Wales v BaaBaas - teams and prediction
PREVIEW: Wales and the Barbarians have named their teams for the post-World Cup ‘international’ and there will not be a lack of star power in Cardiff on Saturday.
Scott Robertson and Eddie Jones have named a strong side to face Wales in what will be Alun Wyn Jones’ Cardiff swan song.
Jones will captain the invitational side, with former Wales teammate – and fellow former Wales captain – Justin Tipuric alongside him in the famous Black and White.
Robertson and Jones have been joined by Wales’ Jamie Roberts and Mark Jones in the coaching staff this week, with Will Greenwood joining the group for the match weekend.
AW Jones and Tipuric will be surrounded by international stars from the Southern Hemisphere – including players fresh from the World Cup.
The squad will face a young Wales side in what is sure to be a mouthwatering display of Barbarians’ flair, skill and passion: a fitting send-off for the world’s most capped player.
Wales coach Warren Gatland also named his team.
Leigh Halfpenny starts at fullback and will make his final appearance in a Wales jersey after a 15-year career that has seen him win 101 Wales caps.
Halfpenny announced last week that this would be his last international match.
Jac Morgan captains the side at open-side flank, Dan Lydiate at blind-side flanker and Aaron Wainwright at No. 8 join him in the Wales back row.
In the front row, Dewi Lake starts at hooker with Corey Domachowski at loosehead prop and Dragons’ Lloyd Fairbrother, who has joined up with the squad on Thursday, was named at tighthead prop.
Keiron Assiratti has been released from the squad following an ankle injury sustained in training this week. Leon Brown is unavailable due to a calf injury picked up on club duty.
Ben Carter and Adam Beard pair up in the Wales second row.
Tomos Williams is at scrumhalf with Sam Costelow at fly-half in a repeat of the halfback combination that took to the pitch for the final World Cup pool match against Georgia in Nantes.
Johnny Williams and George North are named in the centres.
Joining Leigh Halfpenny in the back three are Rio Dyer and Tom Rogers on the wings.
Among Wales’ replacements Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith and Harri O’Connor are the front row cover. Teddy Williams is the second row cover and Taine Plumtree is the back row cover.
The backline cover is provided by Kieran Hardy, Cai Evans and Mason Grady.
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158 caps for Wales 🏴
And now potentially 1️⃣ against them pic.twitter.com/tRKfsxbP3L— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) October 31, 2023
Gatland said: “Playing a Barbarians side filled with quality players is a good challenge for this group and a chance for players to put their hands up and show what they are about.
“It’ll be the last game in a Wales jersey for Leigh Halfpenny but also a chance for fans to see and celebrate Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric playing international rugby one last time.
“We’re looking forward to getting back out in front of a home crowd on Saturday.”
Prediction
@rugby365com: Barbarians by eight points
Teams
Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 George North, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Jac Morgan (captain), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Ben Carter, 3 Lloyd Fairbrother, 2 Dewi Lake, 1 Corey Domachowski.
Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Teddy Williams, 20 Taine Plumtree, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Cai Evans, 23 Mason Grady.
Barbarians: 15 Ilasia Droasese, 14 Shaun Stevenson, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Izaia Perese, 11 Selestino Ravutaumada, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Simione Kuruvoli, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Justin Tipuric, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (captain), 4 Rob Leota, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Tevita Ikanivere, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Angus Bell, 17 Asafo Aumua, 18 Peni Ravai, 19 Api Ratuniyarawa, 20 Tom Hooper, 21 Lautaro Bazan Velez, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Andrew Kellaway.
Date: Saturday, November 4
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 14.30 (14.30 GMT)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy), WRU appointment
TMO: WRU appointment
Day 3 in camp featuring a catch-up with our coaching group 👌 pic.twitter.com/LDJH07baIl
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) November 2, 2023
