ADAM JONES AND ALEX CUTHBERT JOIN BARBARIANS SQUAD

Tuesday 5 May 2015

Adam Jones and Alex Cuthbert are set to make their first appearances for the Barbarians against Ireland and England this month.

The Wales and British & Irish Lions duo have been invited to join the squad by former Australia coach Robbie Deans for games against Ireland at Thomond Park, Limerick (May 28) and an England XV at Twickenham Stadium (May 31).

Tight head prop Jones is a triple Grand Slam winner who retired from international rugby this season after winning 95 caps for Wales and five for the British & Irish Lions. The 34 year-old moves from Cardiff Blues to Harlequins this summer.

Cuthbert, 25, will be out to impress Warren Gatland ahead of Wales's World Cup training camp. The Cardiff Blues wing has scored 14 tries in 32 internationals as well as touching down for the Lions in the first Test against Australia in 2013.

Deans was in charge of the Wallabies that day and is looking forward to having both men in a squad that already includes the likes of New Zealand’s Joe Rokocoko, Australia’s Berrick Barnes and Toulon’s leading try scorer David Smith.

For Jones it is the chance to pull on the iconic black and white shirt of the famous club, celebrating their 125th anniversary this year, for the first time and he is looking forward to the opportunity as one of the high points of his illustrious career.

Jones said: “I’ve always wanted to play for the Barbarians and I’m looking forward to it. I’ve heard great things from those who’ve been involved in the past.

“I grew up in a rugby mad family and watched tapes of Gareth Edwards playing for the Barbarians and scoring his famous try. Wales, the Lions and the Barbarians were the big three you aspired to play for and it’s good to finally complete that set.

“I’m coming into a new phase of my career having retired from international rugby and that has given me the opportunity to do new things like playing for the Barbarians before what should be a great spell at Harlequins.

“I’ve had one or two wins in my career at Thomond Park but that’s about it. It’s a tough place to play and a great stadium. It’ll be interesting playing in a Robbie Deans side rather than against one but it’s something I’m really looking forward to."

Tickets for the Ireland v Barbarians match are priced from €30 and family (1 adult & 1 junior) terrace packs from €25 at www.ticketmaster.ie or 0818 719 300.

Tickets for the England XV v Barbarians match are priced from £35 and £15 for juniors (U16) at www.ticketmaster.co.uk or 0844 847 2492