Sam Tomkins switches code for Barbarians match vs Australia

Posted on Nov 21, 2011 in Barbarians

Stephen Jones pulls out due to regional call

SAM TOMKINS is the latest addition to the Barbarians’ squad for the Killik Cup match against Australia at Twickenham on Saturday 26 November.

The impressive Wigan full-back will complete a unique double by playing against the pride of Australian rugby from both codes on successive weekends. Last Saturday the 22-year-old featured for England against the Australian Kangaroos in the Four Nations’ Final at Elland Road, Leeds; seven days later he dons the famous black-and-white shirt of the Barbarians against Australia’s Wallabies in front of a 50,000-plus crowd at Twickenham.

Confirming the invitation, Barbarians’ commercial director Mike Burton said: “We are delighted that Sam, with the support of the coaches and management at Wigan, has accepted this opportunity to play in such a high-profile union match. The Barbarian club has a tradition of thinking outside the circle when inviting players with league backgrounds, and usually to everyone’s benefit.”

He added: “In recent years the likes of Mat Rogers, Lote Tuqiri, Wendell Sailor and, a few months ago,Willie Mason, have all made a mark when playing for us on the big stage. We are confident that Sam will be equal to the challenge this week.”

Ian Lenagan, chairman and owner of Wigan said: “The Wigan club and Sam are very pleased to accept the Barbarians’ invitation. Sam is an exceptional player in either code of rugby and his selection shows the growing mutual respect between the codes of rugby league and rugby union in England.  It’s a great opportunity for Sam to experience the Twickenham atmosphere and showcase his talents on another major stage.”

The Barbarians will be coached by Graham Henry and Steve Hansen who will select their starting line-up from a 22-man squad which promises to be one of the most experienced representative sides ever assembled. The players, drawn from 10 different countries, share an astonishing 1000-plus test caps between them.

The latest additions to the multi-national party include Italy’s Mauro Bergomasco (88 caps), Salvatore Perugini (83) and Marco Bortolami (88), France’s Sylvain Marconnet (84), Scotland’s Jason White (77) and Ireland’s Peter Stringer (98).

They join a squad that already had Springbok lock legend Victor Matfield, with 110 international matches under his belt, before making his final big-match appearance against the Wallabies. Two years ago Matfield captained the Barbarians to victory over the All Blacks.

Sonny Bill Williams has withdrawn because of a hamstring injury and is replaced by another of New Zealand’s Rugby World Cup squad, Richard Kahui, while further additions are Fiji’s Seru Rabeni and Nemia Kenatale.

Stephen Jones has been withdrawn from the squad as he is required by the Scarlets for their match against Newport Gwent Dragons on Friday evening.

Barbarians’ secretary Alan Evans explained: “We had very positive talks with the coaching staff at the Scarlets. They fully appreciated the honour it would have been for Stephen to play for us at this stage of his distinguished career but unfortunately their fixture commitments next weekend must take precedence.”

Mr Evans also confirmed that other Welsh players previously announced would not be available for the Barbarians as they will be in training camp ahead of Wales’ own match against Australia seven days later.

He said: “Obviously we are disappointed that they can’t play for us on this occasion but we also realise that the Welsh regions and the Welsh Rugby Union’s hierarchy have been incredibly supportive of us for similar matches in recent years. We look forward to inviting these players, and others, again in the near future.”

Barbarians squad:

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).

The captain will be announced when the squad assembles in London on 22 November.

Halfpenny and Thomas claim Wales starts

Posted on Feb 9, 2010 in Rugby News

Wales have made two changes from the starting line-up defeated by England at Twickenham in the RBS 6 Nations opener last weekend for the visit of Scotland to the Millennium Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 2.00pm).  In the second row Osprey Jonathan Thomas reforms his regional partnership with Alun-Wyn Jones at the expense of Dragons lock Luke Charteris. In the backs Leigh Halfpenny comes in for his Blues colleague Tom James on the wing.

Gethin Jenkins has recovered from his calf injury to be named on the bench and, in one of three changes there, he joins fellow Blues players Sam Warburton, who covers the back row, and centre or wing Tom Shanklin.

“Jonathan brings over 50 caps of experience to the tight five and offers us some extra mobility around the field,” said Wales coach Warren Gatland.

“Leigh is a recognised right wing who offers us an extra kicking option and his return to full fitness after limited training in the run up to the England game allows his selection.

“We think we have a very strong bench with the right mix of players each able to make an impact if called upon and are pleased to be able to name Gethin although he will undergo further fitness assessments later in the week.

“Tom Shanklin returns to provide another 65-caps worth of experience as cover for the backs and Sam Warburton comes in as back row cover with JT (Jonathan Thomas) now having been nominated as a starting second row.”

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Wales team v Argentina – Jonathan Davies starts – Lydiate on bench

Posted on Nov 17, 2009 in Rugby News

Wales coach Warren Gatland has handed Scarlets centre Jonathan Davies his first Millennium Stadium start for the visit of Argentina in the Invesco Perpetual Series clash on Saturday (Kick-off 2.30pm).

The facial injury suffered by Tom Shanklin in the victory over Samoa gives Davies his chance with Gatland otherwise reverting to the starting line-up chosen to face New Zealand in the Series opener a fortnight ago.

And in a positional switch Blues centre Jamie Roberts moves to outside centre to accommodate Davies at No 12.

In forward changes from the team who beat Samoa Scarlets hooker Matthew Rees replaces Osprey Huw Bennett and Blues flanker Martyn Williams returns for regional team-mate Sam Warburton, with Bennett providing cover from the bench.

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Biggar takes over at 10 as Wales announce five changes for Samoa

Posted on Nov 10, 2009 in Rugby News

Wales have made five changes to the starting line-up who faced New Zealand last Saturday for the visit of Samoa to the Millennium Stadium in the Invesco Perpetual 09 Series clash on Friday night (Kick-off 7.30pm).

Ospreys fly-half Dan Biggar wins his fourth cap when he starts at half back with Dwayne Peel (Sale Sharks), who will be playing in his 70th international for his country.

Biggar made his debut against Canada in 2008 when both he and Peel joined the game from the bench and he figured twice on Wales’ recent summer tour to North America, where he partnered the Blues’ Gareth Cooper in the win over Canada and again came on as a replacement alongside Peel against USA.

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Scarlets welcome return of Lions star, Stephen Jones

Posted on Oct 1, 2009 in Rugby News

Friday night’s game against Ulster will see the eagerly awaited return of Scarlets and British Lions no 10, Stephen Jones who is named in the starting line-up.

Head coach Nigel Davies has chosen to bring back the influential and experienced outside half a week before the Scarlets’ opening European cup game against Brive at Parc y Scarlets on October 10th.

Jones was rested as a precaution at last weekend’s high profile Welsh derby last weekend in Cardiff, to recover from a slight ankle injury.

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