Brad Thorn says it will be "a privilege" to lead out the Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday.The Leicester Tigers lock who retires this summer after 22 years as a player in the professional game has been named Barbarians captain for the match against England.
Thorn, 40, was a World Cup winner in 2011 and forms a second-row partnership with Northampton Saints forward Samu Manoa in a starting line-up that totals 388 international caps from seven nations.
"It’s a privilege to lead the Barbarians against England at Twickenham,” said Thorn.
“Playing for the club is an honour and the boys did the shirt proud with the commitment and skill they showed to beat a good Ireland team earlier in the week.
“We know England have some exciting talent in their side with plenty to play for in the build-up to the World Cup, but we have high standards and want to give them a real test.”
Head coach Robbie Deans makes 11 changes to the invitation team that beat Ireland 22-21 at Thomond Park on Thursday.
England wing Ugo Monye makes his final appearance in the professional game.
The Barbarians – celebrating their 125th anniversary this season – call on the leading try scorers in the Top 14 and the Aviva Premiership in the shape of Toulon wing David Smith and Exeter Chiefs No8 Thomas Waldrom.
Barbarians
15 Gio Aplon (Grenoble & South Africa) 17 caps*
14 David Smith (Toulon) 0
13 Joe Rokocoko (Bayonne & New Zealand) 68
12 Wynand Olivier (Montpellier & South Africa) 38
11 Ugo Monye (Harlequins & England) 14
10 Tusi Pisi (Suntory Sungoliath & Samoa) 20
9 Tomas Cubelli (Belgrano Ath & Argentina) 34
1 Saimone Taumoepeau (Castres & New Zealand) 3
2 David Ward (Harlequins) 0
3 Matias Diaz (Pampas & Argentina) 8
4 Samu Manoa (Northampton Saints and USA) 10
5 Brad Thorn (Leicester Tigers & New Zealand, Captain) 59
6 George Whitelock (Panasonic Wild Knights & New Zealand) 1
7 George Smith (Lyon & Australia) 111
8 Thomas Waldrom (Exeter Chiefs & England) 5
Replacements
16 Deon Fourie (Lyon) 0
17 Roberto Tejerizo (Tucuman & Argentina) 4
18 Adam Jones (Cardiff Blues & Wales) 95
19 Nathan Hines (Sale Sharks & Scotland) 77
20 Pablo Matera (Pampas & Argentina) 13
21 Ruan Pienaar (Ulster & South Africa) 80
22 Stephen Brett (Lyon) 0
23 Yoshi Fujita (Panasonic Wild Knights & Japan) 21
*Cap numbers do not include British & Irish Lions and Pacific Islanders appearances
