Argentina’s Juan Manuel Leguizamon will captain a Barbarians side brimming with household names against England at Twickenham on Sunday (June 1).
The Lyon flanker leads a match-day squad drawn from nine different nations with more than 700 international caps between them.
Munster lock Donncha O’Callaghan – making his first appearance in the black and white jersey – heads the squad cap count with 94 for Ireland and four Test appearances for the British & Irish Lions.
Head Coach Dean Ryan has named a physical forward pack featuring powerful Georgia No.8 Mamuka Gorgodze, and an exciting back division that includes New Zealand wings Joe Rokocoko (Bayonne) and Hosea Gear (Toulouse). Clermont fly half Brock James (Clermont) is the only uncapped player in the line-up.
“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.”
There are two late changes to the squad with tight head Davit Kubriashvili (Stade Francais) coming in for injured fellow Georgian Davit Zirakashvili (Clermont) while All Black Anthony Tuitavake (Montpellier) replaces Australia’s James O’Connor (London Irish).
Barbarians v England XV, Sunday, June 1, 3pm
15 Juan Martin Hernandez (Racing Metro & Argentina)
14 Joe Rokocoko (Bayonne & New Zealand)
13 Rene Ranger (Montpellier & New Zealand)
12 Benson Stanley (Clermont & New Zealand)
11 Hosea Gear (Toulouse & New Zealand)
10 Brock James (Clermont)
9 Jimmy Cowan (Gloucester & New Zealand)
1 Sona Taumalolo (Perpignan & Tonga)
2 Ti‘i Paulo (Clermont & Samoa)
3 Davit Kubriashvili (Stade Francais & Georgia)
4 Donncha O’Callaghan (Munster & Ireland)
5 Juandre Kruger (Racing Metro & South Africa)
6 Juan Manuel Leguizamon (Lyon & Argentina, Captain)
7 Alexandre Lapandry (Clermont & France)
8 Mamuka Gorgodze (Montpellier & Georgia)
Replacements
16 Andrew Hore (Maniototo & New Zealand)
17 Julien Brugnaut (Racing Metro & France)
18 Nahuel Lobo (Montpellier & Argentina)
19 Joe Tekori (Toulouse & Samoa)
20 Roger Wilson (Ulster & Ireland)
21 Tomas Cubelli (Belgrano & Argentina)
22 Francois Trinh-Duc (Montpellier & France)
23 Anthony Tuitavake (Montpellier & New Zealand)
