Six Nations 
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Ex England centre Jonathan Joseph to team up with Zach Mercer again
Former England centre Jonathan Joseph has become the third player to commit to the Barbarians for their clash with Fiji in June at Twickenham.
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The 54-cap international, 32, will link up with former teammates Ben Youngs and Zach Mercer in the black and white hoops, who have also agreed to play.
Led by former Australia coach Robbie Deans, the BaaBaas will face Fiji in London shortly after South Africa and Wales go head-to-head at the same venue on June 22.
Joseph played alongside England’s most capped player Youngs for many years in Test rugby, and was also a teammate of Mercer’s at Bath.
After ten years and 175 appearances at the Rec, Joseph joined French second division outfit Biarritz last summer having earned his last England cap in 2020.
“The prospect of playing for the Barbarians for the first time is incredibly exciting,” he said.
“Especially getting towards the end of my career, as you never know that you are going to get that opportunity.
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“Growing up watching rugby and then playing professionally, you see what playing for the Barbarians means and what it is all about.
“I’ve been in and around the England squad when we’ve faced the BaaBaas previously, and come out on both sides of the result. Win or lose, I always thought it looked like so much fun, to be playing brilliant rugby and surrounded by world-class players.
“So, I’m hoping for more of the same this summer, now that playing for them has become a reality. It’s very exciting to be joining up with what will be a really impressive group of lads, and no doubt we’ll want to get out there and play in an entertaining manner.
“Combining the history of the Barbarians with what will be a very fun week for me on a personal level will make the whole experience very special. I’m looking forward to being involved in such a high-profile match, it’s why you play the game in the first place.
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Having not played for England for four years, Joseph realises that this fixture could be the last time he runs out at Twickenham, which he said will give an “extra meaning” to him.
“Of course, returning to Twickenham for possibly the final time gives the game some extra meaning for me.
“That will be a special moment, a great day for me and my family, and I’m really looking forward to joining up with some of the other boys who are going to be involved as well.
“We’ll have a good mix of guys from the northern and southern hemisphere, but we’ll all come into the camp hoping to play expansive and entertaining rugby – so there’s lots to look forward to.
“Fiji too are probably everyone around the world’s second-favourite team, and that’s all because of how they play and the athletes they have. They are always exciting to watch, and this game should be a great showcase of running, free-flowing rugby.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Why 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 …
31 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!😭😭😭 !!!
31 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
31 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 commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
31 Go to comments