Barbarians Squad Revealed

Looking pretty good, here's the squad to play Australia.

Sam Tomkins (England RL), Bryan Habana (South Africa), Isaia Toeava (New Zealand), Robbie Fruean (Crusaders), Stirling Mortlock (Australia), Richard Kahui (New Zealand), Seru Rabeni (Fiji), Danny Cipriani (England), Peter Stringer (Ireland), Nemia Kenatale (Fiji), Keven Mealamu (New Zealand), Adriaan Strauss (South Africa), Salvatore Perugini (Italy), Sylvain Marconnet (France), Eusebio Guinazu (Argentina), Victor Matfield (South Africa), Simon Shaw (England), Marco Bortolami (Italy), Jason White (Scotland), Jerome Kaino (New Zealand), Adam Thomson (New Zealand), Mauro Bergamasco (Italy).

Real shame there aren't more players from the home nations in there but otherwise a pretty decent selection.

I don't think English players are eligible for release for this game.

I think you're right. Remember Reagen got in to trouble with Bristol for ignoring the club and taking part in a game.

Tomkins is certainly a talking point.

Cracking player...but how will he cope under the different rules.

And i thought he had signed a 3 year gaging order that he wouldnt speak to union sides?

Henry and Hansen will have their last coaching assignment together. They started in Wales so in a way it´s fitting that they should end their partnership together in the UK. I wonder if Henry will be wooed by the RFU while he´s over there. Can´t see him taking up that offer. Surely he´s got the mortgage paid off now and summer is about to start in NZ. Ferguson looks like he´ll coach Man U until he dies but I´d be very surprised if any worthy coach would entertain the English job with the current structure in place.

Tompkins is on his off season, so as long as he doesn't pick up a nasty injury he should be fine.

All the Welsh players have had to be withdrawn either due to injury (Jamie Roberts), or the regions needing them (Stephen Jones). A shame for those players involved but that's still a good BaaBaa's squad I think.

rugbydreamer wrote:All the Welsh players have had to be withdrawn either due to the regions needing them (Stephen Jones)

I am confused.. ok not hard.. but hasnt Sam Tomkins brother signed to play Union? I thought that it was him when i first saw this team.

Shame about some of the Welsh players not being able to appear - but I suppose it's a blessing considering the schedule and the amount of games to be played

red_stag wrote:

rugbydreamer wrote:All the Welsh players have had to be withdrawn either due to the regions needing them (Stephen Jones)

how many Irish players are there in the squad? any reason why the answer is zero, Irish regions refusing to release them perhaps?

It is strange, but I imagine it will only benefit the Irish and Welsh regions not to have their players tired out anymore...

Turk - Peter Stringer is there. I haven't seen that the IRFU refused any player the Barbarians. I have seen that the Scarlets refused to release Jones.

didn't see Peter Stringer I admit, but then he isn't 1st choice at Munster anymore, in fact he's 3rd choice, so no great loss. Wellies is needed at the Scarlets as Priestland is with Wales so he would be a great loss, you getting angry because of that fact changes nothing

Im not looking to change it. I am just disappointed and its a death knell for the BaaBaas

Stag the BaaBaa's have been very understanding with regards to Stevo not being able to play. If it wasn't a crucial Welsh derby on the Friday, and if Rhys wasn't away with the Wales squad then he would have been released for sure.

You can argue either against the poor timing othe Wales game, or the BaaBaa's game at such a busy stage of the season.

Disappointing for Stevo, he's never played for them before I don't think, but he's said himself how important it is he's with the Scarlets right now. For further info please read this: http://www.scarlets.co.uk/eng/news/4375.php

Normally the Welsh regions release their player, but with international players called up for the following week, they cant afford to (Scarlets can afford to lose Jones and Preistland)

It is a shame that for the first time in ages there will be no Welsh players involved.

Disappointed to see no English based players...again.

Do seem to be a huge lack of english players. Would have liked to see Robshaw get a call up!
How many players in the squad have played for the barbarians before?
I know Roberts has.

I don't understand recurring comments about surprise or disappointment at no England based players featuring in the squad, the RFU-PRL agreement forbids it at this point in the season. Barbarian games at this time of year are primarily for SH players, the summer ones are where the NH players feature more.

Also, no true club player who takes their league seriously would desert their club if they are likely to make the match day squad(and apart from the one uncapped player, the big names are who the Barbarians are interested in), particularly when this weekend features some key match ups.

Whens the LV Cup? And could they not just play it when that's on?

Isn't England and Wales playing Oz when the LV Cup is on?

Mealamu, Shaw and White.

I hope that they've got iron lungs, buttery digestives and DVDs of the Antiques Roadshow ready for those old timers.

George Carlin wrote:Mealamu, Shaw and White.

I hope that they've got iron lungs, buttery digestives and DVDs of the Antiques Roadshow ready for those old timers.

Jason White may be on the wrong side of 30 but he is still making some thumping tackles for Clermont.

I am confused.. ok not hard.. but hasnt Sam Tomkins brother signed to play Union? I thought that it was him when i first saw this team..

Joel Tomkins has signed for Sarries but his brother Sam is the jewel in the British Rugby League crown. He has been eying up a move to Union for a while and Wigan have got him to sign a bumper deal but only the basis he won't talk to any Union clubs. They have given their consent for him to play in this game as it's the off season and probabley to try and appease him. Be interesting to see how he gets on, if he shines brightly Wigan may face lucrative offers from France.

I had assumed Stirling Mortlock had retired - clearly not.

IMO at his best a fabulous centre.