Tom Willis is set to line up for the Barbarians this summer after effectively being frozen out of the England setup by head coach Steve Borthwick.
The powerful No.8, who has been in outstanding form in the Premiership and Europe, has not featured in England’s plans despite a string of dominant performances. Sources suggest Willis has been “blacklisted” from the national squad following disagreements over selection and availability earlier in the season.
Now the back-row forward will return to Twickenham in famous black-and-white hoops when the Barbarians face Wales in a blockbuster double-header event at Allianz Stadium on Saturday 27 June 2026.
The historic invitational side confirmed the fixture this week, with both the men’s and women’s Barbarians teams taking on Wales in a summer festival of rugby.
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The men’s match will kick off at 2pm before the Barbarians Women face Wales Women at 5pm in what organisers are billing as one of the biggest end-of-season celebrations of the sport.
Willis’ involvement adds a major storyline to the occasion. The 26-year-old has been one of the Premiership’s standout forwards in recent seasons, renowned for his explosive ball-carrying and breakdown work. Yet despite that form — and England’s ongoing search for physicality in the back row — he has been overlooked by Borthwick’s regime.
His selection for the Barbarians offers the chance for a statement performance on the very stage where England play their home matches.
Barbarian F.C. said the fixture will showcase the “very best of the men’s and women’s game” and deliver the flair and entertainment that has made the club’s matches famous worldwide.
“Barbarian fixtures excite supporters like no other,” organisers said. “Being a double-header encounter will only amplify that with an abundance of tries, flair, courage, passion and end-to-end entertainment on the day.”
Supporters will be able to watch both matches with a single ticket as Twickenham hosts what is expected to be a packed summer crowd.
Tickets are already on sale via Ticketmaster and England Rugby, starting from £40 for adults and £20 for under-16s.
Premium hospitality packages are also available from £179+VAT per person.
With Willis set to feature and Wales providing the opposition, the clash promises both high-level rugby and plenty of intrigue when the Barbarians return to Twickenham this June.
Five players who won’t play for England again under Steve Borthwick
Here are five players who look unlikely to pull on an England shirt again while Borthwick remains in charge.
1. George Ford
The omission of Ford wasn’t subtle.
After back-to-back defeats to Ireland and Scotland, Borthwick didn’t rotate his senior fly-half — he removed him entirely. With Fin Smith handed the reins and the coaching staff doubling down on a refreshed backline, it signalled a strategic shift rather than a temporary tweak.
Ford has been one of England’s most dependable operators over the last decade. But international rugby moves fast, and World Cup cycles move faster. At 30+, he now looks like yesterday’s solution to tomorrow’s problem in the eyes of the current regime.
Could he return in a crisis? Possibly. But coaches rarely pivot away from an established No.10 this decisively unless they’re planning long-term.
Right now, it feels like the page has turned.
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