WALES v BARBARIANS Where: Millennium Stadium When: Saturday, 31 May Kick-off: 1500 BST |
Wales have promised to enter into the traditional spirit of Barbarians matches when rugby's most prestigious club side comes to Cardiff on Saturday. Coach Steve Hansen says he wants to give the Welsh rugby public a scintillating try fest as a turbulent season on and off the field comes to an end.
"We've taken the attitude that Barbarians-Wales games are traditionally open style affairs," Hansen told BBC Sport.
"We'll certainly be entering into the soul of that and looking to appease everyone who comes to watch. We'll try to score lots of tries."
The Barbarians have racked up 40 points in both of their previous wins over Wales at the Millennium Stadium, and they look in fine fettle again.
They opened up this month's mini tour of Britain by ending England's long unbeaten run at Twickenham, and then ran in four tries in their mid-week win over Scotland.
 Winning is always important because it helps the confidence |
So Hansen realises his side have their work cut out to secure a first win in seven matches. "There are some quality players in the Barbarians squad," Hansen said.
"Alan Solomons (coach) has obviously got them firing very well. He's put some work into the organisation of the side and they've done very well."
Solomons delayed naming his side until Friday after assessing the extent of a few niggling injuries to players who played at Murrayfield.
Mark Connors, the Northampton Saints and Australia lock, will captain the side.
Wales will give debuts to Neath prop Adam Jones and Leeds back-rower Alix Popham, but Hansen has otherwise chosen his strongest possible side to try to ensure a positive result.
 Popham has been given a chance at number eight |
He said: "Winning is always important because it helps the confidence. The key thing, and I've said this numerous times, is how we perform within winning or losing. "Sometimes you can win and play poorly but learn nothing from it."
He added: "We want to unearth a couple of new players, work on new patterns of play we're trying to introduce and just get some continuity.
"It also gives us a chance to give people some rugby. Colin Charvis and Robin McBryde haven't played for quite some time.
"So the match is very important from a team point of view and from a Welsh rugby point of view. I think we could do with some good news."
Hansen is also eager to give Neil Jenkins a fitting farewell. Test rugby's record points scorer will make his 100th and final appearance for Wales on Saturday.
"It's a big opportunity for the Welsh public to come and say 'thank you'," said Hansen.
"He's played more games for Wales than anyone else and won more than he's lost. That in itself is a great record and he needs to be sent off in style."
Wales: Garan Evans (Llanelli); Gareth Thomas (Bridgend), Mark Taylor (Llanelli), Iestyn Harris (Cardiff), Rhys Williams (Cardiff); Stephen Jones (Llanelli), Dwayne Peel (Llanelli); Iestyn Thomas (Llanelli), Robin McBryde (Llanelli), Adam Jones (Neath), Vernon Cooper (Llanelli), Gareth Llewellyn (Neath), Colin Charvis (Swansea), Martyn Williams (Cardiff, capt), Alix Popham (Leeds).
Replacements: Mefin Davies (Pontypridd), Ben Evans (Cardiff), Gareth Delve (Bath), Chris Wyatt (Llanelli), Mike Phillips (Llanelli), Neil Jenkins (Pontypridd), Tom Shanklin (Cardiff).
Barbarians: P Montgomery (Newport & South Africa); A Tuilevu (Otago & Fiji), C Stoica (Castres & Italy), D Gibson (Bristol & New Zealand), B Reihana (Northampton & New Zealand); F Contepomi (Bristol & Argentina), M Robinson (Auckland Blues & New Zealand); O le Roux (Natal Sharks & South Africa), M Sexton (Ulster), F Tournaire (Leicester & France), R Strudwick (London Irish), M Connors (Northampton & Australia, capt), S Harding (Otago Highlanders & New Zealand), O Magne (Montferrand & France), AJ Venter (Natal Sharks & South Africa).
Replacements: R Ibanez (Castres & France), A Garvey (Newport & South Africa), M Galwey (Munster & Ireland), S Phelan (Club Athletico San Isidro & Argentina), D Edwards (London Irish), M Perry (Bath & England), S Staniforth (NSW Waratahs & Australia).
Ref: Dave Pearson (England)
Touch judges: Steve Leyshon (England), Robin Goodliffe (England)
Third official: Hugh Watkins (Wales)
MMIX
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