Barbarian F.C. is delighted to announce that newly appointed Harlequins Performance Director Robbie Deans will join the Barbarians coaching team for their highly anticipated summer fixture against Wales at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on 27 June.
Deans will work alongside former All Blacks Head Coach Scott Robertson and Racing 92 Head Coach Patrice Collazo, forming a formidable and experienced coaching trio for the iconic fixture. The event will feature a doubleheader of international rugby, with the men’s match kicking off at 2:00pm followed by the women’s match at 5:00pm, celebrating the Barbarians’ attacking ethos and bringing the 2025/26 season to a close.
This will mark Deans’ ninth involvement with the Barbarians. The 66-year-old New Zealander has previously overseen notable victories against Ireland (2015), Fiji (2016 and 2024), and participated in fixtures against New Zealand (2017), England (2015), Wales (2019), and South Africa (2025), as well as a draw against South Africa in 2016.
Speaking on his return, Deans said: “I’m very excited to be coming back to Allianz Stadium and represent the Barbarians. It’s such a special place to play and watch rugby. The Barbarians embody all the best elements of the game — playing with freedom, flair, and entertaining supporters on match day. I feel extremely fortunate to have been involved with the world’s most famous club for over a decade.”
Deans brings a wealth of elite-level coaching experience. He served as Director of Rugby at Saitama Wild Knights from 2014 to 2025, winning five Japanese league titles during his tenure. Prior to that, he was member of the All Blacks coaching staff that returned the Bledisloe Cup to New Zealand in 2003 where it remains to this day. He enjoyed a highly successful period with the Crusaders (2000–2008), where he secured five Super Rugby championships and then went on to coach Australia from 2008 to 2013, taking the Wallabies to a ranking of second in the world for three consecutive years and winning the Tri-nations in 2011.
Following this summer’s fixture, Deans will officially join Harlequins as part of their coaching set-up for the 2026/27 season.
John Spencer, President of Barbarian F.C. commented: “We are honoured to be welcoming Robbie back into the coaching team this summer. Robbie and the Barbarians have a long and proud history. He is a coach with the utmost respect across the world game, highlighted by his recent appointment in the U.K. He is a man and a coach who embodies the Barbarian F.C. club spirit and ethos and having his vision and experience alongside Scott and Patrice this summer is hugely exciting.”
Tickets for Barbarians v Wales Double Header – Allianz Stadium – Twickenham 27 June are available via Ticketmaster.co.uk and England Rugby, starting from just £40* for adults and £20* for under-16s. Hospitality packages are also available from £179+VAT PP, visit www.allianzstadiumtwickenham.com
(*Booking fees apply.)
