The Barbarians today announced the first four members of their squad for November's contests against three international opponents in the space of seven days.
Australia’s Taqele Naiyaravo, Wycliff Palu and Will Skelton will be joined by New Zealand’s 2011 World Cup winner Andy Ellis (pictured) in the squad for the international fixture against Fiji at the home of Ulster Rugby, Kingspan Stadium, on Friday 11th November (7.30pm).
This game will be the third of the series for the Barbarians, who will also play South Africa for the Killik Cup at Wembley Stadium on November 5th before travelling to take on the Czech Republic in Prague on November 8th.
Coaches Robbie Deans and Will Greenwood will invite more players to join the squad over the coming weeks as the world famous invitation club prepares for its 126th season.
Powerful Waratahs and Panasonic Wild Knights wing Naiyaravoro - a Guinness PRO12 competitor with Glasgow last season - has scored on both his appearances for the Wallabies and returns to the Barbarians after appearing against Samoa in 2015.
Crusaders and Kobelco Steelers scrum half Ellis won the last of his 28 caps in last year’s Rugby Championship and featured for the Barbarians in their 2010 win over South Africa.
Australia No.8 Palu and lock Skelton will become Barbarians No. 4,995 and 4,996 respectively when they make their debuts for the club.
At 6ft 8in and 22st, Skelton will be one of the biggest combatants in the Barbarians' history and won his 16th cap for Australia against New Zealand this year. Palu (Waratahs & Toyota Verblitz) made the last of his 58 international appearances against England in June.
Skelton played for the Wallabies against the Barbarians in 2014, an 11-try classic won by Australia 40-36 that underlined the relevance of the invitational side in the professional era.
The Barbarians last played Fiji in 2013, where the Barbarians recorded a 43-19 victory in a 10-try thriller at Twickenham. Among the try scorers that day for the Baa-Baas was current Ulster and All-Black sensation Charles Piutau.
Tickets to the Barbarians v Fiji at Kingspan Stadium, Belfast, are priced from just £20 for adults and £12 for juniors, and are available to purchase online at www.ulsterrugby.com/buytickets or by calling the Ulster Rugby Ticket Office on (028) 9049 3222. Group bookings and hospitality packages are also available.
PLAYER BIOGRAPHIES:
Taqele Naiyaravoro (Australia)
Position: Wing
Club: Waratahs & Panasonic Wild Knights
Born: 07.12.1991 in Yasawa, Fiji. Age: 24
Tests: 2 Points 10 (2T)
Barbarians v Samoa 2015
Will Skelton (Australia)
Club: Waratahs
Born: 03.05.1992 in Auckland. Age 24
Tests: 16. Points: 10 (2T)
Barbarians debutant
Wycliff Palu (Australia)
Club: Waratahs & Toyota Verblitz
Born: 27.07.1982 in Sydney. Age: 34
Tests: 58 Points: 5 (1T)
Barbarians debutant
Andy Ellis (New Zealand)
Club: Crusaders & Kobelco Steelers
Born: 21.02.1984 in Christchurch. Age: 32
Tests: 28 Points: 20 (4T)
Barbarians v South Africa 2010
Australia’s Taqele Naiyaravo, Wycliff Palu and Will Skelton will be joined by New Zealand’s 2011 World Cup winner Andy Ellis (pictured) in the squad for the international fixture against Fiji at the home of Ulster Rugby, Kingspan Stadium, on Friday 11th November (7.30pm).
This game will be the third of the series for the Barbarians, who will also play South Africa for the Killik Cup at Wembley Stadium on November 5th before travelling to take on the Czech Republic in Prague on November 8th.
Coaches Robbie Deans and Will Greenwood will invite more players to join the squad over the coming weeks as the world famous invitation club prepares for its 126th season.
Powerful Waratahs and Panasonic Wild Knights wing Naiyaravoro - a Guinness PRO12 competitor with Glasgow last season - has scored on both his appearances for the Wallabies and returns to the Barbarians after appearing against Samoa in 2015.
Crusaders and Kobelco Steelers scrum half Ellis won the last of his 28 caps in last year’s Rugby Championship and featured for the Barbarians in their 2010 win over South Africa.
Australia No.8 Palu and lock Skelton will become Barbarians No. 4,995 and 4,996 respectively when they make their debuts for the club.
At 6ft 8in and 22st, Skelton will be one of the biggest combatants in the Barbarians' history and won his 16th cap for Australia against New Zealand this year. Palu (Waratahs & Toyota Verblitz) made the last of his 58 international appearances against England in June.
Skelton played for the Wallabies against the Barbarians in 2014, an 11-try classic won by Australia 40-36 that underlined the relevance of the invitational side in the professional era.
The Barbarians last played Fiji in 2013, where the Barbarians recorded a 43-19 victory in a 10-try thriller at Twickenham. Among the try scorers that day for the Baa-Baas was current Ulster and All-Black sensation Charles Piutau.
Tickets to the Barbarians v Fiji at Kingspan Stadium, Belfast, are priced from just £20 for adults and £12 for juniors, and are available to purchase online at www.ulsterrugby.com/buytickets or by calling the Ulster Rugby Ticket Office on (028) 9049 3222. Group bookings and hospitality packages are also available.
PLAYER BIOGRAPHIES:
Taqele Naiyaravoro (Australia)
Position: Wing
Club: Waratahs & Panasonic Wild Knights
Born: 07.12.1991 in Yasawa, Fiji. Age: 24
Tests: 2 Points 10 (2T)
Barbarians v Samoa 2015
Will Skelton (Australia)
Club: Waratahs
Born: 03.05.1992 in Auckland. Age 24
Tests: 16. Points: 10 (2T)
Barbarians debutant
Wycliff Palu (Australia)
Club: Waratahs & Toyota Verblitz
Born: 27.07.1982 in Sydney. Age: 34
Tests: 58 Points: 5 (1T)
Barbarians debutant
Andy Ellis (New Zealand)
Club: Crusaders & Kobelco Steelers
Born: 21.02.1984 in Christchurch. Age: 32
Tests: 28 Points: 20 (4T)
Barbarians v South Africa 2010