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Jonny May and David Ribbans have joined the growing contingent of former England players set to run out for the Barbarians in June at Twickenham.
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The Gloucester wing and the Toulon lock, who both represented England at the World Cup last year, have agreed to play for a Barbarians side coached by former Wallabies boss Robbie Deans when they take on Fiji at Twickenham on June 22 in the Killik Cup.
May and Ribbans will link up with former England teammates Ben Youngs and Danny Care in black and white, while Jonathan Joseph and Zach Mercer are also set to play.
The eleven-cap England lock’s participation is dependent on whether Toulon reach the Top 14 semi-finals or not this season.
May brought his 78-cap England career to a close after the World Cup, finishing as his country’s second-highest try scorer with 36 tries. While Ribbans has not formally retired from international rugby, his move to Toulon from Northampton Saints after the World Cup rendered him ineligible to represent Steve Borthwick’s side.
This will be the 34-year-old May’s first outing for the Barbarians in his career, something he describes as an “honour and a privilege”.
“The Barbarians are a team you grow up watching and hoping you might get the opportunity to play for one day,” he said.
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“I’ve been asked to play before but it’s never quite worked out with other commitments, so I’m delighted to get the opportunity now.
“This is a team that everyone is always interested to watch, and it’s an inspiring team to watch as a young player. It’s an honour and a privilege for me to be involved.
“For it to be at Twickenham as well makes it personally very special for me. You never know when the last time is going to be, and this may well be it. It’s always an amazing thing to do whenever you get out on that pitch, at the home of English rugby, and going back there with a different team is pretty awesome.
“I’ve played against the BaaBaas a few times now, and it’s always a challenging fixture for the international side. You’re coming up against a team with the pressure off them, who are looking to whizz the ball around, so I am really relishing being on the other side of that this time!
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“From what you hear, even though you’re effectively playing a Test match at the end of the week, the preparation is unlike any other team and I’m looking forward to seeing what that’s like. The Barbarians put a different perspective on things, strip it back and encourage the team to have some fun, express themselves, and play with freedom.
“It’s an exciting opportunity and I am planning to embrace the occasion, meeting new people and celebrating the game of rugby.”
Ribbans said that representing the Barbarians would be a “dream come true” for him, but insists his focus remains firmly fixed on Toulon still, who sit in sixth place in the Top 14 with four rounds remaining.
“It’s really exciting to be considered for selection for the Barbarians – one of the most historic and well-known rugby clubs in the world,” he said.
“Obviously I’m focused now on the Top 14 run-in with Toulon, and completely committed to the team. We’ve put ourselves in a great position to qualify for the knock-out stages of the competition this summer.
“But, if I am available to play for the BaaBaas, it will be a dream come true to wear that black and white jersey for the first time. I am really excited about what the next few months has in store.”
Comments on RugbyPass
No longer able to except the excuses offered up for Rob. The red jersey has lost it’s mana and become a joke. I do not wish Mr Penny any wrong but it is time to go. Do the right thing Rob and retire, PLEASE.
31 Go to commentsIt is a travesty that 8/12 teams play in the finals, and that 4 wins out of 14 might be enough to get you there, but every competition has this to some degree. If it was only the top 4 going through, then this season would have been over for 6 of the teams 4 weeks ago. Super Rugby is simply a feeder competition for the All Blacks and Wallabies. There are low stakes and no consequences because so few people care who wins Super Rugby. In football, winning the Champions League is the pinnacle for any player or fan. The fate of national teams in the world cup or Euros is a complete second fiddle to The Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, Bundelsliga etc… Same with the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB. Players and fans care deeply about their team winning NBA title, but don’t care at all about USA winning gold at the Olympics. Or more locally with Rugby League, the Hierarchy is probably NRL > State of Origin > International. For some maybe State of Origin is the top. Super Rugby is low consequence and low stakes because no one cares enough about the outcome. Players ultimately want to play for the ABs, not the Hurricanes or Blues. Casual fans aren’t talking about SR selections but everyone has an opinion on Sam Cane or Ian Foster. Super Rugby is a means to an end. The only context it has is how it effects who is selected for the ABs.
6 Go to commentsPlayoffs featuring 4 or 6 teams would mean the other teams playing meaningless games for longer and a further drop of interest in Australia. But yes a 12 team competition with 8 teams making finals is ridiculous.
6 Go to commentsJoe's picks will be more interesting than Razors. The dumping of Dave Rennie for Jones has to be one of the worst exec decisions of all time. Joe and Dave have similar styles and personalities, the players should like that. Predicting some success for Aus this year. Well more than last year!
2 Go to commentsHey Ben, Thanks for your opinion article. As a die hard rugby tragic and loyal supporter of the game can I say your article seems a touch negative so I would like to offer a slightly different spin on it. I am assuming that the sole purpose of the Super Rugby competition is not just to be a training camp for the International teams but an independent event and competition in its own right with sponsors, media companies and teams that need a financial return. Now, from this rugby fans perspective, I am enjoying the last few weeks of the competition and enjoying the fact that most teams can still make the play offs and nobody wants the wooden spoon. Most rugby followers would agree to it being a travesty if the Crusaders or the Waratahs now made it to the final but history tells us it is very unlikely with the importance of home ground advantage. Playing each team once and a four team final would give the competition integrity and a level playing field for all teams but I would be surprised if it could satisfy the financial demands of the TV rights. Maybe a six team finals series might be a possible compromise.
6 Go to commentsAll good choices John, even the Tah players ha ha. Others that might be worth a look would be ; Cale, Tom Lynagh, Uru, Keunzle, Anstee and maybe Rory Scott because we need a backup to McReight and he has improved a lot from last year and Tim Ryan.
2 Go to commentsWe only have 12 teams - and probably should only have 10. If we cut it down to 10, had a single round robin format, and only had semi-finals and a grand final, the final game would be on the first weekend of May. Meanwhile the AFL (similar to the NRL) runs until the last weekend of September and starts almost a full month after Super Rugby. At least the players would get plenty of rest!
6 Go to commentsAs article says re Japanese Final. Todd Blackadder up against his old mentor/ coach at Canterbury and the Crusaders , Robbie Deans. Both legends in this part of the world. Richie Mo’unga, ( another legend), playing brilliantly for Toddy’s team.Great to hear.
1 Go to commentsNo doubt Razor will want to kick the 2024 campaign off with a decisive selection of the top match fit players to insure his selection as the appointed coach has maximum impact. We the supporters and critics will settle for nothing less because historically it is what we have become ingrained and accustomed to. With that in mind and the distinct fall from grace of his beloved crusaders we will expect him to stamp his mark in the same way he left his old post.
9 Go to commentsI would've expected a better turn around in response to the changes within the team and its management. Lacking in my opinion is the skill sets that once was and now seemingly vacant within the squads regular front runners. Furthermore there seems to be no set game plan, the accuracy that once was is no more, the quality off the bench were poor matchups and frankly I feel a lot has to do with the coaching. Never thought i’d be critising the sadas to this degree.
5 Go to commentsAverage AB captain by recent standards. Speaks to the wider issue
9 Go to commentsWholesome lad, but no longer test level. At all
9 Go to commentsThis game was always going to be close, Canada have such a dominant pack and the Black Ferns have come unstuck in that area against teams like France and England in the past.
2 Go to commentsA distinct discomfort with the officiating they were probably selected from the local IRA narcos branch along with the commentators bloody fly tippers.
1 Go to commentsWow, never thought I would read that
2 Go to commentsExcellent match. Great to see Keenan and Ryan back for Leinster. Super result for Ulster. Season is turning around.
1 Go to comments“We need eight or nine new players, who are hard-wearing and durable and experienced Premiership performers”. So why are they scouting a retired fullback who himself admits that his “body is broken”?
1 Go to commentsBrumbies hand, knocked a Crusaders hand. Therefore, knock on in goal. Crusaders, goal line drop out should’ve been awarded. most likely after that 24 each at full time, so extra time would’ve been the right an entertaining outcome. Act Jim
1 Go to commentsSpeell cehck
1 Go to commentsColeman is gaawwwwnnn.
1 Go to comments