The Barbarians visit Twickenham for the first time in more than three years on Sunday, but ex- England prop David Flatman believes the hosts should be more than equal to the threat.
Fabien Galthie—the man who recently led France to their first Six Nations title in 12 years—will coach what Flatman dubbed a team of "Top 14 All-Stars." European champions La Rochelle, Lyon, Racing 92 and Toulon have contributed extensively to the squad, with players from Toulouse, Montpellier, Bordeaux and Castres unavailable while the Top 14 play-offs are ongoing.
In fact, the retiring George Kruis is the only player based outside France picked to face his old team-mates, though technically a free agent after ending his time in Japan with Saitama Wild Knights. Flatman highlighted the 'magic' sprinkled throughout Galthie's selection before adding England's superior organisation means their guests "shouldn't be able to live with them."
"It's a serious team. It is a serious, serious team," emphasised the 42-year-old, who will form part of Amazon Prime's commentary team for Sunday's showdown. He reels off the Baa Baas' 13-14-15 combination of Virimi Vakatawa, Damian Penaud and Max Spring as another epicentre of potential concern for England, just one aspect of a squad that has 'danger' written all over it.
"Incredibly exciting," he gushes, proceeding to list more of those names he believes will trouble Eddie Jones & Co. the most. "[Baptiste] Couilloud at nine's a lovely player. Charles Ollivon, the most attractive man in world rugby. [Levani] Botia—a freakshow. [Dylan] Cretin, very close to world class. Pierre Bourgarit is a joke over the ball, I'm not sure there's anyone better.
"So it's just an outrage, that line-up. But England just have to hope. . .that the Baa Baas are on the piss." Former Saracens and Bath prop Flatman—who was called up for the ceremonial tour team on several occasions but couldn't attend—may be left hoping in that regard.
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Similar to Galthie, England chief Jones will not be able to call on players from Saracens or Leicester Tigers given their attentions are focused on Saturday's Premiership final. A number of Harlequins and Northampton Saints players joined up with the squad following defeats in last weekend's semis.
With a tour of Australia around the corner and little more than a year the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, many among England's camp will see Sunday's match as a chance to curry favour with selectors. Swathes of fans would agree none deserve that opportunity more than Quins scrum-half Danny Care, who could make his first appearance in England white since November 2018.
"He's the best scrum-half in England, everyone knows that," asserts Flatman, who aligns with those bemused by Care's international exile of almost four years. Both he and Saints star Alex Mitchell have been added to England's squad late and would fly to Australia later this month if it were up to Flatman, who earned the last of his eight Test caps in 2002.
One rumour doing the rounds of late supposed Care has been picked simply so that he's unavailable for Baa Baas selection and so won't have a chance to embarrass the Red Rose. There's nothing to suggest more than speculation, but Flatman wouldn't be surprised if there was at least an element of truth.
It's not just the 'outsiders' who have a point to prove, however, with changes likely for England following a second straight Six Nations in which they've won just two of five games. London Irish full-back Henry Arundell is one particular prospect who could spark change for the better and sticks out to Flatman as the one uncapped selection most worth watching.
Kruis in particular will hope to make an impact against some familiar faces, with the Barbarians out to produce their first win at Twickenham since 2018 when they came out on top of a 63-45 blockbuster. It may not be competitive as far as Test caps are concerned, but it would be folly to think England's stars won't have anything to play for at Headquarters.
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