Ulster Rugby vs Barbarians

It was a rather dreary Bradford evening in October 1890 that the seed which has bloomed into the iconic Barbarians was sown, with what we would today call a ‘mission statement’ which sustains the modern, spectacular model. WELCOME THE BARBARIANS AT THE GATE!

William Percy Carpmael loved his rugby, and played with some distinction for Cambridge University and the Blackheath Club. He believed that his sport must be introduced to more and more people, and it was his idea to organise a side to travel far and wide in Britain, spreading good fellowship and using the oval ball game to promote basic human values. In these more cynical – some might think sophisticated – days Carpmael’s vision of spreading a gospel encouraging courage, flair, team spirit and passion might appear rather naïve, if worthy. Happily the Barbarians maintain principles of which Carpmael would certainly approve, even if the idea he hatched in Leuchters Restaurant has flourished into the globally- recognised ‘brand’ which will – as usual – attract a capacity crowd to Kingspan Stadium this wondrous evening. The first match the Baa-Baas played was at Hartlepool’s Friary Field just after Christmas in 1890, drawing a small, curious crowd of spectators which wasn’t entirely au fait with the intricacies of Rugby Union, then amateur to its very core. Since then Barbarians history has traced its path defined by great players, spectacular matches, locations which resonate with supporters everywhere For those of us of a certain vintage the rugby calendar began in September and drew its curtains around Easter when the colourful gang of very talented players, of all countries, races and creed, established an ad hoc base at Penarth’s Esplanade Hotel, to this day the club’s spiritual home. The fixtures against Cardiff, those at Leicester, were stages for players to throw off any shackles and demonstrate a range of skills and imagination which entranced. And just as its net cast itself wide to field sides of incredible lustre so too did the fixture list, and international sides on tour in the UK and Ireland would very regularly conclude their rigorous trips with a mood-altering abandon in contests which have been stamped on rugby’s consciousness. Not just the game with New Zealand and ‘that try’ from Gareth Edwards, but – and Carpmael would so have approved – the Barbarians stepped

up to offer opposition to countries such as Australia which, in 1948, found its coffers empty and officially ‘strapped for cash’ to conclude its tour and finance the trip home via Canada! The hurriedly-arranged match attracted a big crowd, the ‘takings’ ensuring the playing party could return ‘down under’ in good health and on a sound financial basis. And the founding fathers’ ambitions for the expansion of rugby have been exceedingly achieved, and the devotion to a style of playing has been joyfully embraced by all of the near- 3,000 players who’ve realised their own dream of being a ‘Baa-Baa’! It’s impossible to browse that celebrated list and not have great memories revived, even the reason that rugby has become a personal passion. Kyle, Morgan, Bledwyn and JJ Williams, Edwards, Gibson, Duckham, Guscott, Calder, McBride, Morgan, the Quinnells, Ripley, Bennett, Slattery randomly come to mind, while from other shores Blanco, Farr-Jones, Lomu, Meads are and were men of singular talent and character. And here in Belfast this evening an Ulster team which will have every incentive to demonstrate its own individual and collective potential will tread the same sward as modern legends such as Patricio Albacete and Facundo Isa from Argentina and Samoa's Joe Tekori. New Zealand’s Corey Flynn and Jeremy Thrush will hope to pack down together, perhaps alongside the Samoan giant Census Johnson and Ireland’s Mike Ross. But quite naturally so much interest will centre on the marvel which is Thierry Dusautoir, of Toulouse and France, a magnificent breakaway forward and an international captain to rank with the true ‘greats’ of the game. Dusautoir is taking leave of rugby this week after the games with England and Ulster and what a reception he deserves: a supreme athlete, a ferocious competitor and

ROD NAWN

unyielding, inventive leader of men. Truly, we will never see his like again.

Coach Vern Cotter is also moving on after being properly rewarded for his dedicated efforts with Scotland in bequeathing a self-confident, gifted and passionate national side to his successor Gregor Townsend.

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