O’Callaghan To Line Out For Baa-Baas

Munster’s most capped player Donncha O’Callaghan will line out for the Barbarians on Sunday when they face an England XV at Twickenham.

Long after making his senior debut for Munster against Edinburgh Reivers in August 1998, this season saw O’Callaghan become Munster's record appearance holder when he came off the bench to win his 241st cap against Zebre at Musgrave Park in February. Barbarians inclusion is just the latest in a long list of honours in the Corkman’s career, winning over 90 caps for Ireland and travelling on two British & Irish Lions tours. Still with a big role to play in the province, O’Callaghan signed a contract extension late in 2013 that will keep him at Munster until at least 2016.

Membership of any Barbarians team is by invitation only and the qualifications considered when issuing an invitation are that the player's rugby is of a high standard and secondly that he should behave himself on and off the field. Over the years players from almost 30 countries have worn Barbarian colours and this time round the Munster second row is one of 19 Barbarian debutants from a melting pot of nine countries.

As is tradition, at least one uncapped player is included in the selection – Clermont Auvergne’s Brock James will provide his services in a potent looking set of backs.

The Baa-Baas squad will be coached by Dean Ryan, and the Worcester Warriors boss is relishing the challenge;

“It is a testimony to the special appeal the Barbarians has throughout the rugby world that we have been able to bring together such an experienced and talented squad of players.

“It’s a privilege to be able to work with a group who have achieved so much and we’re looking forward to taking on a young England side at Twickenham next Sunday.”

There is one change to the group of players previously announced with Castres-bound All Black Sitiveni Sivivatu now unavailable.

Barbarians squad, backs: Jimmy Cowan (Gloucester & New Zealand), Tomas Cubelli (Belgrano & Argentina), Hosea Gear (Toulouse & New Zealand), Juan Martin Hernandez (Racing Metro & Argentina), Brock James (Clermont), James O’Connor (London Irish & Australia), Rene Ranger (Montpellier & New Zealand), Joe Rokocoko (Bayonne & New Zealand), Benson Stanley (Clermont & New Zealand), Francois Trinh-Duc (Montpellier & France).

Forwards: Julien Brugnaut (Racing Metro & France), Schalk Ferreira (Toulouse), Mamuka Gorgodze (Montpellier & Georgia), Andrew Hore (Highlanders & New Zealand), Juandre Kruger (Racing Metro & South Africa), Alexandre Lapandry (Clermont & France), Juan Manuel Leguizamon (Lyon & Argentina), Nahuel Lobo (Montpellier & Argentina), Donncha O’Callaghan (Munster & Ireland), Ti‘i Paulo (Clermont & Samoa), Sona Taumalolo (Perpignan & Tonga), Joe Tekori (Toulouse & Samoa), Roger Wilson (Ulster & Ireland), Davit Zirakashvili (Clermont & Georgia).

England XV v Barbarians, Twickenham, Sunday June 1^st. KO 15:00