Mike Brown added to an already STACKED Barbarians squad
- 2385
Mike Brown returns to the Stoop on 17 November when the Barbarians tackle Harlequins.
Harlequins confirmed the new on the website stating: 'the Club is delighted to welcome back club record appearance holder Mike Brown to The Stoop.'
Speaking to the Club's website Brown expressed his excitement to return to the Stoop and revealed that Harlequins offered the fullback the chance to pull the Famous Quarters' jersey against the Barbarians.
“I can’t wait to return home to The Stoop and to run out in front of our supporters once more. The Club kindly offered that I could play for Harlequins but I hold pulling on the Quins shirt as a huge honour and for that reason it wouldn’t feel right taking that away from someone in the current squad who’s earnt it. It will feel strange to go toe to toe with my old team mates and friends once more but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent the Barbarians at my former home and it will be a very special evening.” Brown said.
Several players from Worcester Warriors and Wasps will be added to the squad as the Barbarians look to support the rugby family by including some players affected by the recent challenges at both clubs.
Wasps and Springbok scrum-half Francois Hougaard will don the famous Black and White jersey and will be joined by former teammate and Irish international prop John Ryan.
Englishmen Jacob Umaga and Dan Robson will also join the Barbarians from Wasps for the match and will offer notable experience in English conditions for the match. Representation from Worcester Warriors will be confirmed shortly.
Two Welsh favourites in Aaron Wainwright and Rhys Webb will line up alongside recent Champions Cup winners Brice Dulin and Tawera Kerr-Barlow.
Both Dulin and Kerr-Barlow were part of the 2021/22 squad that resulted in a first-ever Champions Cup win for Les Maritimes – under Head Coach Ronan O’Gara, who is joining forces with former Crusaders' colleague Scott Robertson to take charge of the Barbarians this November.
With the full squad set to be announced in the coming days, a number of well-known international names have already been confirmed for the famous invitational side.
Barbarian favourite Joe Marler will return to the Barbarians squad alongside Harlequins teammate Joe Marchant against the All Blacks XV.
France will again be well-represented, with Camille Chat, Wenceslas Lauret and Teddy Thomas also lining up in the Black and White.
Montpellier star Zach Mercer, who last season won a Top 14 title with the French side, will be returning to England for the Killik Cup.
New Zealand’s George Bridge – who will soon be heading to Mercer’s club Montpellier in France – already has a Barbarians appearance alongside his 18 caps for the All Blacks, turning out against England in 2019.
The Barbarians squad so far:
George Bridge
Mike Brown
Camille Chat
Brice Dulin
Francois Hougaard
Tawera Kerr-Barlow
Wenceslas Lauret
Joe Marchant
Joe Marler
Zach Mercer
Dan Robson
John Ryan
Teddy Thomas
Jacob Umaga
Aaron Wainwright
Rhys Webb