England v Barbarians fixture aims to reignite Eddie’s men

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England v Barbarians fixture aims to reignite Eddie's men

The key point to any ‘friendly’ International, is to prepare the team. So the England v Barbarians fixture aims to reignite Eddie Jones’ men, after a whole season stalled in the idle position.

Like every other side, the Coronavirus not only interrupted their plans for the Guinness Six Nations but, it halted any momentum that Eddie Jones had planned to bring back to his side. It halted their progression, even putting them a step backward. That will be one factor high on the list of the England coaching group, come October 25.

Nearly a year after the highs and lows and the 2019 Rugby World Cup, naming his training squad and then preparing for the England v Barbarians Quilter Cup fixture, is good for the mind, body, and soul of England Rugby.

For their opposition, it is yet another encounter to celebrate the virtues of Baabaas rugby. To bring together like-minded individuals, to play as a collective. And to ignite the enjoyment that rugby can bring [especially in these darkened days of Covid-19].

England v Barbarians fixture aims to reignite Eddie’s men

Once seen as a match that would be postponed, unable to have any spectators in the coliseum that is Twickenham, this game is still scheduled to be played on Sunday, October 25.

When naming his squad of 28 players for his first 3-day camp, Jones explained in an RFU media statement; “We’re excited to be back together in camp representing England. This autumn we want to play for the fans and give them something to smile about.

“Our preparation to build the team for the Italy game starts now. We have a three-day camp this week and another one next week then we’re into the week of our Quilter Cup match against the Barbarians.

“We’ll be slowly building up, working on the basics, and working on team cohesion.”

A big component, when you have to return players from a club environment back into the red rose, is collaboration. To reaffirm the team bond – something required by all the International team’s reassembling over October.

New names are also being introduced. As he has in prior encounters, Jones named 12 youngsters, who will gain the value of training alongside capped Internationals, as well as auditioning for a future role in England Rugby.

As the group completes this first squad assembly on October 8, an updated squad will be confirmed ahead of England’s next training camp from Thursday 15-17 October.

Harlequins legend Chris Robshaw added to Barbarians group

Vern Cotter lines up for his second term as Barbarians coach, and is aiming to assemble a strong group that will be a contest for their England counterparts.

One name that has been announced, is Harlequins legend, Chris Robshaw. Fresh off his 300th, and final game for ‘Quins, it will be a wonderful testimony for the former England captain.

He will join a strong list of Internationals, that will aim to test England in the Quilter Cup. Not so much a festival match, yet each will prize their time within the Barbarians environment.

With the history on top of the character of the fixture, expect another classic England v Barbarians encounter.

A great snapshot of who we are as a club and the values we want to uphold 🙌💪The spirit of rugby 👌

Posted by Barbarian FC on Saturday, July 11, 2020

With respect, all that Eddie Jones will want from this fixture, is to ignite his men’s attitude. Their focus will return to International rugby, as a week later (Coronavirus health advisories allowing), the England men will head to Rome, to complete their 2020 Six Nations commitments.

ENGLAND v BARBARIANS – Sunday, October 25. Twickenham

 

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