Picture Essay: The Barbarians

The team line up for a photo opportunity Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

Joe Rokocoko has his portrait taken while Justin Marshall looks on Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

Marshall looks on as the team change for training at Blackheath Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

A tradition of the Barbarians is that the players wear their own club socks. Rokocoko was provided with a pair (and honourary membership of Blackheath Rugby Club) as he had forgotten to bring his Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

Irish coach Eddie O'Sullivan issues orders at Blackheath Rugby Club Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

The backs practise at Blackheath, scrum-half Marshall passes to Giteau with Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Jason Robinson outside him Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

Scrum practice with the forwards, left to right, Salesi Ma'afu, Mark Regan and Federico Pucciarello Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

Justin Harrison is lifted in line-out practice Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

Nonu receives his tie for playing members from president Micky Steele-Bodger Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

Giteau, Harrison and Troy Flavell share a joke at dinner Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

The players tuck in and catch up. Left to right: Marshall, Martyn Williams, Harrison, Giteau, Brent Cockbain, Ma'afu, Rokocoko, Nonu, Flavell Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

Books relating the history of the Barbarians await the signatures of the players at the team hotel in London Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian