Familiar faces return to the Rec with Barbarians
BATH Rugby legend Matt Banahan is coming out of retirement for one final game at the Rec, but not in Blue, Black and White, but the famous black and white of the Barbarians, writes John Evely.
Banahan spent 12 years at Bath and scored 100 tries in 264 games and will now become a BaaBaa after being invited to be part of their squad later this month for the first meeting between the two clubs since 1994.
The Jerseyman will be joined by another former Bath man as Elliott Stooke is set to become a BaaBaa too after finding himself out of work following Wasps’ collapse, and former Blue, Black and White fly-half Danny Cipriani - although not confirmed - is also expected to be involved.
“I’m absolutely buzzing to be part of such an iconic occasion,” 35-yearold Banahan said. “To play for the Barbarians will be a dream come true and to do it against a club that I love will make the day even more special.
“Games like this don’t come around often for the city so hopefully it’ll be a full Rec and a great atmosphere!”
Second row Stooke made 125 appearances for the Blue, Black and White before departing in 2021.
He will be joined in the Barbarians squad by Springbok Francois Hougaard. Awarded the 2014 International Rugby Players Men’s Try of the Year for a score against the All Blacks, the 34-year-old joins another Southern Hemisphere player already announced in the squad, Damian McKenzie.
A player with more than 40 caps for New Zealand and the Chiefs’ Super Rugby record points scorer, he will add real flair to the Barbarian ranks. Tickets for the game on November 20, (2pm) remain on sale for the match via bathrugby.com