Eddie Jones, Steve Hansen confirm their Barbarians, World XV teams

Eddie Jones and Steve Hansen have named their respective Barbarians and World XV starting teams for this Sunday’s star-studded Killik Cup clash at Twickenham. Having confirmed their squads last Friday, the players have since assembled in London and rather than wait until later in the week before announcing the exact line-ups, the coaches have opted to go early and heighten the tantalising prospect of the stellar-cast talent that will be on show.

The various head-to-heads are lit. For instance, the opposing full-backs are Gareth Anscombe versus Charles Piutau, Tevita Li finds himself facing Israel Folau, Samu Kerevi’s opposite number is Ngani Laumape, it’s Quade Cooper against Adam Hastings at out-half and so on… and that is before you get into the forwards where the tasty individual battles include Steven Luatua against Vilame Mata at No8.

A statement read: “Barbarian FC and the World XV, led by Eddie Jones and Steve Hansen respectively, have named their matchday line-ups for this weekend’s Killik Cup clash at Twickenham Stadium.

When Scott “Razor” Robertson met Joe Marler | Being Barbarians

When Scott “Razor” Robertson met Joe Marler | Being Barbarians

“The Killik Cup will be on the line this Sunday (KO:2pm), with both squads jam-packed with world-class talent and internationals from 11 nations represented. Wales and British and Irish Lions legend Alun Wyn Jones has been named as Barbarians captain, while Italy’s Michele Lamaro will lead out the World XV in London.”

RugbyPass will be publishing an exclusive interview this weekend with World XV scrum-half Nick Phipps, the Australian who exited London Irish last summer to take up a contract in Japan with NEC Green Rockets in Tokyo.

The one we’ve all been waiting for ?

A true #rugby legend ? #Baabaas #KillikCup ? pic.twitter.com/MIxSlywjqi

— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 24, 2023

BARBARIANS: 15. Gareth Anscombe; 14. Adam Radwan, 13. Seta Tamanivalu, 12. Samu Kerevi, 11. Tevita Li; 10. Quade Cooper (vice-capt). 9. Jack Maunder; 1. Alex Waller, 2, Nic Dolly, 3. Enrique Pieretto, 4. Alun Wyn Jones (capt), 5. Stephan Lewies. 6. Aaron Wainwright, 7. Kai Yamamoto, 8. Steven Luatua. Reps: 16. Harry Thacker, 17. Tom West, 18. Carlu Sadie, 19. Rob Simmons, 20, Sione Vailanu, 21. Francois Hougaard, 22. Aaron Cruden, 23. Sam Johnson.

WORLD XV: 15. Charles Piutau; 14. Israel Folau, 13, Semi Radradra, 12, Ngani Laumape, 11. Sbu Nkosi; 10. Adam Hastings, 9. Nick Phipps; 1. Wyn Jones, 2. Fraser Brown, 3. Oli Keeble, 4. Api Ratuniyarawa, 5. Harry Hockings, 6. Sebastian Negri, 7. Michele Lamaro (capt), 8. Vilame Mata. Reps: 16. Elliot Dee, 17. Allan Dell, 18. Marcus Street, 19. Niccolo Cannone, 20. Jordi Murphy, 21. Bryn Hall, 22. Rhys Parchell, 23. Kaminieli Rasaku.

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