Baa-baas delay Thorn’s retirement

Editor

Leicester's veteran lock Brad Thorn's retirement has been delayed after he accepted an invitation to play for the Barbarians against Ireland and England.

Thorn, who was in action for the Tigers in their 47-10 Aviva Premiership semi-final loss to Bath at the Recreation Ground on Saturday, confirmed he would feature for the Baa-baas.

"I'm not gone yet, I'm hoping to get a couple of games for the Barbarians," he said.

The former dual international – who won the Rugby World Cup with the All Blacks in 2011 – is one of several high profile players who received late call-ups to the Barbarians squad which will be coached by ex Wallabies and Crusaders boss Robbie Deans.

Another player who announced his retirement this season, former Harlequins and England wing Ugo Monye, and Springbok scrum-half Ruan Pienaar are also late additions to the squad.

Barbarians squad:

Backs: Gio Aplon (Grenoble & South Africa), Stephen Brett (Lyon), Tomas Cubelli (Belgrano Ath & Argentina), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues & Wales), Yoshi Fujita (Panasonic Wild Knights & Japan),  James Gopperth (Leinster), Zane Kirchner (Leinster & South Africa), Ugo Monye (Harlequins & England), Wynand Olivier (Montpellier & South Africa), Ruan Pienaar (Ulster & South Africa), Tusi Pisi (Suntory Sungoliath & Samoa), Joe Rokocoko (Bayonne & New Zealand), David Smith (Toulon).
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Forwards: Matias Diaz (Pampas & Argentina),  Jason Eaton (La Rochelle & New Zealand), Deon Fourie (Lyon), Shane Jennings (Leinster & Ireland), Pablo Matera (Pampas & Argentina), Konstantin Mikautadze (Toulon & Georgia), Ryu Koliniasi Holani (Panasonic Wild Knights & Japan), Adam Jones (Cardiff Blues & Wales), Rodrigo Capo Ortega (Castres & Uruguay), George Smith (Lyon & Australia), Saimone Taumoepeau (Castres & New Zealand), Rodrigo Tejerizo (Tucuman & Argentina), Brad Thorn (Leicester Tigers & New Zealand), Gerhard Vosloo (Toulon) David Ward (Harlequins), Thomas Waldrom (Exeter Chiefs & England), George Whitelock (Panasonic Wild Knights & New Zealand).