Over the last couple of weeks, many stars of the 2024/25 season have been a part of the Barbarians squad – and according to their head coach, they all seem to be relishing the experience of representing the historic club. (Photo Credit: John Ashton)

Original interview taken from talkingrugbyunion.co,uk

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The fervour, excitement and tension generated by Thursday’s announcement of the British and Irish Lions squad is exactly why so many people love this sport.

‘Who gets a spot on the plane to Australia? Who will be left behind?’ Some in the media even labelled the afternoon as one of the best days in the rugby calendar.

With the squad now named, it is all starting to feel real with the Lions’ first Test against the Wallabies just 10 weeks away but while one historic touring team hurtles towards their preparations for this summer, another has already kicked off their 2025 schedule.

Last Saturday, the Barbarians played the first of their two matches in May to help celebrate two major milestones for Durham University and Scotland, respectively.

The BaaBaas faced Durham to celebrate their 150th anniversary, but it was the visitors who came away from the North-East triumphant following a 54-33 victory.

And this coming Saturday, they are further north to mark the 100th anniversary of Scotland’s 1925 Five Nations Grand Slam success by taking on Glasgow Academicals RFC.

“It is an amazing experience, it is very special,” says Alex Keay, who is head coach of the BaaBaas for these fixtures.

“I think we saw last week that those lads involved really appreciated the honour and privilege of playing for the Barbarians.

“The weather has been unbelievable and that has allowed us to play some really good rugby, and seeing the response of the players has been absolutely remarkable.

“They have bought into everything we have asked them to buy into and ended up last week delivering a good performance and a good win.”

Grabbing the headlines was current Rosslyn Park winger Charlie Walker, the former Harlequins flyer running in a hat-trick against the BUCS Super Rugby outfit, whilst National Two North trio Sam Brady (Harrogate), Corey Bowker (Fylde) and Tynedale’s Joe Hanning were also amongst the tries.

Last Saturday’s squad also included ex-Newcastle Falcons Alex Tait, Micky Young and Will Welch, but the majority of both teams which have been pieced together by Keay and his coaching staff have come from the National Leagues.

“At the end of the day, you don’t get many chances to play in these games,” adds Keay. “Yes, they [the National League players] have had a long seasons [26-game campaigns] but when you get these opportunities, lads find another super-charger in them, especially when it feels like this could be a once-in-a-lifetime thing to say you represented the BaaBaas.

“As I said before, the buy-in from them has been brilliant. It is interesting because last week’s squad is pretty different to this week’s but again, when we have been training this week, things have clicked quickly. By Saturday, you are almost like clubmates!

“When you put these lads together who have played Nat 1, Nat 2 like that, when they are some of the better players in those leagues, you are going to come out with a pretty decent team!

“Some of these guys have given up four days this week to be here and for those lads involved last week, they have doubled that and that speaks volumes.”

Six players – Sale FC’s Dan Birchall, Rosslyn Park’s Josh Bragman, James Cordy-Redden and Jack Digby, Joe Makin of Hull Ionians and Callum Morris of Lymm – will have been part of both squads, while a fresh influx of National One and National Two faces are gearing up for this weekend.

Tynedale’s Chris Wearmouth – who recently made his 400th National League Rugby appearance – is amongst the forwards to take on Glasgow Academicals – while National Two North’s top points scorer Lewis Minikin and recent National Two West champion Will Owen (Clifton) are a couple of names to look out for in the backs.

Whilst this experience has been – and will continue to be – a memorable one for the players, being part of the environment has been special for Keay too.

Keay represented the BaaBaas as a player in 1986 against Penarth and Swansea, but his long and successful affiliation with Durham has only added to the occasion.

“Last week was obviously incredibly special,” Keay, who guided the Palatinate to five BUCS Championship titles and two BUCS Super Rugby league crowns during his time in the North-East, reflects.

“I had an amazing time at Durham. I had a great coaching journey and can’t speak highly enough of the university, the players, the coaches who are there like Si Culley, Nes [Gareth Nesbitt], Tom Catterick. They have been a big part of my life since 2010 when I started at Durham and finished a couple of years ago.

“It was a bit surreal and weird coaching against Durham! I went the wrong way into the changing rooms to start with! In that respect, there was a bit of romance to it.

“Joking aside, the atmosphere was great, we had alumni turn out and I don’t think Durham could have celebrated that 150 any better.”

For Keay, being in charge of the Barbarians is one final thing to add to his illustrious rugby CV, admitting the last few weeks haven’t given him the taste to return to full-time coaching.

Instead, exactly like what is to come for the British and Irish Lions this summer, he is determined for everyone involved with the BaaBaas to enjoy the experience and reinforce their love for the sport.

“The way we play, the experience, the friendships, the fun, isn’t that what rugby is about?” Keay concludes. “This has just refreshed that a little bit. It makes you feel really proud to be a part of it.

“Rugby needs these sorts of things to happen to get people to understand what it is supposed to be about. What are the values of rugby? We can talk discipline and all that and yes, it is important, but that can be outweighed by having fun and that enjoyment side of things, and I am sure that will be the case this Saturday.”

Barbarians squad to face Glasgow Academicals 

Forwards: 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), Pete Altham (Fylde), Fred Davies + Jasper McGuire (Doncaster), Marcus Rhodes (Durham University).

Backs: 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).

Coaches: Alex Keay, Si Culley, Brian Ashton.

Team Manager: Stuart Darby

TICKET DETAILS

Saturday 10th May, KO 14.00
New Anniesland

Tickets: BarbariansAccies.eventbrite.com
Students: £10, General Admission: £20, Grandstand: £35