Premiership
Barbarian F.C. names provisional squad for Saints clash

The Barbarians have today announced a provisional squad to face Northampton Saints at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens later this month.The clash, which kicks off at 3pm on Saturday 26 November, sees the most famous invitational rugby side in the world head to Northampton for an unmissable exhibition match – the very first time the Barbarians have locked horns with Northampton Saints.The historic fixture will see former Saints Luther Burrell and Tom Wood take to the hallowed Gardens turf alongside a host of Gallagher Premiership and international stars – including Danny Cipriani, Dan Robson, Owen Williams and Francois Hougaard – with the BaaBaas coached by Geordan Murphy and John Mulvihill.Barbarian F.C. President, John Spencer, said: “This will be our first visit to Franklin’s Gardens since 2007, but the first time we have ever faced Saints on the pitch, which is incredibly exciting for everyone at the Barbarians. It is indeed a privilege to be invited to face the men in Black, Green and Gold.“We’re delighted to be able to bring the popular Saints faces of Luther and Tom back to Northampton, as well as a squad with a large Wasps and Worcester Warriors contingent, and a sprinkling of seasoned internationals too.“We’re confident that this is a group that can dazzle a Northampton crowd with our world-famous BaaBaas skill, flair and passion come November 26.”The fixture replaces Saints’ previously scheduled Gallagher Premiership match against Worcester Warriors, with all Season Tickets and seasonal hospitality valid for the game. Match tickets are available to purchase HERE* and start from just £18 for adults, while all under-18s tickets are capped at £5.Provisional Barbarian F.C. squad to face Northampton SaintsSaturday 26 November 2022cinch Stadium at Franklin’s GardensKick-off: 3pmTickets available HERECOACHESGeordan MurphyJohn MulvihillFORWARDSWill BoydeTim CardallTom CruseHika ElliotBen HarrisBrok HarrisGraham KitchenerMurray McCallumBen MorrisOlly RobinsonJohn RyanElliott StookeTom WoodBACKSLuther BurrellDanny CiprianiWill Haydon-WoodJonah HolmesFrancois HougaardPerry HumphreysDan RobsonGareth SimpsonOwen WilliamsMarland Yarde
The Barbarians have today announced a provisional squad to face Northampton Saints at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens later this month.
The clash, which kicks off at 3pm on Saturday 26 November, sees the most famous invitational rugby side in the world head to Northampton for an unmissable exhibition match – the very first time the Barbarians have locked horns with Northampton Saints.
The historic fixture will see former Saints Luther Burrell and Tom Wood take to the hallowed Gardens turf alongside a host of Gallagher Premiership and international stars – including Danny Cipriani, Dan Robson, Owen Williams and Francois Hougaard – with the BaaBaas coached by Geordan Murphy and John Mulvihill.
Barbarian F.C. President, John Spencer, said: “This will be our first visit to Franklin’s Gardens since 2007, but the first time we have ever faced Saints on the pitch, which is incredibly exciting for everyone at the Barbarians. It is indeed a privilege to be invited to face the men in Black, Green and Gold.
“We’re delighted to be able to bring the popular Saints faces of Luther and Tom back to Northampton, as well as a squad with a large Wasps and Worcester Warriors contingent, and a sprinkling of seasoned internationals too.
“We’re confident that this is a group that can dazzle a Northampton crowd with our world-famous BaaBaas skill, flair and passion come November 26.”
The fixture replaces Saints’ previously scheduled Gallagher Premiership match against Worcester Warriors, with all Season Tickets and seasonal hospitality valid for the game. Match tickets are available to purchase HERE* and start from just £18 for adults, while all under-18s tickets are capped at £5.
Provisional Barbarian F.C. squad to face Northampton Saints
Saturday 26 November 2022
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 3pm
Tickets available HERE
COACHES
Geordan Murphy
John Mulvihill
FORWARDS
Will Boyde
Tim Cardall
Tom Cruse
Hika Elliot
Ben Harris
Brok Harris
Graham Kitchener
Murray McCallum
Ben Morris
Olly Robinson
John Ryan
Elliott Stooke
Tom Wood
BACKS
Luther Burrell
Danny Cipriani
Will Haydon-Wood
Jonah Holmes
Francois Hougaard
Perry Humphreys
Dan Robson
Gareth Simpson
Owen Williams
Marland Yarde
Premiership
Gloucester Rugby sign Cardiff star

Gloucester Rugby is pleased to announce the signing of centre Max Llewellyn, who will arrive at Kingsholm this summer ahead of the 2023/24 season.
Llewellyn, who qualifies for both Wales and England, moves to the Cherry & Whites from United Rugby Championship side Cardiff Rugby, where he has made 40 appearances, scoring five tries.
The 24-year-old also spent time with Cardiff RFC in the Welsh Premiership and represented Wales U20s 14 times between 2018 and 2019.
At 6’5’’ and 105kg, Llewellyn brings a significant physical presence into Gloucester’s midfield options.
Max comes from impressive rugby stock, his father, Gareth Llewellyn, having won 92 caps for Wales.
Gloucester Rugby Head Coach, George Skivington, says the young centre is a welcome addition to the squad.
“Max is a young player that has a huge amount of potential and we’re excited about him seeing him in Cherry & White. He’s been really impressive for Cardiff over the last couple of seasons and we know he’s relishing the prospect of challenging himself in the Gallagher Premiership.
“He’s obviously a big lad and he enjoys that physical side of the game but that’s not the only string to his bow.
“Max will have some experienced Premiership backs to learn from here in addition to the coaching staff, so he’s in a great place to develop, and we’re looking forward to seeing him in Cherry & White.”
“I’m really excited to be coming to Gloucester” commented Llewellyn.
“It’s always been an ambition of mine to play in the Premiership and to do that for a club like Gloucester, it’s something I’m really looking forward to.
“I was fortunate enough to play at Kingsholm in pre-season and the atmosphere there was amazing; it’s somewhere you look forward to playing every week.”
Max is in for 2023/24, are you? Get your 2023/24 Club Membership before 5pm today (Monday 20 March) HERE to secure your early bird discount.
Premiership
Dave Walder to leave Newcastle Falcons


Thursday 16 March 2023
Dave Walder will leave his role as head coach at Newcastle Falcons at the end of the 2022-23 campaign.
Following the departure of Dean Richards at the end of last season Walder has spearheaded the coaching department throughout the 22-23 campaign, which also comprises Mark Laycock, Mark Wilson, Micky Ward and Scott MacLeod.
While Dave will leave at the end of his contracted period he will step back with immediate effect, handing the reins to Mark Laycock until a successor is officially appointed in the coming months.
Speaking on Dave’s departure, Matt Thompson, chairman of rugby, said: “Realistically we haven’t been where we want to be for a few years now and as a club we recognise the need to make changes to our approach to achieve our goals. Transitional periods like this are never easy, and unfortunately we are going to lose some people along the way.
“A lot has happened, particularly this year, both across the sport and on and off the field at the club, and we need a bit of a reset across the board.
“Our aim is to be a sustainable club that is here for years to come and in line with that it’s important that we invest in the right areas, in the right way at the right time. We want to entertain our supporters and play an exciting brand of rugby, which also means having the right players and coaching personnel in place to take us forward, and that is part of our ongoing recruitment strategy.
“We’ve already made some great announcements including re-signing a number of players such as Ben Stevenson, Jamie Blamire and Adam Radwan. This has been bolstered by some new faces including Tim Cardall, Murray McCallum and Kiran McDonald. We also continue to recruit both on and off the field into the rugby department, including across the coaching team.
“The ongoing support from our loyal supporters and our employees is huge, and we want to thank them for the commitment they continue to show to Newcastle Falcons. We’re really excited for them to come on this journey with us and be part of what is shaping up to be both an exciting and sustainable future.
“On a more personal note, we’re immensely grateful for everything Dave has helped us to achieve. He’s been a massive part of our club for many years and as with all departures it’s been a tough decision, but ultimately the right one for the club as we move forward. We wish him all the best in the future and look forward to seeing what he does next.”
As a player Walder made 110 appearances for the Falcons, scoring the winning try in the 2001 Tetley’s Bitter Cup final and forming an instrumental part of the side which won the 2004 Powergen Cup final.
Going on to earn domestic and European honours with Wasps before finishing his playing career with Japanese side Mitsubishi Dynaboars, Walder joined Newcastle’s coaching staff in 2014.
Initially serving as kicking skills coach, he stepped up as backs and attack coach before being promoted to head coach in 2017, earning promotion from the Championship and helping steer the Falcons to their first Gallagher Premiership semi-final.
Newcastle Falcons is working to finalise the structure of the coaching team for the 2023-24 season, and further announcements will be made once the interview process has concluded.
Premiership
Ollie Thorley re-signs with Gloucester Rugby

Gloucester Rugby is delighted to announce that academy graduate, Ollie Thorley, has extended his stay at Kingsholm.
The Cheltenham College product became the Club’s youngest first-team try scorer when he crossed against Ospreys in March 2015 in the LV Cup and he hasn’t stopped scoring since.
The explosive winger has scored over 30 tries in Cherry & White, including a chart-topping 11 tries in the 2019/20 season, the highest-ever Premiership total by a Gloucester player.
Thorley represented England at U18 and U20 level, winning the 2016 IRB Junior World Championship with the latter, he later went on to win his first England cap against Italy in the 2020 Six Nations and is widely tipped to gain more international honours soon.
He bounced back from an injury that kept him out of the start of the season and has hit form straight away, winning back-to-back Stowford Press Player of the Match awards against London Irish and Saracens recently.
Gloucester Rugby Head Coach, George Skivington, commented:
“We’re really pleased that Ollie has committed his future to the Club. He’s a leading example of a player that has developed in the Gloucester Rugby pathway and gone on to be a key figure in the first team.
“He’s naturally a very dangerous attacking player, but he’s always working to develop and grow his game which you can see in his performances this season.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Ollie represent this club for years to come.”
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