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Barbarians name Marchant as one of three more players to face ABs
By Liam Heagney
Joe Marchant has become the latest out-of-favour England player to accept an invitation from the Barbarians to join their squad for the November 13 match in London versus an All Blacks XV, a game that will be followed by a clash with his own Harlequins team four days later on November 17.
The England utility has agreed to join up with the Scott Roberston/Ronan O’Gara-coached Baa-Baas, who had earlier named Joe Marler - Marchant’s club and country colleague - as part of their squad after he was also omitted from Eddie Jones’ national team pick.
Marchant was one of three squad additions confirmed on Tuesday by the Barbarians, who also included John Ryan, the ex-Wasps prop who took up a short-term deal this week at Munster after his Gallagher Premiership club collapsed, while O’Gara’s La Rochelle influence has resulted in Teddy Thomas of France getting a call.
A Barbarians statement read: “Three more international stars will join up with Barbarian FC ahead of the Killik Cup against All Blacks XV on Sunday, November 13. England’s Joe Marchant, Ireland’s John Ryan and France’s Teddy Thomas are set to run out for the famous invitational club to take on a New Zealand side packed with high-profile names.
“Harlequins’ Joe Marchant, who has made 13 appearances in England shirt, makes his Barbarians debut and will know what to expect after facing the Baa-Baas for an England XV in 2019.
“Prop John Ryan will stop off in London en route back to Ireland to join the Barbarians, fulfilling a career dream… The last of today’s confirmed players, Teddy Thomas, will be joining his Stade Rochelais head coach Ronan O’Gara in the Barbarians after moving to Les Maritimes from Top 14 rivals Racing 92.
“Popular loosehead prop Joe Marler is another huge name to make his return to the Barbarians alongside Zach Mercer (England and Montpellier), George Bridge (New Zealand and Crusaders), Camille Chat (France and Racing 92) and Josua Tuisova (Fiji and Lyon), with more big names from the world of rugby to be announced in the coming days.
“Battling for the Killik Cup, the Barbarians will go up against a very strong All Blacks XV team, with Auckland and Blues lock Patrick Tuipulotu captaining the side alongside a host of well-known names. The visiting side has eight players with Test experience - Tuipulotu, Aidan Ross, Angus Ta’avao, Asafo Aumua, Luke Jacobson, TJ Perenara, Brad Weber, and Damian McKenzie.”
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Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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