Barbarians reveal star-studded backline

Posted on Nov 1, 2010 in Rugby News

Several of the world’s best backs, including last weekend’s Bledisloe Cup hero James O’Connor, have been called up to the Barbarians side that will play South Africa in the MasterCard Trophy Match at Twickenham on Saturday, December 4.

Kiwi legends Joe Rokocoko and Ma’a Nonu, Aussie sensations Drew Mitchell and Will Genia, and French maestro Francois Trinh-Duc will join O’Connor, to take their places among a host of global stars that are set to light up the Twickenham turf when the world famous Baabaas take on the World Champion Springboks.

O’Connor, who will be joined by his Wallabies teammate Matt Giteau in the Baabaas backline, converted his own last minute, match-winning try in last weekend’s stunning 26-24 victory over the All Blacks, will make his debut for the club. He will be surrounded by experience however as All Black winger, Joe Rokocoko, makes his fourth appearance in the famous black and white jersey.

French fly half, Trinh-Duc also makes his debut for the club and his Gallic flair with ball in-hand will undoubtedly suit the famous ethos of Baabaas rugby.

But it’s not only the backline that boasts the planet’s best rugby players – the forwards include All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu, Ireland’s most-capped player John Hayes and Italy legend Salvatore Perugini. They will be joining Wales and British Lions Martin Williams and Kiwi giant Rodney So’oialo.

Hayes, who has won over 100 caps for Ireland will be making his debut for the club as will Kiwi Keven Mealamu, who given his predilection to keep the ball in hand will fit in well with the Baabaas style of running rugby.

Tickets are now on sale via Ticketmaster.co.uk / 0844 847 2492. Prices range from £35 to £65 for adults, £17.50 to £32.50 for juniors (under-16) and special family tickets (two adults, two juniors) are available.

Once again, MasterCard is offering one lucky rugby fan the chance to become a BaaBaa, joining the team at the 23rd squad member. The lucky winner will spend the pre-match week with the star-studded team as they prepare to take on the Boks, getting the inside track on what life is like as a Barbarian and enjoying the game from the subs bench at Twickenham. To enter go to: http://www.benumber23.co.uk/priceless/squad.

Ireland to play Baa-baas

Posted on Dec 9, 2009 in Rugby News

The Irish Rugby Football Union today confirmed that Ireland will play the Barbarians for The MasterCard Trophy at Thomond Park, Limerick on Friday 4th June 2010 – Kick off 7.45pm. This match will form part of Ireland’s 2010 Southern Hemisphere tour preparations and the Barbarians’ Summer Tour, with a fixture against England the week before.

This will be the first time that Ireland has played the Barbarians in Ireland since 2000. The most recent meeting between the two sides also coincided with the last Southern Hemisphere tour Ireland undertook in 2008 when Ireland played the Barbarians in Gloucester, winning the game 39-14.

Following the Baa-Baa’s game in Limerick, the Ireland squad will depart to New Zealand and Australia where they are currently scheduled to play two games on the tour against the All Blacks on June 12th and the Wallabies on June 26th.

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