Recollections - 1920s

The Barbarians of the twenties and thirties had a tremendous reputation for playing open and joyous football, like the Harlequins. The result was that over Easter both the Barbarians and the Harlequins
drew large crowds to Cardiff and Swansea.

The basic idea of the Baa-Baas always was that Rugby Football was a game to be played for enjoyment, and that the greatest enjoyment could be obtained by the playing of the game as it was meant to be played - for fun and pleasure - and that could best be achieved by throwing the ball about and by playing attacking and adventurous Rugby Football. But to do this, of course, does mean that the players must be skilled and knowledgeable about the game.

The Barbarians believed and considered that it was a great honour to belong to their club, as, indeed, it was, and that the qualification was not just to be a good player, but to be a well liked person as well. Moreover, if the Barbarians thought there was a player of pleasing personality, who was of high standard in his play, with the right attitude to the game, even though he was not an International, he would be invited to play for the Baa-Baas. I believe that the Barbarians by their attitude to the game and style of
play has helped to maintain at a high level the right approach to our amateur winter game of Rugby Union Football.