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Barbarians name team for Swansea, reveal wicked AWJ twist
Welsh legend Alun Wyn Jones is back in the Barbarians line-up to face Swansea on Wednesday, three days after he was twice foiled in his attempt to convert a try at Twickenham. The 37-year-old, who recently called time on his record-breaking Test rugby career, was skipper of the Baa-Baas selection coached by Eddie Jones in their thrilling 48-42 win over Steve Hansen’s World XV.
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That fixture in front of 33,000 in London ended with Jones trying – and failing – to land the conversion kicks for the final two Barbarians tries. However, while coach Jones flew home to Australia on Monday and most of the star-studded Baa-Baas XV dispersed elsewhere following their Killik Cup success, the second row Jones headed to Wales with the likes of props Oli Kebble and Enrique Pieretto to continue the end-of-season adventure.
Along with Sione Vailanu, who was a sub at Twickenham, they have now joined together with a new collection of Barbarians for the midweek match celebrating the 150th anniversary of Swansea RFC.
Ex-Cardiff boss John Mulvihill, who coached the Baa-Baas for their three-game English club tour after Scott Roberston’s XV had defeated an All Blacks XV at Tottenham in November, is back in charge for the game at St Helens and he has included the likes of Billy Twelvetrees and Dan Lydiate in a team that also features Bradley Davies in his final match before retirement.
Jones played for Swansea during the early part of his career and Mulvihill has revealed an intriguing plan has been hatched to enable the 170-cap legend to change sides at half-time.
“After 17 years (of Test rugby), he got his first Barbarians call-up and he has got his second one Wednesday,” quipped Mulvihill. “You will probably see him in an all-whites jersey in the second half. He might lead the Swansea team out at half-time.
“I was still taken aback that he wanted to play. He said: ‘It’s in my parish and I want to play against my team’. It means a lot to him. I don’t think it’s going to be his sign-off. He has got a few miles to go yet.”
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BARBARIANS (vs Swansea, Wednesday): 15. Damien Hoyland; 14. Tom Howe, 13. Rey Lee-Lo, 12. Billy Twelvetrees, 11. Alex Wootton; 10. Stephen Shingler, 9. Lewis Jones; 1. Oli Kebble, 2. Kirby Myhill, 3. Enrique Pieretto, 4. Bradley Davies, 5. Alun Wyn Jones, 6. Dan Lydiate, 7. Olly Robinson, 8. Sione Vailanu. Reps: 16. Elvis Taione, 17. D’Arcy Rae, 18. Murray McCallum, 19. Matthew Screech, 20. Sam Cross, 21. Harri Morgan, 22. Lloyd Williams, 23. Billy Searle, 24. Takahashi Taichi.
Comments on RugbyPass
I question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
2 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
2 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to commentsBilly's been playing consistently well for 2 - 3 seasons now and deserves a look in at the top level. Ioane and ALB are still first choice but there needs to be injury cover and succession. His partnership with Jordie gives him first dibs you'd think. Go the Hurricanes.
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