SOME of the biggest names in Red Roses history will make their Barbarians’ debuts against England on June 2.
Full back Danielle Waterman, fly half Ceri Large, lock Tamara Taylor and prop Laura Keates were all World Cup winners in 2014 and have 309 Test appearances between them.
They are part of an eight-strong England contingent in the stellar Barbarians squad containing international greats from eight different nations. New Zealand’s Anna Richards coaches the side assisted by Wales’s Liza Burgess.
The other England players include the world’s most-capped women’s player Rochelle Clark, who made her debut for the Baa-baas against the USA last month alongside Heather Kerr, and they are joined by more new teammates in scrum half Georgina Gulliver and wing Emily Wood.
Rochelle Clark in action against the USA in April 2019
The sides meet at Twickenham at 12:45 on June 2 as part of a historic double header with the men’s match for the Quilter Cup kicking off at 15:30.
The Barbarians defeated the USA 34-33 in Denver last month and nine of the starting line-up at Glendale return, including Wales fly half Elinor Snowsill and wing Jasmine Joyce, who scored four tries against the Women’s Eagles.
New Zealand’s Linda Itunu captained that side and the No.8 returns with four other Black Ferns’ World Cup winners in hooker Fiao’o Fa’amausili, flanker Justine Lavea, prop Steph Te Ohaere-Fox, and centre Kristina Sue.
Wales’s Jasmine Joyce scored four tries against the USA
In line with the club’s traditions, the Barbarians also include two exciting uncapped players in centre Kayla Ahki and wing Tova Derk.
Centre Ahki was an Olympic Sevens star with New Zealand and made her Barbarians debut against the British Army in 2018.
Swedish sevens player Derk featured against Munster in 2017 and against the USA last month.
There are 12 representatives from Tyrrell’s Premier 15s clubs including Saracens title winners Gulliver and Hannah Casey.
Forwards
Rochelle Clark (Wasps & England) 137 caps
Dalena Dennison (Warringah & Australia) 12
Fiao’o Fa’amausili (Auckland Marist & New Zealand) 57
Carmen Farmer (Glendale & USA) 11
Linda Itunu (Ponsonby & New Zealand) 40
Laura Keates (Worcester Valkyries & England) 60
Heather Kerr (Darlington MP & England) 16
Justine Lavea (Ardmore Marist & New Zealand) 34
Claire Malloy (Wasps & Ireland) 69
Gaelle Mignot (Montpellier & France) 70
Tamara Taylor (Darlington MP & England) 115
Steph Te Ohaere-Fox (Christchurch & New Zealand) 25
Backs
Kayla Ahki (Unattached) 0
Hannah Casey (Saracens & Ireland) 7
Tova Derk (Wasps) 0
Georgina Gulliver (Saracens & England) 37
Jasmine Joyce (Worcester Valkyries & Wales) 15
Kristina Sue (Manawatu Cyclones & New Zealand) 15
Ceri Large (Gloucester Hartpury & England) 52
Sene Naoupu (Old Belvedere & Ireland) 34
Elinor Snowsill (Bristol Bears & Wales) 52
Danielle Waterman (Wasps & England) 82
Emily Wood (Gloucester Hartpury & England) 4