National League Rugby stars ready to add their names to Barbarians history
A whole host of players from National One and National Two will wear the iconic black and white jersey as the famous touring club celebrates historic milestones in Durham and Glasgow. (Photo Credit: John Ashton)
The final whistle has only just been blown on the National League Rugby season, but some of the stars of levels three and four of the English game are already set to swap their club colours for a new look.
While the summer attire of shorts, sunnies and sliders will undoubtedly make an appearance between now and the start of September, over the next two weekends, a whole host of National League names will be pulling on the historic jersey of Barbarians F.C.
The famous touring club have back-to-back fixtures against Durham University RFC (3rd May) and Glasgow Academicals RFC (10th May), which will firstly celebrate DURFC’s 150th anniversary before the Barbarians will mark the 100th anniversary of Scotland’s 1925 Grand Slam success.
Players from across the club game will have the honour of wearing the famous black and white for the fixtures, and will add their names to an illustrious list of players to have represented the Barbarians.
Against Durham this Saturday, recent National Two West champion Shay Sainsbury is set to be part of the squad after clinching the title with Clifton last weekend while the evergreen Joe Makin of National Two North outfit Hull Ionians is also amongst the forwards.
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Josh Bragman, Jasper Cameron, James Cordy-Redden, Jack Digby and Charlie Walker will come into the BaaBaas environment off the back of stellar campaigns with Rosslyn Park in National One, while Lymm scrum-half Callum Morris has been included after the Cheshire club earned a superb third-placed finish in National Two North.
Versatile forward Jack Hill (Barnes) is also in the mix as are Fylde loosehead Corey Bowker and the impressive back-row Joe Hanning, who was a standout performer for Tynedale this term.
The experienced Sale FC duo of Dan Birchall and Fergus Mulchrone will also be part of the squad in the North-East.
Some of the names listed will also be involved in the second fixture up in Glasgow, with a further influx of National League talent taking part.
It means almost 75 per cent of the players involved over the next two weeks have plied their trade in either National One or National Two this term.
The NLR players involved this weekend will also be lining up alongside former Newcastle Falcons Will Welch, Micky Young and Alex Tait as well as Steve Longwell, who has played in the Championship for Jersey Reds and in Major League Rugby with Old Glory DC.
Speaking to the Barbarians website, head coach Alex Keay – who is also the Durham University RFC 150th Coordinator – said: “To celebrate the 150th year of rugby at Durham University, the club is both honoured and proud to become only the fifth university team to take on the world-famous Barbarians. To do so in the North East, where it all began for the renowned wearers of the Black & White shirt (the first game ever was against Hartlepool Rovers in 1890), makes it even more of a privilege.
“Durham University Rugby Football Club is proud to have been at the forefront of university rugby since 1875 and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in the university game, dating back to the foundation of the University in 1832, and has a proud tradition, with many successes in the University UAU, BUSA and BUCS competitions.”
President John Spencer added: “Barbarian F.C. are delighted to help celebrate two important anniversaries in our game.
“The club is renowned for its passion and friendship in the game, and it is important we help celebrate these milestones.
“We will first head to Durham to celebrate the University’s incredible 150-year achievement. The University has a long and proud rugby history, with three former England captains and many Barbarians listed as alumni and we are proud to be part of their celebration.
“A week later, we will celebrate Scotland’s fantastic 1925 Grand Slam success by taking on Glasgow Academicals. The Scotland team of 100 years ago featured former Barbarian F.C. President Herbert Waddell, who was elected to the club’s committee as a player in 1926, so this game holds a close bond for us all.
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“Rugby should be proud of its history and the friendships formed on and off the field. The Barbarians hold a special place in the game for players and supporters, and we are proud to be celebrating these anniversaries.”
The Barbarians vs Durham University fixture kicks off at 3pm at Durham City RFC on Saturday, whilst their game against Glasgow Academicals RFC kicks off at 2pm on May 10th at New Anniesland.
Durham Tickets: https://fixr.co/event/durfc-v-the-barbarians-tickets-231750238
Glasgow Tickets: BarbariansAccies.eventbrite.com
National League Rugby players involved
Forwards v Durham: Dan Birchall (Sale FC – both games), Sam Brady (Harrogate), Jack Hill (Barnes), Shay Sainsbury (Clifton), Corey Bowker (Fylde), Jasper Cameron (Rosslyn Park), Jack Digby (Rosslyn Park – both games), Joe Hanning (Tynedale), Joe Makin (Hull Ionians – both games).
Backs v Durham: Josh Bragman + James Cordy-Redden (Rosslyn Park – both games), + Charlie Walker (Rosslyn Park), Cal Morris (Lymm – both games), Patrick Bishop (Fylde), Olly Walker (Barnes), Fergus Mulchrone (Sale FC).
Forwards v Glasgow: Chris Wearmouth (Tynedale), Tom Stradwick (Blackheath), George Mewburn + James Sanderson (Hull Ionians), Corey Baker (Hornets), Joe Plunkett (Loughborough Students), Oscar Caudle (Tynedale), Tom Baldwin (Blackheath).
Backs v Glasgow: Harry Craven (Chester), Ben Smith + Lewis Minikin (Hull Ionians), Will Owen (Clifton), Chris Preen (Loughborough Students), Will Roberts (Tynedale), Charlie Carter (Hornets), Benji Marfo (Rosslyn Park).
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