England v Barbarians, taking place at Twickenham on Sunday 19 June (tickets available now), will feature some of the biggest and brightest stars led by one of the best coaching set-ups – and there will no doubt be more than a few familiar faces playing against the home side. 

A week in camp with the Barbarians will be an ideal precursor for the French coaching team and some of their national squad before their Summer Tour in Japan, while England will use the opportunity to prepare for their three-Test series Down Under.

Galthie, who led France to their first Six Nations title and Grand Slam since 2010 this year as Les Bleus beat England 25-13 in their final match, revealed: “I was contacted by the British Barbarians after (France beat) the All Blacks (last November) to play England on June 19. It’s a great honour.” 

Galthie has his eye on a number of big names to join his Barbarians squad, and fans will be treated to an absolute feast of the thrilling Barbarians flavour of rugby for which the international side are rightfully well-known.  

"We'll leave for Japan without those [French] players taking part in the [Top 14] finals," Galthie said, adding that some players called up for Japan, including Toulon backrower Charles Ollivon, could turn out for the Barbarians.

France forwards coach William Servat said on the Super Moscato: “It’s an honour. It’s fantastic. It’s an opportunity, rugby today takes on another dimension.

“Through this proposal, the French team also takes on another dimension. Fabien Galthié shows the whole of world rugby that we exist and that our players are fantastic.”

Other members of the French coaching team who will prepare players to turn out in the famous Black and White against England at Twickenham include France’s defence coach Shaun Edwards – whose name is often mentioned by fans and pundits alike as they speculate on who might succeed Eddie Jones.

Servat’s forwards co-coach Karim Ghezal, Director of Performance Thibault Giroud and attack coach Laurent Labit finalise the Barbarians’ coaching line-up.

With a variety of world-class players widely tipped to be joining the Barbarians squad, the names of those due to light up Twickenham in June will be confirmed and announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets can be purchased via eticketing.co.uk/RFU