ANGER AT BARBARIANS OVER CALL-OFF

THE Barbarians last night insisted they did have enough players to complete their abandoned fixture against Samoa after being branded ‘a shambles’ and ‘a disgrace’ for the game being called off just 90 minutes before kick-off at Twickenham.

Team bosses claimed it was Public Health England’s final decision to cancel the contest after six positive Covid cases emerged in the Baabaas camp from two players and four coaches — just a year after 13 players broke a Covid bubble and forced the game against England to be scrapped.

Former Wales fly-half Jonathan Davies fumed: ‘This is an utter shambles and disgrace. They have promoted the game and Samoa pulled out all the stops to get here without their fullstrength squad. Ironically, due to Covid restrictions some could not travel. And now this!

‘They get all this way here and it is called off so close to kick-off. It isn’t not good enough.

‘After the shambles of last year when some of the Barbarians broke the bubble and had to be replaced, it is unforgivable.’

Samoa’s players still performed the haka for their travelling fans, while forward Joe Tekori, who was set to retire after this game, was left in tears. The Rugby Football Union confirmed fans would be given a full refund.

The Barbarians claimed the decision to pull the plug was out of their hands. Their statement read: ‘Despite the recent positive Covid tests, we had a fit 23 today who all tested negative this morning. They were ready and keen to take to the pitch.’

The statement continued: ‘We worked hard with the RFU, Public Health England and the testing oversight committee, to find a way that we could play. Unfortunately, it was concluded on medical grounds that there was a risk to players on both sides should the game go ahead.’