Israel Folau, the former Australian rugby star who was dismissed by Rugby Australia in 2019 due to a “high-level” breach of their code of conduct, is set to join Steve Hansen’s World XV in a match against the Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday, 28 May.
Despite being embroiled in a lengthy dispute with his former employers over a series of anti-gay social media posts, Folau has since played for Catalans Dragons in rugby league and club rugby union in Japan, and has also switched his international allegiance to Tonga.
He made his Tongan debut in 2022 under World Rugby’s new eligibility rules.
Folau will join the likes of Charles Piutau, Ngani Laumape, Marika Koroibete, and Semi Radradra in the World XV backline, while also facing off against Barbarians player Joe Marler, who previously trolled Folau during his controversy.
“Me and him just don’t get on” – Joe Marler reveals why he didn’t like former teammate
Joe Marler, the England prop, is known for expressing his views boldly, particularly when it comes to someone he doesn’t have much affinity for.
#1. Marland Yarde
The winger dramatically left Harlequins in 2017 to join Premiership rivals Sale Sharks in an unusual mid-season move.
I hadn’t spoken to the bloke in 18 months,” Marler told former internationals Andy Goode and Jim Hamilton on The Rugby Pod.
“I’d lost the plot with him a good while ago. And let him be, let him do his own thing, because I’d given up on it
“He’d made the decision that he wanted to leave…you know, all the best to him. I wish him all the best. I don’t wish nastiness upon anyone.
“He’s one of those to just leave, as he won’t change in my mind. Me and him just don’t get on.”