England hand BaaBaas record defeat
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Christian Wade scored a hat-trick as England inflicted a record 73-12 defeat on the Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday.
It was a one-sided affair from virtually the start with wave after wave of white jerseys queuing up to cross their rivals line, and doing so with considerable ease to the dismay of Barbarians coach Robbie Deans.
The Barbarians previous biggest loss was 59-8 to the British and Irish Lions in Hong Kong in 2013. It was also England's biggest points tally against their rivals and Danny Cipriani set a new individual points record for an opposing player with 33 points including two tries.
It was 11 kicks out of 11 for Sale Sharks flyhalf Cipriani as England's fringe players took full advantage of the opportunity to press their World Cup claim by the August 31 deadline as they gave the Barbarians a heavy and painful beating.
Lancaster was certainly smiling for the first time at the end of a fairly disruptive and difficult few weeks which have seen the head coach needing to reassess his training squad plans due to player suspensions.
But the disappointment of having both Manu Tuilagi and Dylan Hartley ruled out of the World Cup due to on and off the field indiscipline, was countered by watching many aspiring youngsters and experienced players put up on a try-scoring feast.
The writing was on the wall for the visitors as they trailed 45-5 by half-time and clearly losing confidence and hope. They also had two men sent to the sin bin during the game in Thomas Waldrom and captain Brad Thorn.
England's new younger hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie fed left wing Marland Yarde out wide for the opening try and the Harlequins man strolled over unchallenged.
Former All Blacks hero Thorn produced a rare moment of Barbarians joy in the first half as he forced his way over from close range after Thomas Waldrom's break.
Cipriani kicked a penalty and Barbarians lost Waldrom to the sin bin for pulling back England scrumhalf Lee Dickson as he kicked on after they had turned over the ball at a ruck.
England made good use of their man advantage as they mauled their way over the Barbarians line with Leicester flank Ed Slater rising with ball in hand. Again Cipriani added the extras.
Harlequins flank Jack Clifford waltzed over for another converted try as the Barbarians defensive line broke apart. Suddenly, it was one way traffic at the end of the first half with Wasps wing Wade strolling over for a brace of tries as England's expansive game left the Barbarians clutching at thin air.
Cipriani, hoping to press his claims for the No.10 England jersey with a rare start at Twickenham, crossed the line next for try number six.There was no let up for the Barbarians who had beaten Ireland 22-21 a couple of days earlier, but were no match for England.
The pain and anguish for the visitors continued with centre Henry Slade getting the seventh try early in the second half. Waldrom dived over for a second try for the Barbarians which Tusi Pisi converted.
A sublime through the legs pass from replacement Shane Geraghty set flank Beaumont through for England's eighth try.
Veteran Thorn was shown a yellow card for a tip tackle on England replacement prop Alex Waller and missed the final ten minutes of the match.
Wade completed his hat-trick six minutes from time and Cipriani went over for his second to leave the Barbarians shell shocked.
Man of the match: There were obviously quite a few impressive performances from England, with Christian Wade picking up a hat-trick, and a number of forwards showing what they are capable of, but the award has to go to Danny Cipriani who delivered a flawless goal-kicking performance and controlled the match well.
The scorers:
For England:
Tries: Yarde, Slater, Clifford, Wade 3, Cipriani 2, Slade, Beaumont
Cons: Cipriani 10
Pen: Cipriani
For Barbarians:
Tries: Thorn, Waldrom
Con: Pisi
Yellow cards: Thomas Waldrom (Barbarians, 20 – Foul play, playing man off the ball), Brad Thorn (Barbarians, 70 – Foul play, dangerous tackle)
Teams:
England XV: 15 Mathew Tait, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Elliot Daly , 12 Henry Slade, 11 Marland Yarde, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Lee Dickson (captain), 8 Josh Beaumont, 7 Jack Clifford, 6 Mark Wilson, 5 Joe Launchbury, 4 Ed Slater, 3 Kieran Brookes, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Matt Mullan.
Replacements: 16 Tommy Taylor, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Gareth Denman, 19 James Gaskell, 20 Jon Fisher, 21 Will Chudley, 22 Shane Geraghty, 23 Alex Lewington.
Barbarians: 15 Gio Aplon, 14 David Smith, 13 Joe Rokocoko, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 George Smith, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Brad Thorn (captain), 4 Samu Manoa, 3 Matias Diaz, 2 Dave Ward, 1 Saimone Taumoepeau.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Rodrigo Tejerizo, 18 Adam Jones, 19 Nathan Hines, 20 Pablo Matera, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Stephen Brett, 23 Yoshikazu Fujita..
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Luke Pearce (England), Paul Dix (England)
TMO: Sean Davey (England)
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