England stars bulk up stellar Barbarians side
Some of the biggest names in England women's rugby history will make their Barbarians’ debuts against their former side at Twickenham June 2.
Published by Alison Donnelly, May 21st, 2019
3 minute read
Full back Danielle Waterman, fly half Ceri Large, lock Tamara Taylor and prop Laura Keates were all World Cup winners in 2014 and have 309 Test appearances between them.They are part of an eight-strong England contingent in the stellar Barbarians squad containing international greats from eight different nations. New Zealand’s Anna Richards coaches the side assisted by Wales’s Liza Burgess.The others England players include the world’s most-capped women’s player Rochelle Clark, who made her debut for the Baa-baas against the USA last month alongside Heather Kerr, and they are joined by more new teammates in scrum half Georgina Gulliver and wing Emily Wood.The sides meet at Twickenham at 12:45 on June 2 as part of a historic double header with the men’s match for the Quilter Cup kicking off at 15:30.The Barbarians defeated the USA 34-33 in Denver last month and nine of the starting line-up at Glendale return, including Wales fly half Elinor Snowsill and wing Jasmine Joyce, who scored four tries against the Women’s Eagles.New Zealand’s Linda Itunu captained that side and the No.8 returns with four other Black Ferns’ World Cup winners in hooker Fiao’o Fa’amausili, flanker Justine Lavea, prop Steph Te Ohaere-Fox, and centre Kristina Sue.In line with the club’s traditions, the Barbarians also include two exciting uncapped players in centre Kayla Ahki and wing Tova Derk.Centre Ahki was an Olympic Sevens star with New Zealand and made her Barbarians debut against the British Army in 2018.Swedish sevens player Derk featured against Munster in 2017 and against the USA last month.There are 12 representatives from Tyrrell’s Premier 15s clubs including Saracens title winners Gulliver and Hannah Casey.BARBARIANS SQUADForwardsRochelle Clark (Wasps & England) 137 capsDalena Dennison (Warringah & Australia) 12Fiao’o Fa’amausili (Auckland Marist & New Zealand) 57Carmen Farmer (Glendale & USA) 11Linda Itunu (Ponsonby & New Zealand) 40Laura Keates (Worcester Valkyries & England) 60Heather Kerr (Darlington MP & England) 16Justine Lavea (Ardmore Marist & New Zealand) 34Claire Malloy (Wasps & Ireland) 69Gaelle Mignot (Montpellier & France) 70Tamara Taylor (Darlington MP & England) 115Steph Te Ohaere-Fox (Christchurch & New Zealand) 25BacksKayla Ahki (Unattached) 0Hannah Casey (Saracens & Ireland) 7Tova Derk (Wasps) 0Georgina Gulliver (Saracens & England) 37Jasmine Joyce (Worcester Valkyries & Wales) 15Kristina Sue (Manawatu Cyclones & New Zealand) 15Ceri Large (Gloucester Hartpury & England) 52Sene Naoupu (Old Belvedere & Ireland) 34Elinor Snowsill (Bristol Bears & Wales) 52Danielle Waterman (Wasps & England) 82Emily Wood (Gloucester Hartpury & England) 4