Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Wales v Barbarians: Eddie Jones to coach Michael Hooper in Cardiff clash

Written by 
Published in Rugby
Tuesday, 31 October 2023 01:33

Eddie Jones and Michael Hooper are set to be reunited when the Barbarians face Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

Jones has stepped down as Australia head coach after failing to reach the World Cup knockout stages, having left out former captain Hooper from his squad in France.

Jones will coach the Barbarians alongside incoming New Zealand boss Scott Robertson.

Ex-Wales flanker Justin Tipuric joins Alun Wyn Jones in the Baa-Baas squad.

Former Wales internationals Jamie Roberts and Mark Jones and 2003 England World Cup winner Will Greenwood will act as Barbarians assistant coaches for the uncapped fixture at the Principality Stadium.

Eddie Jones, who began a second spell in charge of Australia in January, became the first Wallabies coach to fail to reach the World Cup knockout stages.

Their campaign included a record 40-6 defeat against Warren Gatland's Wales side in Lyon.

It has been announced Jones will officially step down on 25 November, but he will work with Australian players in Cardiff this weekend.

These include Hooper, who was not selected for the tournament in France, and Angus Bell, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Andrew Kellaway and Ben Donaldson, who all participated in the World Cup.

The official party will be confirmed on Wednesday when the Barbarians meet up to prepare for the game.

Wales legends return

Tipuric and Alun Wyn Jones announced their international retirements on the same day in May 2023 and this will be an opportunity for one last appearance in Cardiff, albeit against Wales.

Jones, the world's most capped player with 158 internationals for Wales and 12 more Tests for the British and Irish Lions, had already been confirmed in the Barbarians squad. He will be joined by Ospreys captain Tipuric, who played 93 internationals for Wales.

Tipuric will miss Ospreys' United Rugby Championship match against Sharks on Friday night in a home game they have decided to switch to south-west London at Harlequins' ground the Stoop.

The usual ground in Swansea is unavailable because the fixture clashes with a Championship football match on Saturday between Swansea City and Sunderland.

Ospreys are already missing another flanker Jac Morgan who will captain Wales on Saturday afternoon in Cardiff, while defence coach Mark Jones is involved in the Barbarians backroom staff.

The Wales squad includes full-back Leigh Halfpenny who has also announced his international retirement and this will be his last appearance in the red jersey.

The match has controversially been arranged despite the full league programme for the Welsh regions, with a derby between Scarlets and Cardiff taking place on the same day.

It is a fixture clash that interim Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive Nigel Walker admitted was a mistake and said would not happen again.

Barbarians provisional squad to face Wales

Forwards: Asafo Aumua (New Zealand), Tevita Ikanivere (Fiji), Joe Moody (New Zealand), Peni Ravai (Fiji), Angus Bell (Australia), Taniela Tupou (Australia), Api Ratuniyarawa (Fiji), Alun Wyn Jones (Wales), Rob Leota (Australia), Tom Hooper (Australia), Justin Tipuric (Wales), Michael Hooper (Australia), Rob Valetini (Australia).

Backs: Simione Kuruvoli (Fiji), Lautaro Bazan Velez (Argentina), Nicolas Sanchez (Argentina), Izaia Perese (Australia), Selestino Ravutaumada (Fiji), Len Ikitau (Australia), Ilaisa Droasese (Fiji), Ben Donaldson (Australia), Andrew Kellaway (Australia), Shaun Stevenson (New Zealand).

Wales

Forwards: Corey Domachowski (Cardiff), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Elliot Dee (Dragons), Dewi Lake (Ospreys), Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff), Leon Brown (Dragons), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Ben Carter (Dragons), Teddy Williams (Cardiff), Dan Lydiate (Dragons), Jac Morgan (Ospreys, captain) Taine Plumtree (Scarlets), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons).

Backs: Kieran Hardy (Scarlets), Tomos Williams (Cardiff), Sam Costelow (Scarlets), Cai Evans (Dragons), Mason Grady (Cardiff), George North (Ospreys), Johnny Williams (Scarlets), Rio Dyer (Dragons), Leigh Halfpenny (unattached), Tom Rogers (Scarlets).

Read 308 times

Soccer

Arsenal, Palace draw delays Liverpool title party

Arsenal, Palace draw delays Liverpool title party

Jean-Philippe Mateta's wonder goal helped Crystal Palace earn a draw at Arsenal.BEN STANSALL/AFP via...

Miami trades forward Robert Taylor to Austin FC

Miami trades forward Robert Taylor to Austin FC

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsInter Miami CF has traded forward Robert Taylor to Austin FC for $7...

Madrid face Copa crisis as Camavinga, Alaba hurt

Madrid face Copa crisis as Camavinga, Alaba hurt

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCarlo Ancelotti admitted that it will be "difficult" for David Alab...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Chippy series to Rockets' advantage, Udoka says

Chippy series to Rockets' advantage, Udoka says

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsHOUSTON -- The Houston Rockets' 109-94 victory over the Golden Stat...

Mitchell seizes moment, carries Cavs to 2-0 lead

Mitchell seizes moment, carries Cavs to 2-0 lead

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCLEVELAND -- A portion of the Cleveland Cavaliers' success this sea...

Baseball

Crow-Armstrong stays hot vs. hometown Dodgers

Crow-Armstrong stays hot vs. hometown Dodgers

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCHICAGO -- Most players are happy to be done facing the Los Angeles...

Twins say Oliva, Hrbek recovering from strokes

Twins say Oliva, Hrbek recovering from strokes

EmailPrintMINNEAPOLIS -- Two Minnesota Twins greats are recovering from strokes suffered days apart,...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated