Former England international Ben Youngs is delighted to be returning to Twickenham Stadium this summer, as the scrum-half prepares to pull on the famous Black and White hoops of Barbarian F.C. for the first time in his career.
The 34-year-old veteran of 127 Test caps for England retired from international duty at the 2023 Rugby World Cup as his country’s most-capped men’s player, but will make a return to HQ in June after being selected by BaaBaas head coach Robbie Deans for a blockbuster clash against Fiji.
The Killik Cup will be on the line on Saturday 22 June (kick-off 3pm), with Deans leading the Barbarians against an all-star Flying Fijians line-up – who set pulses racing on their way to the quarter-finals of the recent Rugby World Cup. General admission tickets are on sale now from www.ticketmaster.co.uk/barbarians, starting from £30* for Adults and £15 for Under-16s.
With five Premiership titles at Leicester Tigers, over a century of England caps (including appearing at four Rugby World Cups in 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023), and a British & Irish Lions tour to Australia (where he was capped twice) all to his name, Youngs’ achievements at club and international level are almost unrivalled.
But this will be the first time the scrum-half has laced up his boots with a Barbarians shirt on his back, and Youngs admits joining the world-famous invitational side was one experience he had yet to check off his bucket list.
“To be invited to play for the Barbarians, and have the opportunity to wear such a prestigious shirt for the first time, is something I have always wanted to do,” said Youngs. “I wasn’t sure whether I would ever get the chance, so of course I was delighted to get the call.
“I’ve played against the BaaBaas a fair few times now for England, usually ahead of a summer tour, so I am well aware of how special it is to be involved in a group like that – and watching from the outside, I always thought that would be a great Club to be a part of for a week, with so many great players I’ve never had the opportunity to play with before.
“There are so many moments of Barbarians history that stick out. Obviously, the Gareth Edwards try against New Zealand will always be in the rugby archives as one of the greatest moments ever, but I remember the BaaBaas beating the All Blacks back in 2009 with the likes of Bryan Habana, Matt Giteau, Joe Rokocoko and George Smith in the team.
“It’s a very special Club and from a player’s point of view, as soon as you get the opportunity to join up, you just say ‘yes, absolutely’ without having to think about it.
“I’m excited to play with some lads that I’ve never played alongside before, but probably lined up against many times. Spending a week with them and building that camaraderie will be awesome.”
Despite hanging up his boots at international level late last year, Youngs is still going strong with club side Leicester Tigers – signing a new contract in December to remain at Welford Road for a 19th season.
The 34-year-old’s 13-year Test career might now be over, but the chance to run out again at the venue where he represented his country for so long was too good for Youngs to miss.
He added: “As an Englishman, anytime you play at Twickenham, it’s an absolute privilege. It’s a stadium that is obviously very dear to me, so I’m grateful to get another opportunity to run out there as you never know when it might be the last time.
“To be able to play for the BaaBaas at Twickenham, in an entertaining game with a festival atmosphere on a summer’s day, in front of a big crowd, is absolutely awesome. It’s an experience I will treasure.”
Barbarian F.C. are the current holders of the Killik Cup, having edged out the World XV 48-42 in last summer’s blockbuster showdown at HQ.
They have faced Fiji four times to date, winning twice in 2013 (coached by Steve Hansen at Twickenham Stadium) and 2016 (coached by Deans at Kingspan Stadium).
But the most-recent meeting between the sides in 2019 ended 33-31 to Fiji, as the Pacific Islanders edged a scintillating ten-try encounter despite the best efforts of a BaaBaas squad packed full of international pedigree – with the likes of Rory Best, Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira, Makazole Mapimpi, André Esterhuizen, Mathieu Bastareaud, Lukhanyo Am, and Morné Steyn all running out at Twickenham.
And when the BaaBaas and Fiji meet this summer, Youngs is confident the sparks will fly between two teams who will be desperate to win, as well as to entertain a bumper Twickenham crowd.
“There’s no question about it; every time you get on the pitch as a rugby player, you do it as a competitor, and as soon as the whistle goes you’re out there to win,” he said.
“That will never change, so while we’re in for a great week with the Barbarians, the main thing is going out there to win and representing that shirt really well.
“So, it should be a fantastic match with some competitive edge against a really strong Fiji side as well. I’m looking forward to it and I’m sure both sides will put on a show for a big crowd at Twickenham.”
General admission tickets are on sale now. Visit www.ticketmaster.co.uk/barbarians to secure your seat, with tickets* starting from £30 for Adults and £15 for Under-16s.
For a 10% discount on groups of 10 or more, please visit www.eticketing.co.uk/rfu/events. Hospitality packages are also available – visit www.twickenhamstadium.com.
*booking fees apply
