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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Anthony Woolford

Rhys Webb to play against England this summer after being named in Barbarians squad

Rhys Webb has been named in a squad to play England this summer... but not by Wales!

The Toulon scrum-half has been unveiled in the first batch of Barbarians players to take on Eddie Jones' side at Twickenham on June 2 in their Quilter Cup clash.

The 30-year-old moved to France from the Ospreys last summer and, because of an agreement between the Welsh Rugby Union and the four regions, remains unavailable for international selection by coach Warren Gatland.

His last appearance for Wales came in their 2017 autumn international series clash with South Africa in Cardiff.

And with that being his 33rd cap, he falls way short of the 60-cap threshold to continue playing for his country from outside of Wales.

The reason why Exeter exile Tomas Francis can still play for Wales but Rhys Webb can't  

But it doesn't prevent him playing for the Baa-Baas, and the Lions No.9 is one of four Toulon players named by coach Jim Mallinder for the clash with England.

Webb will be joined by team-mates, monster Fijian winger Josua Tuisova, All Blacks centre Malakai Fekitoa and Fijian flyer Filipo Nakosi for the Twickenham showdown.

"We're delighted to have players of such high quality available for what promises to be another extremely competitive game," said Barbarians chairman John Spencer.

"Last year's side produced a record-breaking attacking display and with the Barbarians women's side also in action against the Red Roses, June 2 promises to be another historic day for the club."

Rugby World Cup 2019 Fixtures

England's meeting with the Barbarians marks the start of a hectic schedule for the 2003 World Cup winners as they prepare for their assault on the Webb Ellis Trophy this autumn.

They host 2019 Six Nations Grand Slam winners Wales in west London on August 11 and then travel to Cardiff six days later.

Wales will also have a double-header with Ireland while England host Joe Schmidt's side on August 24 before wrapping up their warm up games with a match against Italy in St James' Park, Newcastle, on September 6.

The dates and the things that will decide who makes Wales' Rugby World Cup squad 

Mike Tindall just claimed there's 'f**king no way Wales will win the World Cup'

Wales' next coach Wayne Pivac questioned by some fans as Scarlets' proud 21-year-old European record under threat 

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