Shane Williams joins Barbarians squad
November 13, 2008 - 6:17am
Story by: ARU
IRB World Player of the Year nominee Shane Williams and rising French star Francois Trinh-Duc are the latest additions to the Barbarians' squad for the London Olympic Centenary match against the Qantas Wallabies at Wembley Stadium on 3 December.
As has been widely anticipated, Williams will line up with South Africa's Bryan Habana and All Black Joe Rococoko to give coaches Jake White and former Wallabies coach, Eddie Jones, a mouthwatering selection option in the wing positions for the historic first Rugby Union match at the revamped stadium.
Both the Welshman and Habana will be making their Barbarians' debuts while Rococoko has already tasted glory in the black and white shirt when helping the Baa-Baas beat South Africa at Twickenham a year ago.
Trinh-Duc burst onto the international stage as a member of France's Six Nations squad last season and joins a back division that also includes England's Ollie Smith and Springbok superstar Jean de Villiers.
The forward pack features three current Test captains in England's Steve Borthwick, New Zealand's Richie McCaw and South Africa's John Smit, who led South Africa to the Rugby World Cup crown under White last October in France.
They will pack down alongside two more South African World Cup heroes in Schalk Burger and Bakkies Botha. They will be joinesd at scrumhalf by Wallabies legend George Gregan.
The Barbarians, who have no ground of their own, are known for their commitment to attacking Rugby. They traditionally field at least one uncapped player, in this instance Western Province back-row forward Nick Koster.
Barbarian committeeman Mike Burton said, “Assembling such a star-studded squad from several countries would not have been possible without the approval and co-operation of national unions and individual provinces and clubs and we are grateful for the support we continue to receive.
“Many people in many different capacities recognise the role of the Barbarians in such high-profile fixtures and their encouragement is a huge fillip to all of us who are involved. It promises to be a great occasion in every respect.”
In the rugby final at the 1908 London Olympics, Australia beat a Great Britain side represented by Cornwall. On 3 December the Barbarians will take the unprecedented step of wearing the socks of the present-day Cornwall county side.
Barbarians' president Micky Steele-Bodger said, “One of our club traditions is that all our players wear the socks of their home clubs but on this occasion we think it appropriate that they wear those of Cornwall in recognition of the county's role at the 1908 Olympics.”
The contribution of Cornwall a century ago will be further recognised by the presentation of the Cornwall Cup to the winning captain at Wembley, with the players of the respective sides receiving gold or silver commemorative medals.
Micky Steele-Bodger added, “It is anticipated that the Cornwall Cup will eventually be presented to the president of the Cornwall RFU as a permanent reminder of the county's unique place in this centenary match,”
As well as being one hundred years since the Wallabies first toured and played 30 matches in the British Isles, next month's match marks the sixtieth anniversary of the Barbarians' inaugural fixture against a major touring side at Cardiff Arms Park in 1948 and will be the tenth time that the Barbarians have played the Wallabies.
BARBARIANS SQUAD:
Backs - Percy Montgomery (SA), Bryan Habana (SA), Joe Rococoko (NZ), Shane Williams (Wales), Rico Gear (NZ), Jean de Villiers (SA), Ollie Smith (England), Francois Trinh-Duc (France), George Gregan (Australia), Fourie du Preez (SA)
Forwards - John Smit (SA), Mark Regan (England), Gurthro Steenkamp (SA), Carl Hayman (NZ), Patrice Collazo (France), Bakkies Botha (SA), Steve Borthwick (England), Chris Jack (NZ), Nick Koster (Western Province), Schalk Burger (SA), Jerry Collins (NZ), Richie McCaw (NZ)
Coach – Jake White
Assistant Coach – Eddie Jones
By Julian Guyer
