British and Irish Lions

New Zealand coach Graham Henry will take two extra players - one a hooker and a third scrum-half - on next month's European tour, bringing a squad of 32 to face England, Wales and France.

The former Wales boss said: "We have a sequence of four big Tests which will be a significant challenge and a good 'road test' for us ahead of the Rugby World Cup in France.

"We have a short turnaround between major tests against England and France. It is prudent to have additional cover at the specialist positions."

Unless Henry decides to rest key players for the tour, the likely beneficiaries of the extended squad are Southland half-back Jimmy Cowan and Taranaki front-rower Andrew Hore, both third choice in their position.

However, Henry could take Canterbury and New Zealand Maori captain and hooker Corey Flynn instead of Hore.

The All Blacks take on England on November 4 before two Tests in France and one in Cardiff.

Assistant coach Graham Rowntree says The British & Irish Lions will have to be fully focussed to avoid a potential banana skin when they face The Barbarians a week today.

Three former British & Irish Lions will line-up against an England XV at Twickenham Stadium on Sunday as the Barbarians warm-up for their showdown with the 2013 tourists in Hong Kong next week.