Barbarians confident that England match will go ahead after assembling new 23-man squad
The Barbarians are confident that their game against England at Twickenham on Sunday will go ahead after re-assembling a new 23-man squad at short notice after 12 players were expelled from their camp for breaching Covid-19 protocols, Telegraph Sport understands.
It is understood that Premiership Rugby have agreed to release eight players, including Bristol’s Max Malins, who were already in a bio-secure environment with a wider England training squad, to play in the match for the Barbarians. Harlequins prop Simon Kerrod is also included in those eight players, having already been released from the England squad to represent the Barbarians.
PRL officials worked late on Thursday night to secure agreement from the Premiership clubs to overturn a previous decision not to release players for the fixture because of the workload of the season following the restart in August.
Cardiff Blues have confirmed that back-rower Will Boyde, full-back Ioan Davies and centre Max Llewellyn, Wales Under-20 internationals who have only made a handful of first-team appearances between them, have also been drafted into the squad for Twickenham
While it is understood that two players from Newport are also on their way to London to join up with Vern Cotter’s squad.
The Barbarians are certain all the new players are Covid-safe but the final decision for the game to go ahead will be taken by Rugby Football Union medical experts this afternoon.
“As far we know the game is on,” John Spencer, the Barbarians president, told Telegraph Sport.
“We are working very hard with the RFU to find substitute players who are acceptable and Covid-tested and I have got to say the RFU could not have been more helpful.
“We were very appreciative of that. We are optimistic the game will go ahead. We think we have got a full squad but they are not all in camp yet.”
The RFU has also launched an investigation into the breach of coronavirus protocols by the 12-strong group of players, including Chris Robshaw, Richard Wigglesworth and Sean Maitland, who placed Sunday's match in doubt after leaving the team hotel in central London on Wednesday night to have dinner.
It is understood that the RFU has already begun looking into the breach with a view to summoning anyone at fault before an independent disciplinary panel under the catch-all charge of bringing the game into disrepute.
The Barbarians insist they did everything possible to make the players know of their responsibilities including signing a Covid protocol pack.
“Our priority is the welfare and health of the rest of the boys in our party as we were absolutely adamant that they shouldn’t be put at risk and would comply with the Covid regulations and also the health of the players in the England party,” Spencer added.
“We can’t afford to risk all these things and we know we can’t. There is no argument in that, it is our priority. But we would like the game to go ahead because it is a privilege for our guys to play against a tier one match and we want to help the England team prepare for the Six Nations, we are quite happy to contribute that.”
