BARBARIANS

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Williams & Trinh-Duc join Baa-baas all-stars

Wednesday 12th November 2008

Speed machine: Shane Williams

The Barbarians' squad has been further boosted by the addition of two big names in the form of World Player of the Year nominee Shane Williams and promising French fly-half Francois Trinh-Duc for the London Olympic Centenary match against Australia at the revamped Wembley Stadium on 3 December.

Coaches Jake White and Eddie Jones will have an all-star squad to work with, including All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and a host of World Cup-winning Springboks (though these players have yet to be released by SARU).

If former World Player of the Year Bryan Habana is given the go-ahead to play, the Baa-Baas will not lack for firepower out wide as he and Williams (both Barbarian debutantes) will be joined by All Blacks flyer Joe Rococoko.

Trinh-Duc, who missed France's clash with Argentina last Saturday due to a thigh injury will be joined in the back-line by his Montpellier team-mate, Englishman Ollie Smith

"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," said Barbarian committee man Mike Burton.

"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.

"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," said Barbarians' president Micky Steele-Bodger.

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.

"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," added Steele-Bodger.

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)