The Barbarians will take their cast of international stars to the Czech Republic for the first time this season. The famous invitation club will play in Prague on November 8 (6.30pm), three days after facing South Africa in the Killik Cup match at Wembley.
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Barbarians to face Czech Republic in Prague
The Czech Republic match, one of the biggest in the 90-year rugby history of 34th-ranked nation, is due to be staged at the Marketa Stadium.
Robbie Deans will take the squad to Europe for the game before heading to the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast to face Fiji on November 11. The Barbarians players will also hold an outreach session for local children in Prague.
Czech Rugby General Secretary Pavel Mysak said: "This year is our 90th anniversary and this is our biggest event in years - it’ll be one of the highlights of those 90 years.
"After the success of the World Cup people here are interested in rugby and it’s important for us to attract more people, particularly children, to the game.
"We want to show people in the Czech Republic a different sport that has strong values and the Barbarians are an example of that. They have a very high reputation and I know it’s one of the greatest honours for a player to be selected."
Barbarians Honorary Secretary Gordon Brown said: “We are looking forward to their first visit to the Czech Republic and playing against the national team in Prague. It should be an enjoyable occasion for a strong squad of Barbarians players, management and officials.
“The Barbarians will be facing a 20th different international side and we have competed against many developing rugby nations as well as established countries. We are delighted to be able to play a role in raising the profile of the game in the Czech Republic.”
In the last decade the Barbarians have travelled to play Spain, Belgium, Tunisia and Georgia as well as facing Argentina, Australia, England, Fiji, Ireland, New Zealand, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa and Wales.
The Czech Republic won six and drew one of their games in the European Nations Cup this season, missing out on promotion into the competition’s second tier by a single point.
There are existing links between the teams. The Czech Republic’s most famous player Jan Machacek appeared twice for the Barbarians against Leicester in 1998, scoring a try in each game.
The No.8 played professionally for Newport, Pontypridd and Clermont, as well as spending a season in the Aviva Premiership for Sale Sharks, where he appeared alongside the likes of England’s Jim Mallinder, Phil Greening and Pat Sanderson.
Tickets to the Barbarians v South Africa match for the Killik Cup at Wembley Stadium are available from £20* Visit www.ticketmaster.co.uk Other tickets from £40 adults, £20 concessions (U18 & 60+) & family packages. (*Limited tickets available. Booking fees apply)
Tickets to the Barbarians v Fiji at Kingspan Stadium, Belfast, are available from £20 for adults and £12 for juniors. Visit www.ticketmaster.ie
