Barbarians call-up for Sam Tomkins

ENGLAND rugby league international Sam Tomkins will switch codes to play for the Barbarians in the invitational team’s match against Australia this weekend.
Weeks after pledging his future to the 13-man game for the next three years following interest by English rugby union clubs, the Wigan Warriors fullback was named in the Barbarians’ 22-man squad for Saturday’s match at Twickenham.

Barbarians commercial director Mike Burton says Monday the team ‘has a tradition of thinking outside the circle when inviting players with league backgrounds.’Wigan has given its approval for Tomkins to play in the match, two days after he featured in England’s 30-8 defeat to Australia in the final of rugby league’s Four Nations tournament.The young rugby league player will complete a unique double by playing against Australia’s elite from both codes on successive weekends. ‘We are delighted that Sam, with the support of the coaches and management at Wigan, has accepted this opportunity to play in such a high-profile union match. The Barbarian club has a tradition of thinking outside the circle when inviting players with league backgrounds, and usually to everyone’s benefit,’ commercial director Mike Burton told the Barbarians’ official website. ‘In recent years the likes of Mat Rogers, Lote Tuqiri, Wendell Sailor and, a few months ago,Willie Mason, have all made a mark when playing for us on the big stage. We are confident that Sam will be equal to the challenge this week.’ The starting XV will be selected from a 22-man squad which promises to be one of the most experienced representative sides ever assembled. The players, drawn from 10 different countries, share an astonishing 1 000-plus test caps between them. Joining the group are Italy’s Mauro Bergomasco (88 caps), Salvatore Perugini (83) and Marco Bortolami (88), France’s Sylvain Marconnet (84), Scotland forward Jason White (77) and former Ireland scrum-half Peter Stringer (98). Sonny Bill Williams has withdrawn because of a hamstring injury and is replaced by another of New Zealand’s Rugby World Cup squad, Richard Kahui. Stephen Jones meanwhile has been withdrawn as he is required by the Scarlets for their PRO12 clash with the Dragons. Barbarians squad: Sam Tomkins (England RL), Bryan Habana (South Africa), Isaia Toeava (New Zealand), Robbie Fruean (Crusaders), Stirling Mortlock (Australia), Richard Kahui (New Zealand), Seru Rabeni (Fiji), Danny Cipriani (England), Peter Stringer (Ireland), Nemia Kenatale (Fiji), Keven Mealamu (New Zealand), Adriaan Strauss (South Africa), Salvatore Perugini (Italy), Sylvain Marconnet (France), Eusebio Guinazu (Argentina), Victor Matfield (South Africa), Simon Shaw (England), Marco Bortolami (Italy), Jason White (Scotland), Jerome Kaino (New Zealand), Adam Thomson (New Zealand), Mauro Bergamasco (Italy).- Nampa-AP

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