-
The Barbarians look to make two wins from two when they face Argentina at Twickenham this afternoon: 15:00 kick-off (Sky Sports 2)
-
This game is the first to be played at the South-West London Stadium since the Rugby World Cup final
-
Baa-Baas come into the clash on the back of a 62-14 win against Gloucester on Tuesday
Twickenham plays host to its first game since the Rugby World Cup Final as the Barbarians look for their second successive win when they take on Argentina this afternoon.
Fresh from a 62-14 demolition of a young Gloucester side at Kingsholm earlier this week, the star-studded Baa-baas are in good form and will he hoping to put on an exhibition of expansive rugby at England’s national stadium.
World Cup winner Nehe Milner-Skudder led the way for the world most famous invitational club on Tuesday night and keeps his place in the side.
With Michael Chika heading up the invitational operation, Waisake Naholo, Tevita Kuridrani, Lima Sopoaga and Tawera Kerr-Barlow start in the backline in place of Joe Tomane, Francois Venter, Pat Lambie and Cobus Reinach. Five All Blacks, a Wallaby and a Fijian – as good a back line in any game.
Up front, a new front row comes in with Thomas du Toit and Charlie Faumuina at prop while Wallabies captain Stephen Moore wears the Number 2 jersey.
Victor Matfield and Lood de Jager have kept their places in the second-row with one change coming in the back-row as Scott Fardy comes in for Jarrad Butler, who drops to the bench.
Meanwhile, in the opposing camp, Argentina will be hopeful of continuing their progression after an exceptional World Cup effort, capturing the imagination of the public with an expansive brand of play that ended with a fourth-placed finish as the injuries piled up.
Saturday’s tie sees Julián Montoya, Ramiro Herrera, Matías Alemanno, Javier Ortega Desio, Nicolás Sánchez, Santiago Cordero, Jerónimo De la Fuente and Matías Moroni all stay in the side which started the Rugby World Cup Bronze Final last month.
The fixture will be the first time the Barbarians and Argentina have faced each other since November 1990 when the Barbarians came out narrow 34-22 winners.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Barbarians F.C: Nehe Milner-Skudder
Argentina: Nicolás Sánchez
The mercurial fly-half was immense throughout the Pumas Rugby World Cup campaign, finishing the tournament as the leading points scorer. Sanchez’s impeccable kicking from the tee paired with his pin-point passing makes him one of the key cogs for Argentina.
Barbarians: 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Stephen Hoiles, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Thomas du Toit
Replacements from: 16 James Hanson, 17 Jamie Mackintosh, 18 Toby Smith, 19 Bakkies Botha, 20 Jarrad Butler, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 Francois Venter, 24 Joe Tomane
Argentina: 15 Ramiro Moyano, 14 Matías Moroni, 13 Jerónimo De la Fuente, 12 Santiago González Iglesias, 11 Santiago Cordero, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Martín Landajo (c), 8 Facundo Isa, 7 Javier Ortega Desio, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Matías Alemanno, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Ramiro Herrera, 2 Julián Montoya, 1 Lucas Noguera
Replacements: 16 Santiago Iglesias Valdez, 17 Santiago García Botta, 18 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 19 Tomas Lezana, 20 Leonardo Senatore, 21 Felipe Ezcurra, 22 Gabriel Ascarate, 23 Emiliano Boffelli
Date: Saturday, November 21
Venue: Twickenham
Kick-off: 15:0o GMT
Referee: JP Doyle (England)
Assistant Referees: Tim Wigglesworth (England), Paul Dix (England)
TMO: David Sainsbury (England)