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Another Premiership club secures a fixture versus the Barbarians
The Barbarians have added yet another match to their upcoming September/October UK and Ireland tour, agreeing to return to Franklin’s Gardens just 11 months after they last played there against Northampton.
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With the start of the 2023/24 season delayed due to the Rugby World Cup in France, clubs have been firming up their pre-season calendars and the Baa-Baas are proving to be a popular choice.
A men’s squad that will be coached by a four-strong Australian contingent already had matches organised against Bristol (September 7), Scarlets (September 16), Munster (September 30) and Harlequins (October 7), and they will now also take on Northampton.
A statement read: “Northampton Saints are delighted to confirm that Barbarian FC will return to cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens later this summer, with the sides set to lock horns on Saturday, September 2 (kick-off: 3pm).
“Saints ran out 45-39 winners on a memorable afternoon when the sides met for the first time ever back in November 2022 – with likes of Saints legends Tom Wood and Luther Burrell joining international stars Danny Cipriani, Owen Williams and Francois Hougaard in the famous Barbarians hooped jerseys.
“The Barbarians will be led by an Australian coaching quartet of Jason Gilmore, Laurie Fisher, Berrick Barnes, and Nathan Grey. Gilmore, the current NSW Waratahs assistant coach, has previously coached at Queensland Reds and the Australia U20s. Barnes, a former dual-code star and 51-cap Wallaby international, is a current member of NRL side Newcastle Knights’ coaching staff.
“The 35-cap Wallaby centre Nathan Grey is the former Australia and NSW Waratahs defence coach, while former Gloucester coach Fisher is the current assistant coach of the Brumbies.”
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Northampton CEO Mark Darbon said: “The visit of the Baa-Baas last year was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the season at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, and given the brilliant feedback we had from our supporters following that game, we are delighted to welcome them back again.
“We were able to showcase a fantastic day of top-class rugby, creating a new piece of history for Northampton Saints as we played the famous side for the first time.
“We also, as is the case this season, were able to ensure our supporters were not left out-of-pocket with fewer Gallagher Premiership fixtures on our calendar, and we remain committed to delivering unmissable entertainment at great value for all our season ticket holders and hospitality guests.
“Everyone at the club is thrilled about the prospect of welcoming Barbarian FC back to Northampton, and we would like to thank everyone involved for helping to make it happen. It should be an excellent way to kick our season off on home soil, combining the Baa-Baas’ world-famous flair with Saints’ exhilarating brand of rugby.”
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Baa-Baas assistant Gilmore added: “To coach the Barbarians on a UK tour is an exciting challenge and one I can’t wait for. The opportunity to bring the Barbarian style of play to a full house at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens will make for a great match.”
Fisher added: “I’m very excited to be returning to the UK. Time passes quickly and the quality of rugby in the northern hemisphere has continued to rise.
“To have the opportunity to be associated with the Barbarian name in rugby is a true honour and I look forward to seeing some old faces and meeting new ones as my rugby journey continues.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Tamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
1 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to comments