Wales v Barbarians: Eddie Jones to coach Michael Hooper in Cardiff clash

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Eddie Jones with Michael Hooper during a news conference
Eddie Jones (left) made Michael Hooper one of Australia’s co-captains when he returned as head coach

Eddie Jones and Michael Hooper are set to be reunited when the Barbarians face Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

Jones has stepped down as Australia head coach after failing to reach the World Cup knockout stages, having left out former captain Hooper from his squad in France.

Jones will coach the Barbarians alongside incoming New Zealand boss Scott Robertson.

Ex-Wales flanker Justin Tipuric joins Alun Wyn Jones in the Baa-Baas squad.

Former Wales internationals Jamie Roberts and Mark Jones and 2003 England World Cup winner Will Greenwood will act as Barbarians assistant coaches for the uncapped fixture at the Principality Stadium.

Eddie Jones, who began a second spell in charge of Australia in January, became the first Wallabies coach to fail to reach the World Cup knockout stages.

Their campaign included a record 40-6 defeat against Warren Gatland’s Wales side in Lyon.

It has been announced Jones will officially step down on 25 November, but he will work with Australian players in Cardiff this weekend.

These include Hooper, who was not selected for the tournament in France, and Angus Bell, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Andrew Kellaway and Ben Donaldson, who all participated in the World Cup.

The official party will be confirmed on Wednesday when the Barbarians meet up to prepare for the game.

Wales legends return

Both Justin Tipuric and Alun Wyn Jones have captained Ospreys and Wales
Both Justin Tipuric and Alun Wyn Jones have captained Ospreys and Wales

Tipuric and Alun Wyn Jones announced their international retirements on the same day in May 2023 and this will be an opportunity for one last appearance in Cardiff, albeit against Wales.

Jones, the world’s most capped player with 158 internationals for Wales and 12 more Tests for the British and Irish Lions, had already been confirmed in the Barbarians squad. He will be joined by Ospreys captain Tipuric, who played 93 internationals for Wales.

Tipuric will miss Ospreys’ United Rugby Championship match against Sharks on Friday night in a home game they have decided to switch to south-west London at Harlequins’ ground the Stoop.

The usual ground in Swansea is unavailable because the fixture clashes with a Championship football match on Saturday between Swansea City and Sunderland.

Ospreys are already missing another flanker Jac Morgan who will captain Wales on Saturday afternoon in Cardiff, while defence coach Mark Jones is involved in the Barbarians backroom staff.

The Wales squad includes full-back Leigh Halfpenny who has also announced his international retirement and this will be his last appearance in the red jersey.

The match has controversially been arranged despite the full league programme for the Welsh regions, with a derby between Scarlets and Cardiff taking place on the same day.

It is a fixture clash that interim Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive Nigel Walker admitted was a mistake and said would not happen again.

Barbarians provisional squad to face Wales

Forwards: Asafo Aumua (New Zealand), Tevita Ikanivere (Fiji), Joe Moody (New Zealand), Peni Ravai (Fiji), Angus Bell (Australia), Taniela Tupou (Australia), Api Ratuniyarawa (Fiji), Alun Wyn Jones (Wales), Rob Leota (Australia), Tom Hooper (Australia), Justin Tipuric (Wales), Michael Hooper (Australia), Rob Valetini (Australia).

Backs: Simione Kuruvoli (Fiji), Lautaro Bazan Velez (Argentina), Nicolas Sanchez (Argentina), Izaia Perese (Australia), Selestino Ravutaumada (Fiji), Len Ikitau (Australia), Ilaisa Droasese (Fiji), Ben Donaldson (Australia), Andrew Kellaway (Australia), Shaun Stevenson (New Zealand).

Wales

Forwards: Corey Domachowski (Cardiff), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Elliot Dee (Dragons), Dewi Lake (Ospreys), Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff), Leon Brown (Dragons), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Ben Carter (Dragons), Teddy Williams (Cardiff), Dan Lydiate (Dragons), Jac Morgan (Ospreys, captain) Taine Plumtree (Scarlets), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons).

Backs: Kieran Hardy (Scarlets), Tomos Williams (Cardiff), Sam Costelow (Scarlets), Cai Evans (Dragons), Mason Grady (Cardiff), George North (Ospreys), Johnny Williams (Scarlets), Rio Dyer (Dragons), Leigh Halfpenny (unattached), Tom Rogers (Scarlets).

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