Seven legends in Barbarian squad to face Bok Women

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Seven stars of women’s rugby are set to make their final international appearance for the Barbarians when they face the Springbok Women in Cape Town on Saturday in a curtain raiser for the Springbok Test against the All Blacks.

The full squad features representatives from eight unions and will be led by former Black Fern Linda Itunu and Spain’s Patricia Garcia Lopez.

Of the 23-strong traveling squad, seven of the world’s top players will be playing their final international game in the legendary black-and-white stripes.

Rachael Burford (England, photo)

England and Harlequins’ Burford began her playing career at Medway before going on to play for some of English rugby’s most legendary clubs, including Richmond F.C., Saracens, and Harlequins.

Her glittering career included over 80 England caps, a World Cup victory in 2014, multiple Six Nations titles, and a seven-season run at Harlequins, winning the Premier 15s title with Quins in 2021.

Off the pitch, she plays a significant role in representing players’ interests as Head of Women’s Rugby for the International Players’ Association and heading up the Women’s Department of the Players’ Association.

Kendra Cocksedge (New Zealand)

The most capped Black Fern of all time, Cocksedge announced her retirement after the World Cup 2021.

Making her debut in 2007, Cocksedge has achieved a huge number of accolades, including three Rugby World Cup titles, being named World Rugby’s international Women’s Player of the Year in 2015, and becoming the first female player to win the Kelvin Tremain Memorial Trophy for Player of the Year in 2019.

Cocksedge played for the Crusaders and became only the fourth woman to bring up 100 domestic matches.

Cerys Hale (Wales)

Wales prop Hale will bring the curtain down on an international and club career spanning more than a decade and winning 49 Welsh caps during that time.

Hale was called up to the Wales squad for the 2014 Six Nations and went on to play in three World Cups. She was also part of the Wales squad that played in the historic WXV1 tournament in New Zealand in 2023.

The pop began her rugby journey at Pontyclun RFC before going on to play for the Dragons and then PWR’s Gloucester-Hartpury, winning back-to-back titles.

She remains involved with rugby following her retirement as Dragons Women’s Pathway Manager.

Claire Molloy (Ireland)

Former Ireland captain Claire Molloy retired from international rugby after winning 74 gaps for her country.

The flank played at three World Cups, won two Six Nations including a Grand Slam in 2013, and represented Ireland in rugby sevens in the same year. Molloy also captained Ireland in the 2013 Rugby World Cup 7s and World Cup 2017 in 15s.

She concluded her club career playing for Bristol Bears for two seasons, having played for Cardiff Quins, Galwegians, Bristol Ladies, and Wasps.

Molloy also had an accomplished intern-county football career for Galway and is a qualified doctor.

Emily Scott (England)

Burford’s teammate at both Harlequins and England, Scott announced her retirement earlier this year.

The 38-capped flyhalf won two Premier 15s titles – one with Quins and one with Saracens.

She also played rugby sevens for Team GB at the Rio 2016 Olympics and won bronze for England in the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Lydia Thompson (England)

Stourbridge-born wing Thompson played for England and Worcester Warriors Women, also winning a bronze medal in Sevens at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

On her England debut in 2012, Thompson ran in three tries against Spain in the European Cup.

She went on to be part of the England squads for the 2014 and 2017 World Cups, as well as winning a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2017.

Thompson came through the age-groups at Stourbridge before joining Worcester in 2010. She won 47 caps for England and was inducted into the Women’s Team of the Decade in 2020.

Alycia Washington (USA)

Another Warriors Woman, USA second-row Alycia Washington also represented the USA Eagles, helping them to a fourth-place finish in the 2017 World Cup – their highest finish since 1991.

Washington, from Connecticut, won her first international cap against the Red Roses in 2015. A significant part of women’s rugby in the States for over a decade, Washington played in three Super Series against teams including France, New Zealand, and Canada and went on to earn 26 caps.

A multi-talented athlete, Washington ran track and field for four years, participated in gymnastics for seven years, and played two years of hockey.

As a passionate advocate of women’s rugby, Washington has formed the XV Foundation and also worked alongside World Rugby to raise the profile of the women’s game.

Barbarian squad to face South Africa:

Forwards:

Kathryn Buggy (Ireland)
Rochelle Clarke (England)
Ciara Cooney (Ireland)
Cerys Hale (Wales)
Laura Keates (England)
Joanna Kitlinski (USA)
Rownita Marston-Mulhearn (England)
Charmaine McMenamin (New Zealand)
Abi Meyrick (Wales)
Claire Molloy (Ireland)
Sera Naiqama (Australia)
Alycia Washington (USA)

Backs:

Rachael Burford (England)
Kendra Cocksedge (New Zealand)
Kathryn Dane (Ireland)
Cheta Emba (USA)
Carla Hohepa (New Zealand)
Sarah Law (Scotland)
Rachel Lund (England)
Celia Quansah (England)
Amber Reed (England)
Emily Scott (England)
Lydia Thompson (England)

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Linda Itunu (New Zealand)
Assistant Coach: Patricia Garcia Rodriguez (Spain)
Barbarian Women Director: Fiona Stockley (England)
Team Manager: Anita Velinova (Finland)

*The match between the Barbarians and Springbok Women kicks off at 13.30 (11:30 GMT).

Source @BarbarianFC