Paul Williams

Williams gutted by omission from Samoa World Cup side

The 32 year old has played 18 tests, including all four pool matches at the 2011 World Cup, but played for Samoa since 2013.

Head coach Stephen Betham says when they selected the team to play the All Blacks and Pacific Nations Cup on form, Williams had just come back from injury.

The Stade Francais custodian will start for the Barbarians against his countrymen this weekend and says he's still extremely passionate about the game back in the islands.

Paul Williams named in Baabaas team to face Manu Samoa

The Baabaas team includes four World Cup winners - former All Blacks Ali Williams and Adam Thompson and South Africa's Bakkies Botha and Wynand Olivier, and a total of 545 international caps.

Paul Williams played 18 tests for Samoa between 2010 and 2013 and was a part of their 2011 Rugby World Cup squad.

The 32 year old has previous links to Barbarians rugby with his father Bryan having played in a losing All Blacks team against the Baabaas in 1974.