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81st Mobbs Memorial Match Confirmed
[Published: Friday 01 February 2008]
The 2008 Mobbs Memorial Match takes place on Tuesday 18 March at Goldington Road, Bedford. The local National One club, Bedford, will provide the opposition for what will be the eighty-first staging of the Barbarians' longest-standing fixture.
The Mobbs Memorial Match was inaugurated on 10 February 1921 in honour of Lt Col Edgar Mobbs, a former captain of the East Midlands, Barbarians and England, who had fallen at Passchendale at the age of 35. He had also been a committee member of the Barbarian Football Club and the Rugby Football Union.
Ever since, the annual Mobbs Memorial Match has been staged at either Northampton or Bedford with the East Midlands Rugby Union providing the opposition.
This year the Bedford Blues will play the Barbarians and Blues' director of rugby Mike Rayer, himself a former Barbarian, is looking forward to the occasion. He said, "I am well aware of the proud history of this fixture and it is an honour for our club to take up the mantle of playing the Barbarians. We intend selecting a strong side to take them on, and there is a possibility that we will invite one or two players from Northampton and Leicester to play in the Blues' line-up."
The Barbarians are planning to invite the cream of England National One and Welsh Premiership clubs, plus players from Ireland and Scotland, in the squad of 22 that will assemble in Bedford on 17 March in preparation for the match the following evening, kick-off 7.30pm.
Baa-Baas Name Side For Remembrance Match
[Published: Thursday 08 November 2007]
Eight nationalities are represented in the Barbarians squad to play Combined Services at Plymouth Albion on Wednesday 14 November (kick-off 7.00pm).
England cap Paul Sampson, who played in the first Remembrance Match in 1997, returns to Barbarian colours along with Argentina's Gonzalo Quesada who made his Club debut earlier this year in the centenary match against the Army.
A third international in the team is hooker Diego Zarzosa who has played 40 times for Spain and was in the side that played against the Barbarians on their summer tour last June. He becomes the second Spaniard to play for the Baa-Baas after Oriel Ripol was selected four years ago.
New Zealanders Nigel Hall and Joe Duffey, both from the Nottingham club, join forces with two South Africans, the Cornish Pirates' number 8 Matt Evans and flanker Jannie Bornman of Plymouth Albion, in the pack, and England Sevens' captain Tony Roques completes a powerful back row.
Dorian Williams and Ollie Hodge, who toured Tunisia and Spain with the Barbarians in the summer, make early returns to the Club's colours.
Steve Martin follows in the footsteps of his father Allan by playing at lock, three decades after the former Wales and Lions' lineout specialist helped the Baa-Baas defeat the Wallabies.
In the back division Cardiff captain Tristan Davies and former Wales under-21 cap Liam Roberts, now with Bedford Blues, team up in the centre while pace on the wings is provided by England tourist Matt Moore and Frenchman Nic Sestaret. Wales under-19 World Cup scrum-half Gareth Williams partners Quesada at half-back.
The Barbarians will be coached by Plymouth Albion's director of rugby, Graham Dawe, who played 13 times for the Barbarians, including tours to Japan, France and Ireland, and in the corresponding fixture in 2002.
He said, “It's a real honour for me to be invited to coach the Barbarians for the Remembrance Match. It was always a special moment whenever I played for the Club and I know the players wearing the black-and-white hoops will have similar feelings. We have a good side that, as always, will set out to play an exciting brand of rugby.”
Team: Paul Sampson (London Welsh & England); Matt Moore (Esher), Liam Roberts (Bedford Blues), Tristan Davies (Cardiff), Nic Sestaret (Plymouth Albion); Gonzalo Quesada (Argentina), Gareth Williams (Neath); Dorian Williams (London Welsh), Diego Zarzosa (Madrid & Spain), Nigel Hall (Nottingham), Steve Martin (Neath), Ollie Hodge (Coventry), Jannie Bornman (Plymouth Albion), Matt Evans (Cornish Pirates), Tony Roques (Launceston)
Replacements: Joe Duffey (Nottingham), Dan Parkes (Exeter Chiefs), Andy Kennedy (Banbridge), Dave Allen (Blackheath), Rhodri McAtee (Cornish Pirates), Bradley Davies (Plymouth Albion), Andy Birkett (Launceston)
The Barbarians have won seven of the previous nine meetings since the Remembrance Match was inaugurated in 1997.
1997 (Portsmouth) W 40-33 1998 (Portsmouth) W 51-20
1999 (Gloucester) W 45-26 2000 (Gloucester) – cancelled
2001 (Portsmouth) W 50-14 2002 (Devonport) L 26-27
2003 (Aldershot) W 26-8 2004 (Aldershot) L 36-38
2005 (Newbury) W 45-6 2006 (Newbury) W 33-25
Charitable Trust Makes Another Donation
[Published: Monday 12 November 2007]
The Barbarians Rugby Charitable Trust is set to make another donation to aid the development of the game overseas.
In the last three years the Trust, which was set up in 2004 to help the development of the game in every part of the world and give assistance to injured players, has presented donations to the townships of South Africa and to Slovenia, Chile, Brazil, Romania, Spain, Germany, Tunisia, Georgia and Portugal and also contributed to the charities of the Home Unions and the British Lions.
The latest beneficiary will be the deprived areas of the Eastern Cape. On the occasion of the Gartmore Challenge Match between the Barbarians and world champions South Africa at Twickenham on 1 December, the Trust will donate a cheque for ZAR80,000 with the specific aim of further developing rugby union in the Eastern Cape.
Godfrey Afrika, SEC Project Manager for South African Rugby, said, “The Barbarians' commitment to the development of rugby is refreshing. They understand that the game was established by people who just wanted to enjoy coming together to play sport. That is what I have always perceived to be the reason for the existence of the Barbarians, the custodians of the 'original game'.”
He added, “What we are trying to achieve is to build the type of bridges the Barbarians' vision has done in bringing players together from all continents to enjoy and celebrate this fantastic game of rugby.”
Charitable Trust administrator Gordon Brown, who is also honorary treasurer of the Barbarians, said, “The Club has been constituted as a not-for-profit company, and it is our practice to donate to the Charitable Trust any surpluses we make from matches and from sponsorship. This latest initiative with the Eastern Cape will mean that our total donations have passed the £100,000 mark.”
The trustees are Micky Steele-Bodger, Geoffrey Windsor-Lewis, John Spencer and Gerald Davies.
As well as making donations of money and equipment, the Trust aims to enable the Barbarian Football Club to continue to undertake regular missionary tours to developing rugby nations. Two countries who attracted many admirers in the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Portugal and Georgia, have benefited from recent Barbarian tours and coaching clinics, while Tunisia and Spain were visited earlier this year.
Before the high-profile fixture with the Springboks next month, the Barbarians will this week play the tenth annual Remembrance Match against the Combined Services, with the proceeds going to the Royal British Legion.
Services Snatch Late Victory
[Published: Thursday 15 November 2007]
Two sensational tries in as many minutes by Nicolas Sestaret midway through the second half cancelled out an equally impressive brace by Josh Drauninui early in the game but were not quite enough to deny the Services their third victory in ten starts against the Barbarians.
As injury time somehow stretched into a seventh minute the hosts burst out of their own half and Isoa Damudamu crossed for the match-winning score. It was tough luck on the Baa-Baas after a lively comeback from a 12-point deficit in the first quarter but, despite the baffling amount of added time in the second half, they warmly congratulated their opponents on their famous victory.
With Paul Sampson suffering from a stomach upset, Andy Birkett started at full-back and Wihan Neethling was added to the replacements bench. Rob McCusker had also joined the squad when Steve Martin withdrew on Monday.
The Services started well, their defence holding out early Barbarians attacks and then allowing the try-hungry Drauninui to leave his mark. Turnover ball from a loose kick on half-way let him in for the first try in the 12th minute. Four minutes later he flew over in the left corner and suddenly the Services were 12-0 ahead.
The Barbarians struck back immediately and a classy break and perfect pass by Liam Roberts put Matt Moore clear for a fine try. There followed a sporting war of attrition before, in the 39th minute, a lineout catch-and-drive ended with a memorable try for Spanish hooker, Diego Zarzosa.
The second half started with a succession of attempted penalty goals by the Services' fly-half, Rob Sweeney. As experienced Barbarian traditionalists rubbed their eyes in disbelief there was at least the satisfaction of seeing two of them rebound back off uprights. But the Welshman was successful with a third after the comfortable Baa-Baas' front row were penalised at a scrum in front of their own posts.
When prop Melvyn Lewis then scrambled over from a close-range lineout the Services had again established daylight between the teams at 20-10. Then came some typical Barbarian magic from Sestaret. Firstly, replacement Rhodri McAtee left several defenders in his wake as he somehow found space along the right touchline and the Frenchman was on hand for the run-in. From the restart another local favourite, Bradley Davies, put in an inch-perfect kick to the far wing where Sestaret made a sensational catch and raced away for his second try. With Davies adding the extras to both, the lead had changed hands dramatically.
But as injury time dragged on the Baa-Baas wasted a gilt-edged scoring chance on the Services line and the almost inevitable break-out ended with the familiar figure of Damudamu becoming the Services hero.
Barbarians: A P Birkett (Launceston); M T Moore (Esher), L Roberts (Bedford Blues), T Davies (Cardiff), N Sestaret (Plymouth Albion); G Quesada (Hindu, Buenos Aires), G M Williams (Neath); D S Williams (London Welsh), D Zarzosa (Cetransa El Salvador), N R Hall (Nottingham), R J McCusker (Llanelli), O B T Hodge (Coventry), J de B Bornman (Plymouth Albion) captain, M M Evans (Cornish Pirates), A W S Roques (Launceston)
Replacements: J Duffey (Nottingham) for Zarzosa (46m), D M Parkes (Exeter Chiefs) for Hall (40-55), for D S Williams (55) , A J Kennedy (Banbridge) for Hodge (40), D R W Allen (Blackheath) for Roques (58), R I McAtee (Cornish Pirates) for Moore (55), B M Davies (Plymouth Albion) for Quesada (58), W L Neethling (Plymouth Albion) for Birkett (58)
Tries: Sestaret (2), Moore, Zarzosa; Cons: B M Davies (2)
Combined Services: R Lloyd; J Drauninui, A Satala, G Barden, M Magnus; R Sweeney, D Pascoe (capt); C Budgen, G Kemble, M Lewis, M Cormack, B Hughes, A Tibbats, L Jope, A Dennis
Replacements: R Scothern, G Leonard, D Ball, I Damudamu, G Evans, M Rhodes, P Nacamavuto
Tries: Drauninui (2), Lewis, Damudamu; Cons: Pascoe, Lloyd; Pen: Sweeney
Referee: D Williams (Army)
Attendance: 3,500
Regan To Lead Barbarians Against Springboks
[Published: Monday 26 November 2007]
England's Mark Regan will lead the Barbarians in the Gartmore Challenge match against South Africa at Twickenham on 1 December.
The Bristol hooker will be making his third appearance for the Club at the stadium, having previously played twice against England in 2005 and 2006.
Also in the 22-man squad announced today are former Barbarians Matt Giteau, Justin Marshall, Brent Cockbain, Troy Flavell, Jerry Collins and Martyn Williams. In all, seven nationalities are represented, including four players from both England and Wales.
The match provides the anticipated capacity crowd with the opportunity to give World Cup hero Jason Robinson an appropriate send-off in his final first-class appearance.
The team will be coached by Ireland's national coach, Eddie O'Sullivan and hold training sessions at two London clubs, Blackheath and Richmond, both closely linked to the Barbarian Football Club since its formation in 1890.
He said, “I was honoured to be invited to prepare the team for such an historic and high-profile fixture. The assembled squad has an exciting mix of home grown and overseas talent and we hope to give the world champions a real game in the best traditions of Barbarian rugby on Saturday.”
The match will be the Club's twenty-fourth fixture against a major touring team from the southern hemisphere and its sixth against South Africa. The Barbarians defeated the Springboks at Cardiff Arms Park in 1961 and at Lansdowne Road, Dublin in 1994.
At Twickenham on Saturday the Barbarian Rugby Charitable Trust, which was set up in 2004 to help the development of the game in every part of the world and give assistance to injured players, will donate a cheque for ZAR80,000 to the South African Rugby Union with the specific aim of developing rugby union in the Eastern Cape.
The Rugby Football Union has confirmed that only 3,000 tickets are still available for the match and have emphasised that these should be ordered in advance (from Ticketmaster or 0870 9020000) as no tickets will be on sale on Saturday.
Barbarian Squad:
Backs
Jason Robinson (England & British Isles)
Joe Rokocoko (Blues & New Zealand)
Isoa Neivua (Warriors & Fiji)
Ben Cohen (England & British Isles)
Conrad Smith (Hurricanes & New Zealand)
Tom Shanklin (Cardiff Blues, Wales & British Isles)
Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes & New Zealand)
Matt Giteau (Western Force & Australia)
Peter Grant (Stormers & South Africa)
Justin Marshall (Ospreys & New Zealand)
Forwards
Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks, England & British Isles)
Federico Pucciarello (Munster & Italy)
Salesi Ma'afu (Brumbies)
Mark Regan (Bristol Rugby, England & British Isles)
Schalk Brits (Stormers)
Brent Cockbain (Wales & British Isles)
Justin Harrison (Ulster Rugby & Australia)
Michael Owen (Newport Gwent Dragons, Wales & British Isles)
Troy Flavell (Blues & New Zealand)
Jerry Collins (Hurricanes & New Zealand)
Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues, Wales & British Isles)
Rocky Elsom (Waratahs & Australia)
Barbarian Team
[Published: Wednesday 28 November 2007]
Barbarian Team v South Africa
Jason Robinson
Joe Rokocoko, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Isoa Neivua
Matt Giteau, Justin Marshall
Federico Pucciarello, Mark Regan (captain), Salesi Ma'afu
Brent Cockbain, Justin Harrison
Rocky Elsom, Jerry Collins, Martyn Williams
Replacements:
Schalk Brits, J D Moller, Troy Flavell, Michael Owen, Tom Shanklin, Peter Grant, Ben Cohen
Great Win Over Springboks
[Published: Sunday 02 December 2007]
The Barbarians outscored the world champions with a thrilling three-try performance in the Gartmore Challenge to win the hearts and minds of a 58,000 crowd. An early try by Matt Giteau and touchdowns either side of half-time by Martyn Williams and Rocky Elsom were the icing on the cake but the true story of the afternoon - and, indeed, the week building up to it - was how a squad of 22 stars, guided by heroic captain Mark Regan and coach Eddie O'Sullivan, brought back memories of the greatest days of the Club.
President Micky Steele- Bodger summed up everyone's feeling when he told the team and management at a private post-match celebration, "You were courageous, ambitious and, in every sense, magnificent, and you have made me a very proud man. You all have brought further honours to the Club."
The afternoon had been one of many emotions, with superstar Jason Robinson leading out the teams for his final game of competitive rugby and Mark Regan following him with his two children as mascots. Their team-mates made the clearest statement possible about what Barbarian rugby was all about, pouncing on loose balls all over the pitch to punish the Springboks with their pace and adventure. The capacity crowd took them to their hearts and the Baa-Baas responded with a breathtaking display in the first half in particular.
The pinpoint passing and running into gaps rather than bodies was a long overdue return to the old values of the game. Not that this was some airy-fairy exhibition match. As if to prove the point Giteau, who had been showing sublime skills from the outset, elected to go for goal with the first penalty awarded. He succeeded from 40-metre range but was soon back orchestrating the mazy midfield runners alongside him. Ma'a Nonu was setting alarm bells ringing in the opposition's defence and it was no surprise when he also manufactured a magnificemt pick-up on the run as the side yet again burst out of its own 22. Conrad Smith carried on the move before Rokocoko provided the scoring pass for the juggling Giteau.
The one-paced Springboks were suffering badly in comparison with the Barbarians but they eventually scored what were to be their only points of the afternoon when Barend Pieterse scrambled over from one of their trademark mauls. But on the stroke of half-time, Regan's heroes made a telling statement. Instead of kicking a loose ball dead and heading for an interval cuppa, Robinson danced his way back through heavy traffic to set up a ruck, from which the remarkable Martyn Williams chipped over the flat defence, Federico Pucciarello regathered, and Williams took his instinctive pass to gallop 20 metres for the second try. Giteau's conversion stretched the lead at the break to 15-5.
Immediately after it, the Baa-Baas registered another seven-pointer. Again wayward kicking by the Springboks was run staight back - literally very straight - by Isoa Neivua and from the recycling to midfield Rocky Elsom cut though on a thrilling 40-metre charge for a touchdown half way out on the left. Giteau's tricky conversion completed the scoring with 35 minutes left to play.
Now came the other side of Barbarians' rugby: heroic defence. The way that bodies were put on the line as the Springboks laid siege in the Barbarians' 22 was heart-warming, even when the torrential rain came down. Jason Robinson departed in the 68th minute and received the standing ovation he deserved. At the end, the Barbarians were attacking again after another opposition mistake and Martn Williams was rightly selected as the Gartmore man of the match.
But on such a day and with such a team, every one of the 22 players deserved medals for what they had achieved for themselves, the Club and rugby football.
Team : Jason Robinson (Peter Grant); Joe Rokocoko, Conrad Smith (Tom Shanklin), Ma'a Nonu, Isoa Neivua (Ben Cohen); Matt Giteau, Justin Marshall; Federico Pucciarello, Mark Regan, captain (Schalk Brits, Salesi Ma'afu (J D Moller); Brent Cockbain (Troy Flavell), Justin Harrison (Michael Owenl), Rocky Elsom, Jerry Collins, Martyn Williams
O'Sullivan to coach Baa-Baas against Springboks
[Published: Thursday 20 September 2007]
The committee of the Club is pleased to announce that the highly regarded head coach of Ireland, Eddie O'Sullivan, will be in charge of preparing the Barbarians' team for the match. He is expected to have a full complement of top-class players from around the world in his squad.
The Springboks' world-class wing Bryan Habana said, "We do not often get the chance to play the Barbarians and to do so at such a world famous venue will be awesome."
The Baa-Baas' two victories over the Springboks rank among the greatest days in the Club's history. Their 6-0 triumph in 1961 deprived their opponents of an invincible record in their final fixture of a 29-match tour of the United Kingdom. The Barbarians repeated the feat in 1994 with a 23-15 win at Lansdowne Road, Dublin.
This year's match will be the eighth time the Barbarians have played a major touring team at Twickenham, the most recent being the 2004 fixture against New Zealand.
Gartmore Continues Support
[Published: Thursday 06 December 2007]
Gartmore, one of the UK's leading investment management specialists, is continuing its association with the Barbarians. At the end of a hectic week that saw the Club's epic triumph over world champions South Africa (and was preceded by a convivial midweek lunch for the players and management hosted by his company), Gartmore's president and CEO Jeff Meyer said,
"We are delighted with our sponsorship of the Barbarians and proud to be continuing to support the Club. Our key values are closely aligned with both brands synonymous with trust and loyalty. In addition, both organisations have a focus on delivering top performance and aiming to have teams that represent the very best in their respective fields. As an added bonus, the Barbarians are renowned for playing extremely exciting rugby, as they clearly showed once again at Twickenham last Saturday! We wish the Baa-Baas luck for the rest of this season."
Gartmore's involvement with the Barbarians dates back to 2004 and the Gartmore Challenge between the Barbarians and South Africa was the latest in a series of high-profile fixtures played at a major stadium and with live television coverage.
Big Olympic Match at Wembley
[Published: Monday 21 April 2008]
The British Olympic Association has confirmed plans to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Olympic Games first being held in London with the restaging of the 1908 Olympic rugby final between Great Britain and Australia - and the Barbarians have been invited to provide the opposition to the Wallabies.
The historic match will be staged at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday 3 December 2008 (kick-off 7.45pm) with a crowd of 90,000 expected to witness the first rugby union match at the venue.
The event will be the climax of a series of the BOA's 1908 centenary celebrations and at half-time will feature an Olympic parade of athletes from the Beijing Olympic Games.
Premier Rugby is also backing the match and have announced that they will be releasing a number of high-profile Premiership players to represent the Barbarians.
Micky Steele-Bodger, president of the Barbarians, said, "The Barbarians have a long-standing history with Australia ever since we first played the Wallabies in 1948, the same year as London last hosted the Olympics. We are delighted to be working with the British Olympic Association and also playing at Wembley."
Tickets for the Barbarians v Australia Olympic Centenary Match are now on general sale and can be purchased by calling the 24-Hour Ticketmaster ticket line on 0844 8472500 or online at www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Ticket prices are as follows: £60, £45 and £30. Concessions are also available for over-60 and under-16 at £30, £22.50 and £15 (booking fees apply)
Young To Coach Summer Tour Squad
[Published: Tuesday 12 February 2008]
David Young has accepted an invitation from the Club committee to coach the Barbarians on their three-match summer tour in May and June.
Young, the Cardiff Blues' director of coaching, played six times for the Barbarians, including high-profile matches against New Zealand and Australia in Twickenham and Cardiff, captained Wales and was selected for three Lions' tours before taking up a coaching career.
David Young said, “It is a real honour for me to be invited to coach the Barbarians at this stage in my career. In my playing days time spent with the Baa-Baas was always something to relish and from what I heard from Blues' players Martyn Williams and Tom Shanklin when they returned after playing for the Baa-Baas against the Springboks a couple of months ago, nothing much has changed.
“Even against the toughest opposition the Barbarians have the knack of getting the delicate balance right between match preparation, meeting people and turning in winning performances.
“On a personal note, the upcoming tour gives me a unique opportunity to work with top-class players from several different nations and backgrounds and in an international environment and I'm looking forward to it tremendously.”
Barbarians' president Micky Steele-Bodger said, “We are delighted that Dai Young has accepted our invitation to take charge of what promises to be another star-studded squad on this year's tour. He is the latest in a long line of top-class coaches such as Bob Dwyer, Pat Howard and Eddie O'Sullivan who have had similar roles with us in recent years.
“We have followed Dai's impressive progress as a coach closely and feel that both he and the Club will benefit from working together on the tour.”
He added, “The Barbarians are also grateful for the support we have had from the management at Cardiff Blues and particularly their chief executive, Robert Norster, a distinguished Barbarian himself in his playing days, for being so positive about Dai Young coming to work with us at the end of a busy domestic season.”
The 2008 summer tour will include matches against an International Invitation XV in Brussels and England at Twickenham. Final details of the three fixtures will be announced shortly.
The Barbarian Football Club is sponsored by Gartmore, one of the UK's leading investment companies.
Summer Tour Announced
[Published: Wednesday 20 February 2008]
The Barbarians will play the national teams of Ireland and England as well as visit Belgium for the first time on their 2008 summer tour.
The three-match itinerary begins at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels on Saturday 24 May when the Barbarians will play a Belgium International XV. The fixture is the latest in a series of groundbreaking matches in recent seasons when the Club has visited several countries, including Germany, Portugal, Russia, Georgia, Tunisia and Spain, to help increase the profile of the international game.
The match against Ireland is set to be staged at Kingsholm, Gloucester on Tuesday 27 May. Club president Micky Steele-Bodger said, “This is a new departure for us but a very interesting one. Ireland were keen to add a fixture in Europe to their own summer tour before travelling on to New Zealand and Australia. With Lansdowne Road and Thomond Park still under redevelopment, we are playing at one of the traditional hotbeds of rugby union in the west of England. Kingsholm was an obvious choice and one that we are sure will prove to be a great success for both players and fans.”
The Barbarians have played Ireland on two previous occasions in 1996 and 2000 and will be defending an unbeaten record. They have played against the Gloucester club in the early days of the game in 1892 and 1900 and also appeared at the Kingsholm ground in 1999 for the annual Remembrance Match against Combined Services.
The summer tour concludes with the match against England at Twickenham on Sunday 1 June in what will be the eighth fixture between the two teams. It will also be the 750th official match played by the Barbarians since the Club's inaugural fixture against Hartlepool Rovers on 27 December 1890.
Cardiff Blues' coach David Young will coach what promises to be another star-studded Barbarians' squad on the summer tour.
Meanwhile, the Barbarians have two domestic fixtures before then. On Tuesday 18 March they will play Bedford in the 81st Mobbs Memorial Match. Newport-Gwent Dragons' director of rugby Paul Turner has accepted an invitation to coach the Baa-Baas' squad for this fixture.
Then on Wednesday 9 April the Barbarians return north of the border to help the Edinburgh Academicals, the oldest club in Scotland, celebrate their 150th season with a match at Raeburn Place. Scottish rugby icon and Barbarian committeeman John Jeffrey will take charge of the Baa-Baas' team for what will be another landmark occasion.
Micky Steele-Bodger said, “This is a very busy season for everyone involved with the Barbarians. We had another great welcome in Plymouth when we played the Combined Services last November and our victory over South Africa in December was a magnificent event in every respect. Now we are looking forward to two more historic matches in Bedford and Edinburgh before making new friends in Belgium and renewing old acquaintances among the cream of Irish and English international rugby.”
Barbarian Fixtures : March-June 2008
Tuesday 18 March v Bedford at Goldington Road (Mobbs Memorial Match)
Wednesday 9 April v Edinburgh Academicals at Raeburn Place (150th Anniversary Match)
Saturday 24 May v Belgium International XV at Heysel Stadium, Brussels
Tuesday 27 May v Ireland at Kingsholm, Gloucester
Sunday 1 June v England at Twickenham
The Barbarian Football Club is sponsored by Gartmore, one of the UK's leading investment companies.
Tickets on sale for Ireland match
[Published: Thursday 06 March 2008]
Tickets are on sale from Monday 10 March for the eagerly awaited summer tour fixture between the Barbarians and Ireland at Kingsholm on Tuesday 27 May.
Early booking discounts are available by calling the Gloucester Ticket Hotline on 0871 871 8781 or online at www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk
Ticket prices are as follows: Gold £42; Silver - adult £35, concession £28 & junior £20; Bronze and East Stand - adult £26, concession £22 & junior £24; Shed and West Terrace - adult £22, cocesion £18 & junior £12 (booking fees apply)
There are also a number of corporate hospitality options available from the Corporate Hospitality Sales team at mandyisom@gloucesterrugby.co.uk or carriehamblett@gloucesterrugby.co.uk or by calling 01452 872273
Team Announced for Mobbs Match
[Published: Wednesday 12 March 2008]
The Barbarians have invited players from eight nations, including seven internationals, to represent the Club in the 81st Mobbs Memorial Match at Goldington Road, Bedford, on Tuesday 18 March (kick-off 7.45pm).
The starting line-up features the brothers Mark and Bradley Davies among the backs and Steve Martin, who will emulate his father Allan by playing for the Barbarians.
The international contingent includes USA Eagle Paul Emerick in the centre and the 25-times capped Ireland wing Justin Bishop.
Club president Micky Steele-Bodger said, “Our squad reflects the balance we always try to bring to these long-established fixtures. Alongside the established players we also have promising stars of the future such as the England under-20 wing, Dan Norton and the Wales Sevens' player, Dafydd Hewitt.”
He added, “We are looking forward to returning to Goldington Road where we have many happy connections. That includes our coach for the match, Paul Turner, who played with such distinction for the Bedford club a decade ago.”
Bedford Blues provide the opposition for the Mobbs Memorial Match for the first time though the Barbarians did play a fixture against the original Bedford club in 1894.
Tickets for the match at £10 with Under-16s free are available from Bedford Blues on 08718711886
Barbarians team:
Bradley Davies (Plymouth Albion); *Dan Norton (Gloucester Rugby & Hartpury College), *Paul Emerick (Newport Gwent Dragons & USA), *Dafydd Hewitt (Cardiff Blues), *Justin Bishop (Doncaster Knights & Ireland); *Mark Davies (Gloucester Rugby), *Ross Blake (Cambridge University); David Maddocks (Coventry), *Sean Crombie (Boroughmuir), Ben Evans (Sale Sharks & Wales), *Steve Martin (Neath Rugby), *Andrew Hall (Newport Gwent Dragons & Scotland), Luke Sherriff (Nottingham), Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues), *Richard Parks (Newport Gwent Dragons & Wales)
Replacements: Joe Duffey (Nottingham), Nigel Hall (Nottingham), Andy Kennedy (Banbridge), *Ledua Jope (Army & Fiji), *Harvey Biljon (Blackheath), *Oliver Viney (Preston Grasshoppers), *Darragh O'Mahony (Old Albanians & Ireland)
[* - denotes new Barbarian]
Barbarian Fixtures : March-June 2008
Tuesday 18 March v Bedford at Goldington Road (Mobbs Memorial Match) - 7.30pm
Wednesday 9 April v Edinburgh Academicals at Raeburn Place - 6.00pm
Saturday 24 May v Belgium XV at King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels – 6.00pm
Tuesday 27 May v Ireland at Kingsholm, Gloucester – 7.45pm
Sunday 1 June v England at Twickenham – 3.00pm
Change in Team for Mobbs Memorial Match
[Published: Friday 14 March 2008]
Cardiff Blues' centre Marc Stcherbina takes the place of his club colleague Dafydd Hewitt in the Barbarians team to play Bedford Blues on 18 March. Hewitt has withdrawn with a leg injury but the vacancy has been quickly filled by the invitation to the former Australia A and Northampton Saints midfielder. Stcherbina first played for the Baa-Baas against Leicester three years ago and is looking forward to wearing the Club's colours again.
He said, "Playing for the Baa-Baas is always a pleasure and this match in particular is something I'm looking forward to. I enjoyed my rugby in the East Midlands when I was with the Saints and it is also an opportunity to team up in the centre with a good friend of mine, Paul Emerick."
Stcherbina's inclusion increases the number of nationalities represented in the match squad of 22 to nine: England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Fiji, New Zealand, South Africa, USA and Australia.
Baa-Baas win 81st Mobbs Memorial Match
[Published: Thursday 20 March 2008]
Bedford Blues 19 Barbarians 34 [h/t: 14-17]
81st Mobbs Memorial Match
Goldington Road, Bedford Tuesday 18 March 2008
The Barbarians' longest serving regular fixture received the support it deserved at Goldington Road where the largest crowd for the Mobbs Memorial Match for several years witnessed an exciting nine-try feast.
Bedford Blues provided the opposition in place of East Midlands and they severely tested a Baa-Baas' squad drawn from nine nations and a healthy sprinkling of capped players. Beforehand, the players' jerseys were presented by Allan Martin, a Barbarian and Lion of the 1970s and father of Steve Martin, about to make his Club debut. Also in the starting line-up were the Davies brothers, Bradley at full-back and Mark at fly-half.
The Blues made the best possible start when Ollie Dodge shook off a succession of attempted tackles to touch down after a 60-metre burst. Ben Patston converted to put the hosts seven points ahead after barely four minutes' play. The Baa-Baas hit back immediately and after a patient build-up via several phases created an overlap on the right for Andrew Hall to cross for an unconverted try. But the Baa-Baas' defence was again at fault in the 18th minute when Will Harries finished off another long distance attack with a converted try to regain the lead for the Blues.
Whatever their defensive lapses, the Barbarians' backs always looked dangerous when in possession and two fine individual efforts by Dan Norton in the 22nd and 32nd minutes, the first converted by Mark Davies, established a 17-14 lead at the interval.
Early in the second half Paul Emerick crossed far out on the right and for the first time the Club were two scores ahead. But that didn't last long and yet again the visitors' defence let them down, this time near to a ruck when scrum-half Will Chudley nipped through a gap for a 30-metre run to the line. The Blues were now threatening to take control but the Baa-Baas regrouped with the introduction of Olly Viney in midfield, in particular, showing the benefits of a fresh pair of legs. This paid off in the 63rd minute as Viney linked with Bradley Davies before gaining his side's fifth try to which Mark Davies added the extras.
In the closing stages the Blues again threatened to comeback for a famous victory but they finally ran out of steam when Ledua Jope, who had come off the replacements' bench as early as the 12th minute after Richard Parks received a bang on the head, finished off a catch-and-drive from a lineout in the right corner.
Barbarians: B M Davies (Plymouth Albion); *D J Norton (Gloucester Rugby), *P Emerick (Newport Gwent Dragons & USA), M Stcherbina (Cardiff Blues), *J P Bishop (Doncaster Knights & Ireland); *M Davies (Gloucester Rugby), *T L Slater (Coventry); D Maddocks (Coventry), *S Crombie (Boroughmuir), B R Evans (Sale Sharks & Wales), *S J Martin (Neath), *A J A Hall (Newport Gwent Dragons & Wales), L C H Sherriff, captain (Nottingham), A T Powell (Cardiff Blues), *R Parks (Newport Gwent Dragons & Wales)
Replacements: J J Duffey (Nottingham) for Crombie (51); N R Hall (Nottingham) for Maddocks (h/t); A Kennedy (Banbridge) for Martin (64); *L Jope (Army) for Parks (1-3, 12); *H Biljon (Blackheath) for Slater (51); *O J Viney (Preston Grasshoppers) for Emerick (58); *D O'Mahony (Old Albanians & Ireland) for Bishop (58)
Tries: Norton (2), A J A Hall, Emerick, Viney, Jope; Cons: M Davies (2)
Bedford: W Harries; P Clarke, O Dodge, B Twelvetrees, D Smith; B Patston, W Chudley; A Brown, G Sammons, B Fortuna, M Howard, C Short, M Comb, R McKay (capt), B Daynes
Replacements: B McManee (Sammons 56), A Parkin (Brown 17-19, h/t), A Brenton (Howard 61), D Hemmingway (McKay 39), S Harrison (Chudley 61), J Russell (Clarke 49), B Burke (Patston 49)
Tries: Dodge, Harries, Chudley; Cons: Patston (2)
Referee: A J Spreadbury (Rugby Football Union)
Team Announced for Accies' Match
[Published: Thursday 03 April 2008]
The Barbarians have invited players from nine nations to represent the Club in the match to celebrate the 150th anniversary season of Edinburgh Academicals at Raeburn Place on Wednesday 9 April (kick-off 6.00pm).
Among the nine capped players in the squad of 22 are Scotland's Gordon Bulloch and his fellow 2001 Lion, Tyrone Howe. The Club has also invited rising stars from the recent Six Nations under-20 tournament including England's Rob Miller and Dan Norton and Scotland's Ross Samson.
Club president Micky Steele-Bodger said, “As a club we are proud to have been invited by Edinburgh Academicals and we are delighted to be able to accept the honour. It is a great achievement to have reached this milestone of 150 years of rugby and congratulations to the Accies on having done so.”
He added, “We will be bringing a Barbarians' squad which reflects our own commitment to balancing established players with youngsters who have a great future in front of them.”
Accies' captain Dan Teague said, “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the players and for the club to play against the Barbarians. They are a team all rugby fans and players can associate with; we've grown up watching their matches and admiring the great names that have played for them and in the exciting style in which they play.”
The Barbarians will be coached by one of Scotland's all-time greats, John Jeffrey, who played for the Baa-Baas on eight occasions and is now a Club committee man.
The match, which will be all-ticket, is being played at one of the most evocative and historic grounds of rugby union world-wide, Raeburn Place, where the first ever international, between Scotland and England, was played in 1871.
Tickets for the match are available from www.edinburghrugby.org and the ticket hotline on 0131 346 5180
Barbarians team:
Stuart Moffat (Viadana & Scotland); Tyrone Howe (Banbridge & Ireland)), Matt Allen (Bedford Blues), Nick Macleod (Cardiff Blues), Craig Morgan (Bristol Rugby & Wales); *Rob Miller (Newcastle Falcons), *Nick Runciman (Worcester Warriors); Dorian Williams (London Welsh), *Gordon Bulloch (West of Scotland & Scotland), Ngalu Tau (Doncaster Knights & Tonga), Jon Phillips (Bedford Blues), *Peter Sidoli (Newport Gwent Dragons), *Tammas McVie (Heriot's), Gavin Quinnell (Worcester Warriors), *Genaro Fessia (Sale Sharks & Argentina)
Replacements: *Andrea Moretti (Viadana & Italy), Ben Evans (Sale Sharks & Wales), Craig Hammond (Nottingham), Ledua Jope (Army & Fiji), *Ross Samson (Newcastle Falcons), *Ross Blake (Cambridge University), Dan Norton (Gloucester Rugby)
[* - denotes new Barbarian]
Historic Day at Raeburn Place
[Published: Thursday 10 April 2008]
Edinburgh Academicals 0 Barbarians 43
Raeburn Place, Edinburgh Wednesday 9 April 2008
The Baa-Baas and the Accies celebrated the 150th anniversary season of the oldest club in Scotland in great style at a packed Raeburn Place.
The sell-out crowd of 3,000 were treated to some sparkling rugby both both sides. That the Accies failed to register a try was a disappointment, especially as they were in no way overawed by their illustrious visitors. Nothing illustrates the point better than the fact that, far from running out of steam, the Accies kept their line intact in the final 20 minutes and, indeed, the closing stages were played mainly in the Baa-Baas' 22 as the hosts did mounted attack after attack.
The match and the day were something to savour. On the world's first international ground in 1871 there were schools' matches in the late afternoon and a gala dinner for 600 guests late into the evening. Present at the game itself was Scotland's – and the Barbarians' – oldest surviving player, J M 'Mac' Henderson. As a back row forward he had won three caps for Scotland in 1933 and in the same year played for the Barbarians against Cardiff. He will be 101 on 1 May 2008.
The Barbarians started well when, from the first scrum, Nick Macleod cut through midfield for a try at the posts to which Rob Miller added the extra points. But it soon became obvious that the Accies' defence had no intention of buckling in the face of Barbarian attacks. It was not until the half-hour mark that Genaro Fessia touched down near the corner and only after there had been several phases of play. He immediately added another which, with Miller's conversion established a flattering interval lead of 19-0.
The second half started like the first with a swift Barbarian try that featured a mazy run by Tyrone Howe before Stuart Moffat. The goalkicking duties passed to Macleod who converted that and the next try by Craig Hammond after good work by Ledua Jope. Then Ross Samson crossed for the sixth try before, in the 62nd minute the Accies' were cruelly punished for turnover ball as Lee Best sprinted 70 metres for the final try at the other end of the pitch.
Barbarians: [* denotes new Barbarian]
J S D Moffat (Viadana & Scotland); *L M Best (Worcester Warriors), M C Allen (Bedford Blues), N A Macleod (Cardiff Blues), C S Morgan (Bristol Rugby & Wales); *R W Miller (Newcastle Falcons), *N J M Runciman (Worcester Warriors); D S Williams (London Welsh), *G C Bulloch, captain (West of Scotland & Scotland), N Tau (Doncaster Knights & Tonga), J L Phillips (Bedford Blues), *P R Sidoli (Newport Gwent Dragons), *T A McVie (Heriot's), D G Quinnell, *G Fessia (Sale Sharks & Argentina)
Replacements: *A Moretti (Viadana & Italy); B R Evans (Sale Sharks & Wales), C J Hammond (Nottingham), L Jope (Army & Fiji), *R G Samson (Newcastle Falcons), *R A Blake (Cambridge University), T G Howe (Banbridge & Ireland)
Tries: Fessia (2), Macleod, Moffat, Hammond, Samson, Best; Cons : Miller (2), Macleod (2)
Edinburgh Academicals:
M Coupar; C Dickie, P Loudon, I Berthinussen, D Rattray; D Blair, M Campbell; L Niven, M Price, A Marsh, N Pike, E Stuart, D Teague (captain), G Campbell, T Drennan
Replacements: G Edwards, J Got, J Berthinussen, R Lovett, S Walker, P Arnold, R Browne, R Bonner, J Murray, G D Laidlaw
Referee: M Changleng (Scottish Rugby Union)
Attendance: 3,000
Praise From Near and Far
[Published: Monday 03 December 2007]
Post-Match Reaction
“One thing we must never forget is rugby's history. We must never get away from our traditions. You have to be excited by the way the players played for the Barbarian jersey, they defended as though they were playing for their countries. These fixtures are part of rugby's history, we must never chisel them away.” Jake White (South Africa's Head Coach)
“My last game was with a magnificent team against a world-class team. I don't think it can get any better. There's no way on earth I could have got to play with these guys, except through the Barbarians and to finish at Twickenham, the home of English rugby, is great.”
Jason Robinson (Barbarians' full-back)
“As ever, the great attraction of watching the Barbarians was seeing quality players meshing instinctively – how come they can do it in four days yet the 2005 Lions spent two months together and never gelled? - and unlikely characters revealing unsuspected skills.” The Daily Telegraph
“The first 50-odd minutes could scarcely have been a better advertisement for rugby union as the world champions...grappled with gifted opponents who had not flown in for a game of pat-a-cake. The result was that rare joy: fantasy rugby with a genuine edge.” The Guardian
“The Barbarians were quite magnificent. Sometimes brilliant in attack – they scored three tries against one of the best defences in the game – they were even better in defence, restricting the Springboks to a solitary try and resisting a second-half siege.” The Independent on Sunday
“The Barbarians beat the Springboks and in the process won themselves a continued run in the heart of most rugby supporters.” The Sunday Times
“So much for those doubting Thomases...who thought that modern rugby could not sustain a group of talented individuals coming together for an enthralling, one-off showpiece occasion against a side with the stature and teamwork of South Africa. Yesterday the Baa-Baas were the very essence of a modern rugby side.” The Sunday Telegraph
Wales' Ace Praises Baa-Baas
[Published: Friday 01 February 2008]
On the eve of the 2008 Six Nations' tournament Wales' flanker Martyn Williams has revealed that playing for the Barbarians was a key factor in deciding to make a comeback to Test rugby.
The 76-times capped and double British & Irish Lion was voted Gartmore man-of-the-match in the Club's famous 22-5 victory over world champions South Africa at Twickenham last December. Weeks earlier he had announced his retirement from test match rugby but said he would continue playing for his home club, Cardiff Blues.
But a week spent with the Barbarians made him think again. He said, "We all had a fantastic few days together in the Barbarians' set-up and everybody got on well together. To win the match was a bonus but what also mattered was the way we all gelled. I must admit as I walked from that game I did begin to wonder whether I had made the correct decision. I felt great - on top of my game - and had really been able to contribute."
Williams returned to his club squad and was instrumental in helping the Blues beat Stade Francais, Harlequins and Bristol to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup for the first time in seven years.
After a request from new Wales' coach Warren Gatland, he has reversed his decision to step out of the test limelight and is now in the Wales' team to play England in the Six Nations' opener at Twickenham on 2 February - and the Barbarians' experience can claim some credit!
Gartmore to sponsor big match
[Published: Thursday 20 September 2007]
Barbarians president Micky Steele-Bodger has welcomed the sponsorship of Gartmore for the Barbarians against South Africa match at Twickenham on Saturday 1 December.
He said, "Gartmore have been very supportive of the Barbarians in the last four years and we are delighted that they have now added to their ongoing sponsorship of the Club by coming on board for what will be the Gartmore Challenge at Twickenham. We are all looking forward to the occasion and the match tremendously."
The Barbarian Football Club is lining up the cream of world rugby to play in the match. These include Jerry Collins and Sitiveni Sivivatu from New Zealand, Chris Latham, Matt Giteau and Rocky Elsom from Australia, and Juan Martin Hernandez and Mario Ledesmo from Argentina.
Stars from nearer home who have been invited include England’s Jason Robinson and Andrew Sheridan, French powerhouse Sebastien Chabal, and Martyn Williams and Tom Shanklin from Wales.
The match at Twickenham will be the Barbarians sixth fixture with South Africa. The Baa-Baas won 6-0 at Cardiff Arms Park in 1961 and 23-15 at Lansdowne Road, Dublin in 1994.
Tickets for the Gartmore Challenge Match are now available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk starting at £25.00
New season fixtures taking shape
[Published: Thursday 20 September 2007]
The Club's fixtures for the 2007-08 season are now being finalised. They will include the return of the much -loved Barbarians matches against touring teams from the southern hemisphere with the game against South Africa at Twickenham on 1 December. Also confirmed are the tenth annual Remembrance Match against the Combined Services at Plymouth in November, the game at Raeburn Place to celebrate the 150th season of Edinburgh Academicals in April 2008, and a second visit to Twickenham to play England.
Please see our fixtures page for further details.
BARBARIANS TO TAKE ON SPRINGBOKS AT TWICKENHAM
[Published: Thursday 20 September 2007]
The Barbarians will play South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday 1 December 2007. The game will be the latest in a series of historic encounters between the two sides that dates back to 1952.
Barbarians' president Micky Steele-Bodger, who was a touch judge in the first game 55 years ago at Cardiff Arms Park, said, "This will be the sixth match between South Africa and the Barbarians and at present the Springboks have the edge at three matches to two.
"So far the victories have alternated between us and if that pattern should continue then on 1 December it will become all square again. Up to now we have won in Cardiff and Dublin but not at Twickenham; we must put that right.
"But judging by recent results in the Super 14 series, where two South African sides contested the final, and then watching the Springboks beating the England touring team, it will be a tough challenge for us in December and we look forward to it."
The committee of the Club is also pleased to announce that the highly regarded head coach of Ireland, Eddie O'Sullivan, will be in charge of preparing the Barbarians' team for the match. He is expected to have a full complement of top-class players from around the world in his squad.
The Springboks' world-class wing Bryan Habana said, "We do not often get the chance to play the Barbarians and to do so at such a world famous venue will be awesome."
