Wales Vs the Baa Baa's 2 June 2012

Wales wing legend Shane Williams is set to end his illustrious career in Cardiff by playing for the Barbarians against his own country in June.

The 34-year-old wing retired from international rugby in November as Wales' record try-scorer with 58 in 87 appearances.

Williams, who also won four caps for the British and Irish Lions, had planned to hang up his boots at the end of the season in May with club side the Ospreys, the Welsh region with whom he is set to fill an ambassadorial role following the end of his playing days.

But the Barbarians, rugby union's best-known invitational side, have come calling and Williams has been included in their squad for the non-cap internationals against England at Twickenham (May 27), Ireland at Premiership side Gloucester's Kingsholm ground in south-west England (May 29) and Wales in Cardiff (June 2).

Maes,

Is this a non cap game? I thought it had changed (wrongly) to allow Nuggett his 100th cap.

I feel this is another money making ploy by the WRU that will cheat us fans as its likely to be a 2nd string side with the majority (if not all) of the GS side already out in Oz

How would it be 'cheating' fans if the majority of actual fans know that the main Welsh players will be on tour and the sides are named before the match ?

bedfordwelsh wrote:Maes,

Is this a non cap game? I thought it had changed (wrongly) to allow Nuggett his 100th cap.

Wales have awarded caps against the BaaBaa's for a number of years (I agree wrongly).

munkian wrote:How would it be 'cheating' fans if the majority of actual fans know that the main Welsh players will be on tour and the sides are named before the match ?

Regardless, it's not a test match so test caps shouldn't be awarded IMO.

Which has nothing to do with 'cheating' fans though

munkian,

Cos if you listen to all the radio adds they are selling it as come see the GS hereos

bedfordwelsh wrote:munkian,

Cos if you listen to all the radio adds they are selling it as come see the GS hereos

I was going to say that. Also the majority of welsh international rugby fans probably won't know that the main team will be in Australia, as the majority of welsh international rubgy fans, are not rugby fans at all, but people who like the fact we are doing well and the fact hat they can do some drinking/networking/both and pretend it has something to do with seeing the rugby team play.

There's a joke about Welsh fans being fleeced here but I won't be the one to say it...

I would have hoped they were looking to get the 'tour' off to a winning start at home and going with a starting XV of predominently the GS team/squad with a few others given a taster but looks like it will be a complete 2nd string side.

From what I have heard about selection I would say it is most certainly going to be a second string side. That said it may well give some of the fringe players a good chance to show off what they can do.

The Baabaas will also have Stephen Jones, Dwayne Peel, Shane Wiliams and Josh Navidi to select from. So I guess it will be a nice little 'thanks for the memories' for Jones, Peel and Shane.

SS,

I agree it a great way for our 3 old boys to go out but would it have been more fitting to go out against the squad (Peel aside) that they have been involved with for the past few years and maybe in front of a bigger crowd.

It would be fitting to go out against their peers, howver I thinkt he stadium will be full, as like I said most people who go to the MS don't really have a clue whats going on, and who is in the squad on form/merit. They will probably still think its the first choice side.

IMO the full Welsh team needs a run out before Aus and this is the opportunity to do that. It worked to Australia's benefit back in December.

Bedford mate

I notice this kinda marketing really gets your goat. I am sorry it bothers you so, I personally don't find it an issue, its just modern marketing. Its a game of rugby... There are two greats of the WElsh game who have won two GS's already confirmed injury permitting. So it is hardly untrue what the radio is saying.

Its just modern advertising, that's the way it is... I am sure it would be a sell out no matter how the marketing guys want to push it...!

Morgannwg wrote:IMO the full Welsh team needs a run out before Aus and this is the opportunity to do that. It worked to Australia's benefit back in December.

Morg they have a brumbies game pre first test in Aus i think mate?

That game in Canberra is after the first test according to the BBC. It would be handy if it was first up though.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/18013992

The SH teams are at an advantage because the S15 prepares all of their players for international rugby.

Oh OK... Hadnt seen the calendar.

Morgannwg wrote:That game in Canberra is after the first test according to the BBC. It would be handy if it was first up though.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/18013992

The SH teams are at an advantage because the S15 prepares all of their players for international rugby.

How so ?

Morgannwg wrote:The SH teams are at an advantage because the S15 prepares all of their players for international rugby.

International...technically, yes because we are playing teams from other nations but don't confuse that with test match rugby. There's still a very big step up from Super Rugby to proper International test match rugby.

I agree with Bedford, the game was sold as a warm up for the Aus tests, then after the majority of the tickets sold, suddenly it is a second team will be playing. I understand if the Ospreys players needing a rest if they get to the play off's but there are a number of the team returning from injury that could do with a game prior to taking on Aus. I don't think this game should be a capped game, it is more of a testimonial game. Supporters that bought tickets before this news coming out should be offered their money back as this game is a scam!

I believe the team for Aus tour is set for Monday.

Because it groups their best club players from clubs/provinces together into Franchises that play high level rugby whilst adapting to different cultures and time zones. The best of these four or five teams then come together to train and play for their national team in these tours before competing in the Tri-nations (now a four nations).

Full Credit wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:The SH teams are at an advantage because the S15 prepares all of their players for international rugby.

International...technically, yes because we are playing teams from other nations but don't confuse that with test match rugby. There's still a very big step up from Super Rugby to proper International test match rugby.

Teams in the Rabbo and Heino are playing teams from other nations too though so don;t really see the difference. Plus the games in the S15 look more like Baa Baas games with the game left to flow rather than hard hitting rucks and mauls

munkian wrote:

Full Credit wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:The SH teams are at an advantage because the S15 prepares all of their players for international rugby.

International...technically, yes because we are playing teams from other nations but don't confuse that with test match rugby. There's still a very big step up from Super Rugby to proper International test match rugby.

Teams in the Rabbo and Heino are playing teams from other nations too though so don;t really see the difference. Plus the games in the S15 look more like Baa Baas games with the game left to flow rather than hard hitting rucks and mauls

In which case the Baa Baa's match might have been useful...!

Oh well it is what it is...!

munkian wrote:

Full Credit wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:The SH teams are at an advantage because the S15 prepares all of their players for international rugby.

International...technically, yes because we are playing teams from other nations but don't confuse that with test match rugby. There's still a very big step up from Super Rugby to proper International test match rugby.

Teams in the Rabbo and Heino are playing teams from other nations too though so don;t really see the difference. Plus the games in the S15 look more like Baa Baas games with the game left to flow rather than hard hitting rucks and mauls

That very much depends who's refereeing it.

"Caretaker coach Rob Howley announces his 38/39 man squad for the summer on Monday (will be reduced further later) - but which players have caught your eye at regional level that should make the step up, starting with the Barbarians game?"

WRU

Hughes

Yes Martyn Williams is going to get his elusive 100th cap.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17992775

He deserves it, and only having 99 would be so annoying...

munkian wrote:Hughes

Its a good call. He deserves a chance...

Got my tickets for 26 quid which kind of reflects the nature of the game, doesn't it? IMO its a Welsh side full stop and I'm looking forward to seeing our strength in depth. I'm also looking forward to a valedictory farewell to Stephen Jones he's been very solid for us over the years. It's neat too if he's in harness with Dwayne Peel too and always great to see Shane on the pitch. I think the cap thing is all a bit overheated its a mark of respect for a player's skill and application against top class and international opposition. Go Wales!