Joe Marler named in Barbarians squad to face England as Pat Lam targets successive Twickenham wins
Marler will play against his former national side in an exhibition match on Sunday
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Your support makes all the difference.Joe Marler has been named in the Barbarians squad to face an England XV at Twickenham on Sunday.
The Harlequins and former England prop, who retired from Test rugby last year, is included alongside club-mate and Australia international James Horwill, who will make his final appearance in professional rugby in the game.
Edinburgh's Pierre Schoeman and Gloucester centre Mark Atkinson are among four uncapped players in a 23 representing nine countries under head coach Pat Lam, who masterminded the BaaBaas' record 63-45 victory over England last year.
"We’ve got really good experience across the board and it’s great that there are nine different countries represented,” said Lam.
“We’re also delighted to have James Horwill on board — he’s had a tremendous career at the top of the game and to give him the opportunity to play his last professional game of rugby with us is pleasing.
"Overall we’ve selected experience and size up front, exciting players who can make things happen from nothing, and we have some firepower out wide.
"This is a unique team with quality players and it will only play together this one time. So as per last year, I’ll be setting out to get our preparation right on and off the field to ensure we come together as brothers in a short amount of time to hopefully be a world class team on Sunday.”
Squad in full
Forwards: Joe Marler (Harlequins & England), Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh), John Afoa (Bristol Bears & New Zealand), Finlay Bealham (Connacht & Ireland), David Heffernan (Connacht & Ireland), Richard Hibbard (Dragons & Wales), James Horwill (Harlequins & Australia), Chris Vui (Bristol Bears & Samoa), Steven Luatua (Bristol Bears & New Zealand), Facundo Isa (Toulon & Argentina), Liam Messam (Toulon & New Zealand), Viliame Mata (Edinburgh & Fiji), Francois Louw (Bath & South Africa).
Backs: Rhys Webb (Toulon & Wales), Rhodri Williams (Dragons & Wales), Colin Slade (Pau & New Zealand), Brock James (Bordeaux Begles), Mark Atkinson (Gloucester), Malakai Fekitoa (Toulon & New Zealand), Filipo Nakosi (Toulon), Taqele Naiyaravoro (Northampton Saints & Australia), Niyi Adeolokun (Connacht & Ireland), Charles Piutau (Bristol Bears & New Zealand).
PA
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