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Barbarians turn to centurions

Tuesday 20th May 2008

Baa-baa calling: Larkham will tour with the Barbarians

The Barbarians squad for their three-match tour will include international centurions Stephen Larkham and Gareth Thomas.

Larkham, who has 102 Test caps for Australia, and Thomas, 103 Welsh caps, are among the thirty players touring with the Barbarians at present.

The tour begins in Brussels where the Barbarians will take on Belgium at the King Baudouin Stadium this Saturday. It will be the twenty-first country visited by the Barbarians and follows on from recent tours to Portugal, Georgia, Tunisia and Spain.

The squad returns to the UK to play Ireland at Gloucester on Tuesday 27 May and then the final game against England at Twickenham on Sunday 1 June.

Thomas and Larkham are both new Barbarians and club president Micky Steele-Bodger is delighted to welcome them on board.

"Given the crowded international calendar these days we sometimes have to wait a while before inviting influential test stars to represent the club," he said.

"It is a particular pleasure to have them with us this year and we are confident that they will enjoy the experience.

"Like England and Ireland, we have had to cut our selection cloth in line with the European commitments of other clubs this weekend. However, we are delighted that players from Bath and Worcester, for instance, will be joining us in time for the second and third fixtures.

"Indeed, we are most appreciative of the co-operation we have received from a host of clubs across the board in making players available this year."

The Barbarians have also invited back three of the pack who shared in the famous win over South Africa six months ago - Justin Harrison, Federico Pucciariello and Mark Regan.

Several other long-standing Barbarians return to the black and white shirt including Danny Grewcock, who first played for the club a dozen years ago, and Andy Gomarsall, who has already played 12 times for the Barbarians.

Tour squad:

Backs: Iain Balshaw (Gloucester & England), Peter Hewat (London Irish), Thinus Delport (Worcester Warriors & South Africa), Lesley Vainikolo (Gloucester & England), Gareth Thomas (Cardiff Blues & Wales), Morgan Turinui (Reds & Australia), Jaco Pretorius (Stormers & South Africa), Seilala Mapusua (London Irish & Samoa), Tyrone Smith (Brumbies), Stephen Larkham (Australia), Glen Jackson (Saracens), Andy Gomersall (Harlequins & England), Michael Claassens (Bath & South Africa), Ryan Powell (Worcester Warriors & Wales).

Forwards: Federico Pucciariello (Munster & Italy), Cobus Visagie (Saracens & South Africa), Ollie le Roux (Leinster & South Africa), Patrice Collazo (Gloucester & France), Darren Crompton (Bristol & England), Mark Regan (Bristol & England), Sebastien Bruno (Sale Sharks & France), Justin Harrison (Ulster & Australia), Kris Chesney (Saracens), Ross Skeate (Stormers), Danny Grewcock (Bath & England), Pedrie Wannenburg (Blue Bulls & South Africa), Maama Molitika (Cardiff Blues & Tonga), David Croft (Reds & Australia), Mitchell Chapman (Brumbies), Craig Newby (Highlanders & New Zealand).

Coach: David Young

Fixtures:

Saturday 24 May: Belgium at King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels (16.00 GMT)

Tuesday 27 May: Ireland at Kingsholm (18:45 GMT)

Sunday 1 June: England at Twickenham (14:00 GMT)