Barbarians

The match is an additional to Samoa’s world cup build up and was just confirmed last month after their first game against Japan.

The Manu Samoa squad boasts an impressive lineup with a heavy French accent, with no less than 13 players plying their trade in the Top 14 league. There will also be southern hemisphere club interest too, with the likes of Christian Lealiano and Lima Sopoaga also set to star after making the switch thanks to World Rugby’s new eligibility laws.

The Barbarians side will be coached by Bristol Bears head coach Pat Lam.

Folau, 34, was sacked by Rugby Australia in 2019 for a "high-level" breach of their code of conduct.

He has since switched international allegiance to Tonga and is in line to play at this year's Rugby World Cup.

BBC reports the World XV meet the Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday May 28.

Once one of the world's best full-backs, the dual-code international was embroiled in a lengthy dispute with his former employees after a series of anti-gay social media posts in 2018 and 2019.

A statement released by the Rugby Football Union revealed that four players and two members of staff from the invitational side had tested positive for Covid-19. The scrapping of the game followed last year’s fixture against England being called off after 13 players broke the Covid protocols, leading to widespread condemnation of the players’ behaviour.

11 Wallabies have been named in the 24-man squad for the Killik Cup double-header at Twickenham, with a Barbarians women's side set to face South Africa to kick off proceedings.

Western Force prop Tom Robertson is joined by South African Malcolm Marx and Japan's Shinnosuke Kakinaga in the front-row, with Robertson reverting back to his preferred loose head after switching sides on his Wallabies return.

The clash at Twickenham is the only match to be played from Samoa's original end-of-year tour, with earlier tests against Georgia, Uruguay and Spain cancelled because of Covid-19 travel restrictions.

Head coach Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapusua has selected a balanced squad including ten debutants and a handful of wily veterans.

Veteran lock Joe Tekori will make his swansong appearance for the Manu next Saturday, fresh from scoring a try for the French Barbarians in their win over Tonga.

Samoa head coach Seilala Mapusua played twice for the Barbarians and said it was one of the highlights of his career.

"Their style of rugby gives you the freedom to simply go out and express yourself on the field alongside numerous international superstars of the game so, it is not only a great honour to play for the Barbarians, but a great privilege for the Manu Samoa to play against them too," he said.

The breach arose when players left their hotel rooms and had dinner in a restaurant without the permission of organisers.

Alex Lewington, Fergus McFadden, Juan Pablo Socino, Chris Robshaw, Richard Wigglesworth and Jackson Wray were given five-week suspensions for leaving the team's biosecure bubble twice and giving a false account of events during the RFU investigation.

A largely inexperienced Fijian side produced some magical rugby with man of the match, Fijian Drua flanker John Dyer, scoring a brace of second-half tries to deny England head coach Eddie Jones - who took charge of the Barbarians for the game - a victorious homecoming.

"This is a big win for the boys after not such a good year," said Dyer, referring to Fiji's group stage exit at the World Cup.

The Fijians may largely have their careers in front of them but for two of the Barbarians side their days of glory are coming to an end.

Manawatu prop Samuela Tawake, Northland lock Temo Mayanavanua, Queensland Reds first five Teti Tela and Fijian Drua outside backs Jiuta Wainiqolo and Enele Malele have been selected in the starting fifteen, which includes eight members of the Fijian Drua team that reached the semi finals of the Australian National Rugby Championship.

Another Five Drua players are poised to make their international debut off the bench at Twickenham, along with Edinburgh flanker and former Fiji sevens star Mesulame Kunavula.

Former Ireland skipper Best is calling time on a 15-year senior career after Saturday's match at Twickenham.

It has now been confirmed the 37-year-old will lead Eddie Jones' side, with the England coach having also included three of South Africa's Rugby World Cup winners.

Makazole Mapimpi and loosehead prop Tendai Mtawarira – also making the final appearance of his career – start, with Lukhanyo Am named on the bench.

In total, there are 10 South African players within the 23-man invitational squad.