Five New Zealanders are included in the Barbarians squad to prepare for Sunday’s (UKT) game with the All Blacks XV at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
Co-coaches Ronan O’Gara and Scott Robertson will have former All Blacks Luke Whitelock, George Bridge, Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Charlie Ngatai, and former Maori All Black Ihaia West in their side.
Former Crusader Whitelock now plays for Section Paloise in France, while his former teammate Bridge has joined Montpellier in France.
Barlow is part of O’Gara’s Stade Rochelais team, the same side West achieved his European Cup winner’s medal with last year before joining Toulon.
Ngatai plays his rugby for Leinster in Ireland.
Another familiar face is Joe Marchant, who played for the Blues for a season before returning to Harlequins. However, he has just advised that he is leaving the English club to play for Stade Racing.
The Barbarians squad is: Facundo Bosch, Camille Chat, George Henri Colombe, Cedate Gomes Sa, Joe Marler, Zach Mercer, John Ryan, Romain Sazy, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Aaron Wainwright, Lauret Wencelas, Luke Whitelock, George Bridge, Antoine Hastoy, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Dillyn Leyds, Joe Marchant, Charlie Ngatai, Remi Picquette, Raymond Rhule, Teddy Thomas, Rhys Webb, Ihaia West.
