Among the new Barbarians are the first pair of twins to play for the club, James and Robert Lewis.The 21-year-old Wales Sevens’ representatives are following in the footsteps of their father, Steve, who played for the Baa-Baas against Leicester in 1979.
A further father and son link with the club will be achieved with the inclusion of Esher captain David Slemen, emulating his father Mike, the England and Lions’ wing whose eight appearances for the Barbarians included a brace of tries against New Zealand in 1978.
Included in the pack is Tim Schumacher, the captain of the Netherlands who becomes the third Dutch international to play for the club, and Sean-Michael Stephen, the Canadian Rugby World Cup representative..
Barbarians’ president Micky Steele-Bodger said, “The demands of the professional game put considerable pressure on both players and their clubs, to whom we are most grateful for their understanding and support in releasing players for this occasion. The clubs appreciate how much the individual player enjoys the whole experience and are very sympathetic.
“We are also delighted that Tim Schumacher and Sean-Michael Stephen will be with us. We are a touring club and have to date visited twenty-three countries and hope to add many more. It is always a pleasure to have such players wearing the Barbarian colours.”
The team will be coached by Glenn Delaney of Nottingham, invited back for a second time after his successful preparation of the team that played in last season’s Mobbs Memorial Match.
Barbarians’ squad:
Backs – Craig Morgan (Cardiff & Wales),* David Slemen (Esher), Simon Webster (Edinburgh & Scotland), *James Lewis (Coventry), Tal Selley (Tonmawr & Wales), *Ben Johnston (Nottingham & England), Richard McCarter (City of Derry), *David Blair (Edinburgh), Ross Samson (Edinburgh), *Robert Lewis (London Welsh)
Forwards – *Ryan Grant (Edinburgh), *Rob Dugard (Coventry), Danny Porte (Plymouth Albion), *Tom Youngs (Nottingham), Chris Ritchie (Rosslyn Park), *Tim Schumacher (Leidsche & Netherlands), *Steven Turnbull (Edinburgh), Henry Head (Richmond), John Dalziel (Melrose), *Sean-Michael Stephen (Plymouth Albion & Canada), *Rhys Shellard (Cardiff), Craig Hammond (Nottingham)
* denotes new Barbarian]
