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Wales start their summer preparations against the Baa-Baas before their Nations Championship campaign
The Barbarians have promised to “challenge Wales” as they named their team for Saturday’s clash in London.
Former All Black coach Scott Robertson has named a star-studded Baa-Baas team to take on Steve Tandy’s Wales at the Allianz Stadium this weekend, with Wales legend George North named on the bench for his final outing ahead of retirement.
Another Welshman, hooker Elliot Dee, starts in the front-row – sandwiched between Giorgi Kharaishvili and double World Cup winner Vincent Koch.
Another two-time World Cup winner, Springbok scrum-half Faf de Klerk, captains the side – which features 19 internationals from 11 different countries.
“It’s great to have a player of Faf’s quality and experience leading the group this week,” said Robertson. “We have a group packed with talent, who have come together from all over the world.
“Faf is such a fierce competitor, he knows how to run a week, so he is driving the boys but he also fully embraces the Barbarian spirit and hits the right balance.”
The Baa-Baas have named a physically imposing pack, with Wallabies star Isack Rodda partnering Romain Taofifénua in the second-row.
In the back-row, the invitational club are just as strong – with Australia’s Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, former England international Nathan Hughes and Panasonic Wild Knight Lachlan Boshier starting.
New Zealand’s Harry Plummer partners de Klerk at half-back, with Munster’s Alex Nankivell partnering Stade Francais star Jeremy Ward in midfield.
France international Virimi Vakatawa moves to the wing, with another French international – Tom Spring – also in the back-three at full-back.
Wallabies wing Andrew Kellaway completes the starting line-up.
On the bench, Robertson has opted for a 6-2 split to put the pressure on Wales ahead of their clash with Fiji in Cardiff the following week.
Lions legend North, who announced his retirement from rugby earlier this year, will have to wait a little to draw the curtain down on his glittering career – having been named as a replacement.
“We are looking forward to another great occasion at Twickenham and the fact that it’s a double-header with the women is awesome,” added Robertson.
“We have picked a team to really challenge Wales. It’s a big team, with a bit of a Top 14 core, but we also want to move the ball, play what’s on and entertain what is hopefully a big crowd.
“It’s an awesome opportunity for this talented group to show what they are all about. They are all here because they have a super talent and we want them to express themselves.”
Barbarians: Tom Spring; Andrew Kellaway, Jeremy Ward, Alex Nankivell, Virimi Vakatawa; Harry Plummer, Faf de Klerk (c); Giorgi Kharaishvili, Elliot Dee, Vincent Koch, Izack Rodda, Romain Taofifénua, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Lachlan Boshier, Nathan Hughes.
Replacements: Harry Thacker, Jack Iscaro, Paul Alo-Emile, Yoan Tanga, Jordan Joseph, Santiago Arata, George North, Liam McConnell.
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