Barbarians vow to go on the attack

RUGBY UNION: Head coach Fabien Galthie has promised to uphold the Barbarians’ “precious heritage” as he named his squad for Sunday’s showpiece against England at Twickenham.

Galthie, who led France to a first Six Nations Grand Slam in 12 years in March, will blend youth and experience in a 24man squad dominated by French players and led by Les Bleus skipper Charles Ollivon.

Galthie, who will announce his match-day line-up on Friday, said: “It is an honour to be called upon to select and coach the Barbarians, an institution with strong values rooted in the history of our sport.

“We will share with the selected players this precious heritage: an attacking, adventurous, ambitious way to play that is the mark of the BaaBaas.”

Captain Ollivon is joined by Toulon team-mates Louis Carbonel, Jean-Baptiste Gros and Christopher Tolofua.

International stars include former England and Saracens lock George Kruis, who will return to Twickenham to play his final match, and fellow secondrow, Australian Will Skelton.

Full squad: Levani Botia (Fiji), Pierre Bourgarit (France), Louis Carbonel (France), Batiste Couilloud (France), Dylan Cretin (France), Jean-Baptiste Gros (France), Sipili Falatea (France), Antoine Hastoy (France), George Kruis (England), Thomas Laclayat (France), Thomas Lavault (France), Nolann Le Garrec (France), Sekou Macalou (France), Davit Niniashvili (Georgia), Trevor Nyakane (South Africa), Charles Ollivon (France), Damien Penaud (France), Danny Priso (France), Will Skelton (Australia), Max Spring (France), Yoan Tanga (France), Christopher Tolofua (France), Virimi Vakatawa (France), Tani Vili (France).