ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Tuesday Oct 13, 2020

Young Vunipola to go up against his cousins as trio is added to Barbarians squad to face England

Richard Wigglesworth, Jackson Wray and Manu Vunipola are the latest names to be added to the Barbarians squad for the Quilter Cup match with England at the end of this month.

ADVERTISEMENT

For Vunipola, it represents a chance to go up against cousins Billy and Mako Vunipola on October 25 and concludes a fine breakthrough campaign for the 20-year-old Saracens fly-half, who will no doubt be eager to catch the eye of Eddie Jones.

From a renowned family, with his father Elisi a Tonga international who played at two World Cups, the young half-back has impressed under Mark McCall this season despite the off-field problems at Allianz Park.

“It will be very surreal running out at Twickenham in Barbarians’ Black and White, playing against Mako and Billy,” Vunipola said.

“I’ve had so many amazing rugby influences in my career so far – my dad, obviously my cousins, and some incredible team-mates at Sarries like Owen Farrell. It’s really incredible to think I will be part of a Barbarians squad that will be going up against England in the first international match at Twickenham for nearly eight months. I’m thrilled. I can’t wait.”

Meanwhile, Wigglesworth, who has left Saracens after a successful decade at the north London club, will play at Twickenham for maybe the last time with the former England scrum-half still weighing up his future.

The 37-year-old said: “This feels such a fitting way to bring this season to a close. It will be a real honour to run out in the Black and White against Eddie’s England side. 2019-20 has been a strange and challenging time for us as players, but capping it off by becoming a Barbarian is something I will look back on with great pride.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Flanker Chris Robshaw was confirmed as the first player of Vern Cotter’s group earlier this month and along with Wigglesworth brings a wealth of experience.

Saracens forward Wray, 29, also recently made his 250th club appearance, but Vunipola is at the other end of the spectrum.

RELATED VIEWING:

Video Spacer
ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    South African Kurt-Lee Arendse receives limited...

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Fans outraged by the same thing during Argentina...

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Quade Cooper leaves the field with a nasty...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 1 DAY AGO

    The latest member of the Tuilagi Rugby dynasty dominates in the Top 14 promotion play-off

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Springbok winger with the most athletic non-try of the season

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Jack Crowley drops the ball on dime for brilliant Munster try in URC Final

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: World class offload from James O’Connor Leads To Long Range Reds Try

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster up and running with two incredible tries inside the first five minutes

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Marcos Kremer shown red card for reckless shot on Finn Russell

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Heroic tackle from Spanish 7s player goes viral

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    No sanction handed down by SANZAAR for tackle that left Reds player with a fractured neck

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Cheslin Kolbe Dominates Sebastian Cancelliere with back-to-back big tackles

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Ben Curry's World Cup hopes dashed as he becomes the latest victim of the crocodile roll

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Barbarians Vs World XV highlights

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Silly Skill From Toulouse Fullback Highlights French Confidence

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    Ardie Savea Moment Of Magic In Super Rugby Aotearoa

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    'Armchair athletes' berate Arundell's seriously impressive bench press

  • 17 WEEKS AGO

    Worcester Warriors - The End

View All

Funnies

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Mack Hansen gets Andy Farrell’s face tattooed on leg

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    "Hey Manie oh ah I wanna know if I can block that kick" – Munster's hilarious new song

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Munster Rugby loving life in Cape Town Following URC Final Victory

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: La Rochelle Players Gate Crash O’Gara Interview

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Stade Rochelais Coaches With All-Time Coaches Box Celebration

View All

Amateur

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 45 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 7 HOURS AGO

    Legendary playmaker announces new move

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Horrific footage has emerged of Mohamed Haouas attack on wife

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Mack Hansen gets Andy Farrell’s face tattooed on leg

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    French international receives prison sentence for attack on wife

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    John Afoa breaks record on return to Super Rugby

View All