Barbarians Announce Star-Studded Squad for Fiji Clash at Twickenham
On June 19th, 2024, the Barbarians, the renowned invitational rugby union team, gathered for a training session at Mill Hill School in London, England, ahead of their highly anticipated clash against Fiji at Twickenham Stadium on June 22nd. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images for Barbarians)
The Barbarians have announced their 23-man squad for the Killik Cup fixture against Fiji, with experienced lock Sam Whitelock leading the side as captain. Head coach Robbie Deans has assembled a squad brimming with international experience, boasting a combined 968 Test caps.
Whitelock will partner with David Ribbans in the second row, while the front row sees Scott Sio, Kyle Sinckler, and hooker Harry Thacker. The flankers are Jack Cornelsen and Lachlan Boshier, with Zach Mercer at number eight. BBC rugby union fans will be excited to see new Saracens fly-half Fergus Burke start at 10, alongside England veteran Danny Care at scrum-half.
The midfield pairing of Gael Fickou and Virimi Vakatawa promises to be a dangerous combination, with Jonny May and Leicester Fainga’anuku on the wings and Chay Fihaki at fullback. The Barbarians’ bench includes the likes of Ben Youngs, Shota Horie, Jonathan Joseph, and Cameron Woki.
“This has been a fantastic group of players to coach,” said Deans. “We’ve picked a side which blends experience at the very highest level with players at the front end of their careers who are relishing the opportunity to play alongside some legends of the game and show what they can do in front of a huge crowd at Twickenham.”
The Barbarians’ approach to this match is true to their tradition, with a focus on “fun, enjoyment and connection within our group.” The players have trained well and formed lasting friendships this week, and they are now ready to showcase their rugby union gameplay against a formidable Fiji side.
With over 65,000 tickets already sold, the blockbuster match between the Barbarians and Fiji kicks off at 5:15 pm on Saturday, June 22nd, at Twickenham Stadium. Tickets are still available through Ticketmaster and the RFU, and the event also includes the Qatar Airways Cup showdown between South Africa and Wales, which starts at 2:00 pm.
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