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Barbarians welcome Robbie Deans as coach

Robbie Deans will coach the Barbarians for their highly-anticipated matches against Ireland and England XV this season.

The former Australia coach will take charge of the iconic rugby team for the games at Thomond Park on 28 May and Twickenham Stadium on 31 May.

“I count my trips back to the UK as special times in my rugby coaching career and a couple of fixtures against the third and fourth ranked rugby nations in a World Cup year are an exciting prospect,” Deans explains.

“The Barbarians are an iconic team with a special place in rugby’s history and it is a privilege to be invited to be their coach. Their performances against England and Australia last year were outstanding and that is the standard we have to uphold.”

Robbie Deans

Deans also coaches Panasonic in the Japanese Top League, where fly half Berrick Barnes and flanker George Whitelock play this season.

The Barbarians’ 39-29 victory over England last season was followed by last November’s 40-36 defeat at the hands of Australia; one of the club’s best modern performances which included a classic length-of-the-field try finished by Marnitz Boshoff.

Barbarians play Ireland on 28 May and England XV on 31 May – get full ticket details today.

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