Carys Phillips creates unique piece of Barbarians history with Allianz Stadium selection

Carys Phillips‘ selection for the Barbarians this weekend has seen her make a unique piece of history for the world famous invitational side.

The 87-cap hooker has followed her father, Rowland, in gaining selection for the side. They are the first father-daughter team to represent the Barbarians.

Phillips, 33, was previously coached by her father for Wales and captained the team during that time. Rowland Phillips is currently the head coach of Wales Deaf Men’s team.

Earlier this year, Phillips gained selection to Sean Lynn’s Wales squad for the Guinness Women’s Six Nations, but did not gain selection for any of the team’s five defeats in the tournament. Her last cap came in Wales’ Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 loss to Fiji.

In Premiership Women’s Rugby this season for Harlequins, Phillips has played in 15 matches for the West Londoners and scored four tries.

Phillips will play Saturday’s fixture against Wales in a starting pack that boasts 228 caps. This includes starting props Laura Delgado Dueñas and Christine Belisle, who will both retire at full-time.

Former England lock Poppy Leitch and Scotland’s Sarah Bonar combine in the second row, while Black Ferns prop Amy Rule starts in the back-row with Saturday’s skipper Emily Chancellor [Australia] and Bristol Bears’ Rownita Marston-Mulhearn.

In the backs, 2021 Rugby World Cup winner Ruby Tui starts on the wing in a back three that also contains Wallaroos full-back Lori Cramer and three-time PWR winner, and Gloucester Hartpury‘s all-time appearance maker, Rachel Lund, who will also retire.

International captains Alex Tessier [Canada] and Claudia Pena [Spain] combine in the centres. At half-back, retired Scotland scrum-half Caity Mattinson partners Exeter Chiefs fly-half Liv McGoverne.

It has also been confirmed that Celia Quansah is calling time on her storied career. The 30-year-old, who has represented Great Britain and England at rugby sevens, is a veteran of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Susie Appleby, Barbarians head coach, said: “Representing the Barbarians is a huge honour and one all of the girls are extremely deserving of. It’s been a brilliant week in the heat, and we have been blessed with a wonderful group of people who have bonded amazingly in a short amount of time.

“Everyone will make a massive contribution on Saturday, and no doubt it will be a great occasion against Wales. A huge congratulations to the girls who will be making their final appearance before retiring. They have given so much to the game and we hope they enjoy what should be an incredible occasion at Allianz Stadium.”

Barbarian matchday 23 v Wales

15 Lori Cramer
14 Ruby Tui
13 Claudia Pena
12 Alex Tessier
11 Rachel Lund
10 Liv McGoverne
9 Caity Mattinson
1 Laura Delgado Dueñas
2 Carys Phillips
3 Christine Belisle
4 Poppy Leitch
5 Sarah Bonar
6 Amy Rule
7 Emily Chancellor (C)
8 Rownita Marston-Mulhearn

Replacements
16 Emily Tuttosi
17 Bryony Cleall
18 Charli Jacoby
19 Amelia Buckland-Hurry
20 Ilaria Arrighetti
21 Jenny Maxwell
22 Lagi Tuima
23 Celia Quansah