa-Baas announced their final batch of players for the encounter with Saracens’ Shalk Brits and Wasps’ Elliot Daly among the new additions.
Tindall, who will combine a playing and coaching role with the club, is relishing the historical match.
He was selected to tour with the Lions in 2005 but was robbed of the opportunity by injury. And admits it is frustrating as one of the only honours missing on his glittering rugby CV.
“It’s a huge frustration that I never managed to achieve that honour but this is the closest I can get,” said Tindall.
“I’m so excited to run out against them.
“They’re two of the biggest teams in the world, in terms of history and culture, and it’s an honour to play for them.
“A match like this is not something that happens all the time, it’s unique and you have to be invited.”
Players selected for the tour of Australia, could be forgiven for taking their eye off the ball. A host of Warren Gatland’s men will clash in the Aviva Premiership final between Leicester Tigers and Northampton, and the RaboDirect PRO12 final between Ulster and Leinster next weekend.
But Tindall insists the old cliché rings true and says players must remain focused on their next game and not what lies ahead.
“It’s hard because the Lions is in the back of your mind,” added the World Cup winner.
“But if you think about it too much and don’t play as you normally would that is when you pick up injuries. It’s such a cliché but it’s true.
“But with the experience they have selected, I’m sure those players won’t do that.
“They are playing for club honours and some of them for match fitness as well – their heads will be on.”
