BaaBaas overflowing with Test stars
Star names from ten countries, including three Test cap centurions, feature in a 33-strong Barbarians squad for their three-match mid-year tour.
The tour opener against England on May 27 is followed by assignments against Ireland in Gloucester and Wales at the Millennium Stadium. The Barbarians defeated all three countries in their most recent fixtures against them.
Latest additions to the squad include New Zealand's most-capped fullback, Mils Muliaina, South Africa's World Cup-winning captain from 2007, John Smit, Argentine points-machine, Felipe Contepomi, and supercharged Leinster utility, back Isa Nacewa.
Smit is joined by four of his countrymen in BJ Botha, Anton van Zyl, Pedrie Wannenburg and Schalk Brits.
Among the Barbarian debutants behind the scrum are Samoan duo Sailosi Tagicakibau and Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu and a home nations trio of Mike Tindall, Stephen Jones and Rory Lawson. Shane Williams is set to take his final curtain on the international stage when the Barbarians face Wales on June 2.
In an experienced pack Duncan Jones, John Afoa, John Beattie, Juan Manuel Leguizamon and Mick O'Driscoll also become BaaBaas for the first time.
The squad, which will be coached by All Blacks' legend John Kirwan assisted by Grant Doorey, assembles in London on May 22.
Barbarians squad:
Forwards: Schalk Brits (South Africa), Benoit August (France), John Smit (South Africa), Aled de Malmanche (New Zealand), John Afoa (New Zealand), Duncan Jones (Wales), BJ Botha (South Africa), Neemia Tialata (New Zealand), Jerome Thion (France), Mick O'Driscoll (Ireland), Anton van Zyl (South Africa), Pelu Taele (Samoa), Raphael Lakafia (France), Antoine Burban (France), Akupusi Qera (Fiji), John Beattie (Scotland), Pedrie Wannenburg (South Africa), Juan Manuel Leguizamon (Argentina).
Backs: Isa Nacewa (Fiji), Mils Muliaina (New Zealand), Ian Balshaw (England), Cedric Heymans (France), Shane Williams (Wales), Paul Sackey (England), Sailosi Tagicakibau (Samoa), Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu (Samoa), Mike Tindall (England), Damien Traille (France), Felipe Contepomi (Argentina), Stephen Donald (New Zealand), Stephen Jones (Wales), Rory Lawson (Scotland), Jerome Fillol (France).
Fixtures:
Sunday, May 27
England v Barbarians (Twickenham, London)
Tuesday, May 29
Ireland v Barbarians (Kingsholm, Gloucester)
Saturday, June 2
Wales v Barbarians (Millennium Stadium, Cardiff)