LONDON, May 29 PA Argentina flanker Juan Manuel Leguizamon will captain the Barbarians against the England XV on Sunday, in a side boasting more than 700 caps and drawn from nine different nations.
British and Irish Lions lock Donncha O’Callaghan will make his Barbarians debut while Clermont’s Australian fly-half Brock James is the only uncapped player in the squad.
Coach Dean Ryan has selected five All Blacks in his starting line-up, with Georgia powerhouses Davit Kubriashvili and Mamuka Gorgodze big threats up front in Sunday’s Twickenham clash.
“Juan Manuel Leguizamon commands respect as a player, he’s led the Pumas in Tests and he’ll do an excellent job throughout this week and at Twickenham on Sunday,” said Ryan.
“It’s a privilege to work with such an experienced and talented group, and in the short time we’ve been together they’ve shown how committed they are to delivering a first-class performance.
“The Barbarians is a special entity in the way it brings together outstanding players from all corners of the rugby world but ultimately we have to deliver on the pitch and that is our aim.”
Munster lock O’Callaghan is the Barbarians’ most experienced star with 94 caps for Ireland and four for the Lions.
Stade Francais prop Kubriashvili replaces Georgia team-mate and Clermont front-rower Davit Zirakashvili, while All Black Anthony Tuitavake has replaced Australia’s James O’Connor.
Barbarians team to face England XV on Sunday June 1:
J M Hernandez (Racing Metro, Argentina), J Rokocoko (Bayonne, New Zealand), R Ranger (Montpellier, New Zealand), B Stanley (Clermont, New Zealand), H Gear (Toulouse, New Zealand), B James (Clermont), J Cowan (Gloucester, New Zealand), S Taumalolo (Perpignan, Tonga), T Paulo (Clermont, Samoa), D Kubriashvili (Stade Francais, Georgia), D O’Callaghan (Munster, Ireland), J Kruger (Racing Metro, South Africa), J M Leguizamon (Lyon, Argentina, capt), A Lapandry (Clermont, France), M Gorgodze (Montpellier, Georgia).
Replacements: A Hore (Maniototo, New Zealand), J Brugnaut (Racing Metro, France), N Lobo (Toulouse, Samoa), J Tekori (Toulouse, Samoa), R Wilson (Ulster, Ireland), T Cubelli (Belgrano, Argentina), F Trinh-Duc (Montpellier, France), A Tuitavake (Montpellier, New Zealand).
