The Barbarians squad for Sunday’s annual clash with England has been announced, with the French national coaching staff opting to mainly select players from their international selection pool.
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The staff, led by France head coach Fabian Galthie, have picked fringe internationals to face England’s youngsters along with some familiar faces like Damien Penaud, Dylan Cretin and of course the now-healthy Charles Ollivon, who will serve as captain.
Other notable inclusions are former England international George Kruis, Australian international Will Skelton and the does-it-all Fijian captain Levani Botia.
Barbarians squad: 15 Max Spring (France, Racing 92), 14 Damien Penaud (France, Clermont), 13 Virimi Vakatawa (France, Racing 92), 12 Tani Vili (France, Clermont), 11 Davit Niniashvili (Georgia, Lyon), 10 Antoine Hastoy (France, Pau), 9 Batiste Couilloud (France, Lyon), 8 Charles Ollivon (France, Toulon, c), 7 Levani Botia (Fiji, La Rochelle), 6 Dylan Cretin (France, Lyon), 5 Will Skelton (Australia, La Rochelle), 4 George Kruis (England, Saitama Wild Knights), 3 Trevor Nyakane (South Africa, Racing 92), 2 Pierre Bourgarit (France, La Rochelle), 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros (France, Toulon)
Replacements: 16 Danny Priso (France, La Rochelle), 17 Christopher Tolofua (France, Toulon), 18 Sipili Falatea (France, Clermont), 19 Thomas Lavault (La Rochelle), 20 Yoan Tanga (France, Racing 92), 21 Nolann Le Garrec (Racing 92), 22 Louis Carbonel (France, Toulon), 23 Sekou Macalou (France, Stade Français), 24 Thomas Laclayat (Oyonnax).
The 32-year-old was capped 45 times by England and played in the 2019 World Cup final, while he won one British and Irish Lions Test cap in 2017.
He also won four Premiership and three Champions Cup titles in 11 years with Saracens, making 185 club appearances before heading to Japan.
Despite numerous offers to return to the Gallagher Premiership, Kruis will now switch fully to his sports nutrition company, Fourfive, which he set up with former Saracens team-mate Dominic Day in 2018.
The company said in a statement: “All of us at fourfive can’t wait to have George with us in the office full-time as we continue on our mission to help people lead healthier, happier lives through the power of CBD and Vitamin supplements.
“We’ve got big plans for the rest of 2022 and plenty for George to get his teeth into.”
The other jobs of England’s best Six Nations rugby players
Here are some of the jobs England’s top players have away from rugby…
#1. JACK NOWELL – CLOTHES & PUB
The England and Exeter Chiefs winger is the co-owner of The Swordfish Inn back in his hometown of Cornwall. Sitting on the harbourfront, the pub has been a favourite of local fishermen, artists and visitors alike for as long as anyone cares to remember and is well-known for its rugged charm and atmosphere. He is also a director of MUSTARD Clothing.
