Jones. current head coach of Canada’s national team , will work with Jones, the newly appointed Wallabies head coach, for the clash at Twickenham Stadium on Sunday 28 May (kick-off: 3pm).
Capped 10 times by Wales in the back row, Jones led his country once in 1998 during a distinguished playing career that took in spells at Ebbw Vale, Pontypridd, Gloucester, Worcester Warriors and Doncaster Knights.
He also played twice for the Barbarians in 2000, at Leicester and in the 31-30 win over an Ireland XV at Lansdowne Road.
The Canadian head coach since 2017, the 53-year-old Jones has also coached Newport Gwent Dragons, Russia, Sale Sharks and Doncaster.
“Coaching the Barbarians is one of the highest honours in rugby. I was lucky enough to play for the club, which was an incredible experience, and also coach them alongside Philippe Saint-Andre in 2010,” said Jones.
“So, to be part of the coaching set up again, working alongside Eddie Jones, is just amazing. The beauty of the Barbarians is that you get all those different players who in the past have gone toe-to-toe with each other, but are now in the same changing room.
“There is so much respect for each other in the changing room. No one wants to lose the respect of the man next to him, and everyone brings their ‘A’ game.
“I’ve known Eddie since 2007 and I’ve always got on really well with him. He’s such an open-minded guy and I’m sure I’ll learn as much in a week as I’ve learnt in many.
“It’s always great to see other approaches to coaching, so I’m really excited to do it. It’s a great opportunity and I’m privileged, firstly to work with Eddie, but also to work with a great bunch of players.”
Jones knows that preparing the Barbarians this summer will be a serious test when the World XV – coached by All Blacks legend Steve Hansen – come to London in May.
“I’ve come up against Steve once before, when he came out on top when Canada faced the All Blacks a few years back in the group stages of the Rugby World Cup,” added Jones.
“I know him pretty well from his days in Wales, and it’ll be great to see him. I’m sure that whatever the result, we’ll share a beer in the changing room after the game. He’s someone I have enormous respect for.”
The fixture against the World XV will mark the first return to Twickenham for the Barbarians since a stunning 52-21 victory over England in June 2022. , The world renowned invitational side retained the Killik Cup in November courtesy of a 35-31 win over an All Blacks XV in front of 35,000 people at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Eddie Jones is delighted to have Kingsley Jones on board as he bids to extend that winning run with the Killik Cup on the line.
“We’re extremely motivated to put on a great show in front of a packed house at Twickenham, embracing the values and traditions which make the Barbarians so special,” he said.
“Kingsley is a good rugby man and I’ve no doubt he’ll make a big impact on our group when the Barbarians come together again in May.”
