Barbarians

Steve Hansen selects Israel Folau for World XV

Folau, 34, was sacked by Rugby Australia in 2019 for a "high-level" breach of their code of conduct.

He has since switched international allegiance to Tonga and is in line to play at this year's Rugby World Cup.

BBC reports the World XV meet the Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday May 28.

Once one of the world's best full-backs, the dual-code international was embroiled in a lengthy dispute with his former employees after a series of anti-gay social media posts in 2018 and 2019.

Barbarians banned

The breach arose when players left their hotel rooms and had dinner in a restaurant without the permission of organisers.

Alex Lewington, Fergus McFadden, Juan Pablo Socino, Chris Robshaw, Richard Wigglesworth and Jackson Wray were given five-week suspensions for leaving the team's biosecure bubble twice and giving a false account of events during the RFU investigation.

Fiji thwart BaaBaas fightback to win Twickenham thriller

A largely inexperienced Fijian side produced some magical rugby with man of the match, Fijian Drua flanker John Dyer, scoring a brace of second-half tries to deny England head coach Eddie Jones - who took charge of the Barbarians for the game - a victorious homecoming.

"This is a big win for the boys after not such a good year," said Dyer, referring to Fiji's group stage exit at the World Cup.

The Fijians may largely have their careers in front of them but for two of the Barbarians side their days of glory are coming to an end.

11 debutants in Fiji squad to face Barbarians

Manawatu prop Samuela Tawake, Northland lock Temo Mayanavanua, Queensland Reds first five Teti Tela and Fijian Drua outside backs Jiuta Wainiqolo and Enele Malele have been selected in the starting fifteen, which includes eight members of the Fijian Drua team that reached the semi finals of the Australian National Rugby Championship.

Another Five Drua players are poised to make their international debut off the bench at Twickenham, along with Edinburgh flanker and former Fiji sevens star Mesulame Kunavula.

Best named Barbarians captain

Former Ireland skipper Best is calling time on a 15-year senior career after Saturday's match at Twickenham.

It has now been confirmed the 37-year-old will lead Eddie Jones' side, with the England coach having also included three of South Africa's Rugby World Cup winners.

Makazole Mapimpi and loosehead prop Tendai Mtawarira – also making the final appearance of his career – start, with Lukhanyo Am named on the bench.

In total, there are 10 South African players within the 23-man invitational squad.

England edge Barbarians

Coached by Jim Mallinder in front of watching boss Eddie Jones, Marcus Smith was among several home players who took their opportunity to impress in a clash that included 13 tries.

England broke the deadlock after 11 minutes as Johnny Williams teed up Josh Bassett to race through down the left.

But the ball sat up nicely for James Horwill to cross for a swift riposte and, although Smith dispatched a penalty, further pressure soon told and Francois Louw powered over, allowing Colin Slade to kick the Barbarians in front with the conversion.

England beaten by Baabaas

The hosts fielded a mixture of regular internationals and young players but the inexperienced line-up was no match for the power of the Barbarians, who ran in nine tries in an entertaining game full of running rugby.

Winger Chris Ashton, who has 39 caps for England, grabbed a hat-trick of tries for the Barbarians inside 25 minutes as they crossed the line five times in the first half.

Former All Black Victor Vito also scored two tries.

All Blacks rally to beat Barbarians

Led by former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, the Barbarians were 17-10 ahead at half-time on Saturday thanks to tries from Kiwi pair Richie Mo'unga and George Bridge, as well as Australian Sam Carter.

Steve Hansen's men, missing a host of rested and injured regulars, remained in sight thanks to TJ Perenara and Vaea Fifita's scores.

For all their good early work, the Barbarians were blown away in the space of six second-half minutes, as Ngani Laumape, Sam Cane and Nathan Harris all crossed to turn the match on its head. 

Barrett to skipper All Blacks against Barbarians

Barrett missed the defeat to Australia in the final Bledisloe Cup match last month as he was struggling with symptoms of concussion.

The playmaker will return at fly-half for the All Blacks' first match of the tour this weekend, so Lima Sopoaga drops to the bench.

Hooker Asafo Aumua, prop Tim Perry and outside back Matt Duffie are set to make their debuts from the bench.

Barbarian Julian Savea enjoying his rugby more than ever

The 27-year-old has only appeared once for the world champions in 2017, the 15-15 third Test draw at Eden Park.

Surpassed by the likes of Rieko Ioane, Matt Duffie and Waisake Naholo in the left-wing pecking order, Savea has spent the entire second half of the season confined to the Mitre 10 Cup with the Wellington Lions.

Playing a big part in the capitals championship winning performance, Savea said the break from international rugby has rejuvenated him.

"The whole team played well," he told reporters in London.