Wayne Pivac will face Warren Gatland in first match as Wales head coach
Wayne Pivac will take the reins in his first match in charge of Wales against the Barbarians at Principality Stadium on November 30.
Wales’ national men’s and women’s sides will face the famous invitiational side in a double-header this autumn as they line-up against the famous invitational club in back-to-back matches .
Pivac will make his bow as national coach in the first Wales men’s side to take on the Baa-baas since 2012.
Pivac, who will take over the Welsh reins following this year’s Rugby World Cup, will oversee his side for the first time in Cardiff and will be up against his predecessor in his opening match with Warren Gatland named as head coach of the Barbarians for the fixture.
Gatland, who has been at the helm of Wales for the past 12 years will leave his role following the conclusion of this autumn’s RWC but will make an immediate return to the Welsh capital and the Principality Stadium for the clash.
For Wales Women it will be a first-ever outing against the Barbarians in what will be a showcase of Welsh rugby in Cardiff.
Commenting on his return to Principality Stadium as Barbarians head coach, Gatland said: “This is set to be a very special and hugely exciting double-header.
“It will be an honour to coach the Barbarians, they symbolize the very best of rugby tradition and are an important part of the international game and I’m hugely looking forward to being part of the Baa-baas club.
“It goes without saying that this match has huge significance to me. Wales has been my home for the last 12 years and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here.
“We have had some great success with Wales and we are currently in a hugely important year, culminating at the Rugby World Cup.
“To have the opportunity to return to Cardiff post RWC 2019 is fantastic and I’m really looking forward to coaching the Barbarians in what I believe is the best rugby stadium in the world and against the best fans in the world!”
The fixture will kick off Pivac’s reign as Wales coach and he added: “It is fantastic this double-header has been announced and the day will be a great showcase for Welsh rugby.
“The Barbarians are a special side and it will be a great way to start my Wales career facing the BaaBaas and of course, Warren!
“Wales have an important five months ahead of them with the Rugby World Cup on the horizon but post that tournament, I’m looking forward to kicking off my tenure with Wales, at home in Cardiff, in what will be a really special game.
“It is an opportunity for us as coaches to get the squad together ahead of the Six Nations and it will be a great day for all the fans with two great matches on show.”
Commenting on the fixture announcement, Barbarians chairman John Spencer added: “The Barbarians have a strong ties with rugby in Wales stretching back more than a century so we’re delighted to be returning to the Principality Stadium for two matches in November.
“Warren Gatland has been a marvellous Head Coach for Wales and the British and Irish Lions, and personally he was a delight to work alongside during the 2017 tour to New Zealand. We’re honoured that he has accepted the invitation to coach the Barbarians.
“Wales players have performed with great distinction for the Barbarians for many years. That is still the case and last month Jasmine Joyce scored four tries for the Barbarians women’s team as they beat the USA.
“The Barbarians women will take on their Wales counterparts on November 30 and we believe this historic double-header will showcase the finest qualities of the sport.”
The Barbarians launched a women’s side back in 2017 and have had a heavy Welsh flavour in each team that has taken to the field since but this will be the first time Wales Women face the famous side in black and white hoops.
Alisha Butchers, Jasmine Joyce and Elinor Snowsill played in the side’s thrilling 34-33 win over USA in April, Joyce scoring four tries and Joyce and Snowsill were again in the starting XV for the 40-14 loss to England last weekend.
Former Wales Women captain Rachel Taylor will take over as Barbarians forwards coach for this match from another Welsh great in Liza Burgess.
Wales Women head coach Rowland Phillips said, “Playing the Barbarians for the first time in a double header at Principality Stadium is a huge statement of intent for women’s rugby in Wales.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase our game and shows how women’s rugby is moving forward.
“We saw the quality of the Baa-baas’ side in their recent matches against USA and England and they will no doubt bring a formidable outfit to the home of Welsh rugby in November. They have a historical tradition of playing an open, entertaining brand of rugby which will produce an exciting match to watch and be part of.
“It has been a huge honour to have three current Wales players – Elinor Snowsill, Jazz Joyce and Alisha Butchers involved in the Barbarians’ first two international games. All three made an excellent contribution to the club. It’s also great to see two Welsh coaches involved – Liza Burgess in recent matches and now Rachel Taylor. Rachel played in the Barbarians’ first match in 2017 and is cutting her teeth in coaching as Colwyn Bay head coach.”
Broadcast details and KO times for both matches will be announced in due course. Ticket prices will range from £10 to £50 for adults with £10 tickets for U16’s also available.
Comments on RugbyPass
Completely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
54 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
54 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to comments