89-cap All Black TJ Perenara among a clutch of stars set to play for Barbarians

Former All Black scrum-half TJ Perenara, Scotland’s powerhouse wing Duhan van der Merwe and ex-England prop Kyle Sinckler are the latest players to be added to the Barbarians squad for the matches against South Africa and Wales, on 20 and 27 June.

It is 13 years since Perenara, 34, last donned the famous black and white jersey in a 43-19 win against Fiji at Twickenham. He is currently playing in Japan with the BlackRams, having won the last of his 89 All Blacks caps in November 2024.

Sinclair has also represented world rugby’s most famous invitational team before, but it’s a first call-up for van der Merwe, who has also just been named in Scotland’s Nations Championship squad and will be using the Barbarians fixtures to get up to speed after a disappointing season.

“I can’t wait to join up with the Barbarians this summer. It is a massive honour and opportunity to represent them, it’s something I’ve always wanted to be part of so to get this opportunity is massive,” said South African-born van der Merwe, who is joined in the squad by his Scotland teammates, D’Arcy Rae and Liam McConnell.

“The Barbarians is a rugby institution and have some tough tests coming. To play for them against the World Champions will be a massive challenge and one I’m really looking forward too.

“It was frustrating the way our season ended with Edinburgh so to have the chance to get minutes in the legs ahead of the Scotland games in the Nations Championship will be really beneficial.”

The Barbarians have also named two exciting additions at half-back – Uruguayan scrum-half Santiago Arata, who plays in the Top 14 with Castres, and Argentine international fly-half Tomás Albornoz.

Meanwhile, Australian international Andrew Kellaway will bring versatility, counter-attacking threat and proven Test-match pedigree.

Further squad announcements will be made in due course.