URC winner gets BaaBaas call-up
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Barbarians have named a completely new squad to play Spain this weekend, following last Sunday’s explosive win over England at Twickenham.
A squad led by coach Fabien Galthié took Eddie Jones’ team to the cleaners with a 52-21 victory which was the last match in the professional rugby career of the now-retired George Kruis.
With Galthié now set to fly to Japan with France for their upcoming Test series in the Far East, former Cardiff coach John Mulvihill now takes over the responsibility for coaching an invitational squad that is completely different from the Top 14-heavy selection that picked off England.
“Following a huge victory over England on Sunday at Twickenham, the Barbarians have announced a new squad to face Spain,” a BaaBaas statement said.
The squad assembled in Asturias ahead of the match on Saturday, June 25, at Estadio El Molinon in Gijon.
“Taking the reigns from Fabien Galthié, Australian John Mulvihill will resume his Barbarians coaching position having previously coached the famous Black and White against Australia in 2017.
“This week’s Barbarians squad features a highly international team, comprising eight nationalities with a blend of youth and experience from England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, New Zealand, South Africa, Samoa and Tonga.”
One of the headliners in the squad is the URC-champion Stormers team’s flying wing Seabelo Senatla.
He is joined by two other South Africans – Sharks prop Wiehahn Herbst and Benetton utility back Rhyno Smith.
The side will be led by 29-times capped Welsh centre Hadleigh Parkes, currently plying his trade in Japan.
Other notable stars alongside him include imposing Irish second row forward Devin Toner (70 caps), England’s back row forward Tom Wood (50 caps), Wales hooker Scott Baldwin (34 caps), All Black prop Charlie Faumuina (50 caps), Samoan flyhalf Tim Nanai-Williams and his fellow countryman and Barbarian stalwart Joe Tekori (37 caps), who has represented the club on six separate occasions.
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Sebastian Bezy 🇫🇷
Tim Nanai Williams 🇼🇸
Seabelo Senatla 🇿🇦
Hadleigh Parkes (C) 🏴
Rey Lee Lo 🇼🇸
Adam Byrne ☘️
Ryno Smith 🇿🇦
Mathis Galthié 🇫🇷
Ahsee Tuala 🇼🇸Coach: John Mulvihill
ADVERTISEMENT— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) June 21, 2022
Squad News 📰 v Spain 🇪🇸
Ed Byrne ☘️
Scott Baldwin 🏴
Charlie Faumuina 🇳🇿
Devin Toner ☘️
Steve Mafi 🇹🇴
Rob Harley 🏴
James Botham 🏴
Abraham Papali’i
Kirby Myhill 🏴
Wiehahn Herbst 🇿🇦
Scott Andrews 🏴
Joe Tekori 🇼🇸
Dan Baker 🏴
Tom Wood 🏴#Baabaas #rugby— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) June 21, 2022
“This will be the last game of professional rugby after stellar careers for both clubs and country for Wood, Toner and Tekori,” the BaaBaas statement read.
“The Barbarians squad will be aiming to give them similar send-offs to that which George Kruis experienced last Sunday at Twickenham.”
There are strong sporting family representations with cricketer Ian Botham’s grandson James Botham included alongside Fabien Galthié’s son Mathis.
The squad has 433 international caps between them with Nanai-Williams, Faumuina and Tekori all representing the club previously.
BARBARIANS squad
Forwards: Ed Byrne (Ireland, Leinster), Scott Baldwin (Wales, Ospreys), Charlie Faumuina (New Zealand, Toulouse), Devin Toner (Ireland, Leinster), Steve Mafi (Tonga, Oyonnax), Rob Harley (Scotland, Glasgow), James Botham (Wales, Cardiff), Abraham Papali’i (Cannaught), Kirby Myhill (Wales, Cardiff), Wiehahn Herbst (Sharks), Scott Andrews (Wales, Cardiff), Joe Tekori (Samoa, Toulouse), Dan Baker (Wales, Dragons), Tom Wood (England, Northampton Saints).
Backs: Sebastian Bezy (France, ASM Clermont), Tim Nanai-Williams (Samoa, Toulouse), Seabelo Senatla (Stormers), Hadleigh Parkes (Wales, Panasonic Wild Knights – captain), Rey Lee-Lo (Samoa, Cardiff), Adam Byrne (Ireland, Leinster), Rhyno Smith (Benneton), Mathis Galthié (Colomiers), Ahsee Tuala (Samoa, Northampton Saints).
Date: Saturday, June 25
Venue: Estadio El Molinon, Gijon
Kick-off: 21.00 (19.00 GMT)
Referee: TBC
