Barbarians

North will link up with the Barbarians squad in London next week after the invitational side have played South Africa on Saturday.

The Wales and Barbarians occasion in Twickenham will be a double-header with the men’s game at 14:00 BST followed by the women’s game at 17:00 BST.

On the previous occasion that Wales men faced the Barbarians, after the 2023 World Cup, Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric were given a farewell to the Welsh crowd when they lined up for the invitational side at the Principality Stadium.

This time North will be one of the headline acts.

“I have been privileged to enjoy the career I have had, and I have so many unforgettable memories from Wales and friendships to last a lifetime,” said North.

“So to go out against my country, with some of my friends and team-mates playing is so special.

“To also be able to play alongside some of the best and most exciting players in the world, and to enjoy that famous Barbarians spirit is something I couldn’t turn down.

“I can’t wait to link up with the boys next week and hopefully we can do something special.”

The Barbarians fixture is a warm-up for Wales’ Nations Championship Tests against Fiji, Argentina and South Africa in July.

Wales have been boosted by the return from injury of highly-regarded back-row Alex Callender for their uncapped encounter against Barbarians at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham on Saturday, 27 June.

The 25-year-old missed Wales’ Women’s Six Nations campaign because of injury, but is set to return for a fixture that follows a men’s international against the Barbarians in a double-header at the home of English rugby.

Head coach Sean Lynn’s 33-strong training squad includes 14 uncapped players, while 24 members of the squad play for Wales-based teams Brython Thunder or Gwalia Lightning.

Lynn has his eye on the future after Wales suffered a winless Six Nations and emphasised that focus.

“It’s a real opportunity to continue to build our playing philosophy and to have a look at the exciting young talent now coming through our pathway and through the Celtic Challenge teams, Wales U21s and Wales U18s,” said Lynn.

“All the players have been told there is a real opportunity to play against an experienced Barbarians side and not to assume that they will or will not play.

“The door is open for selection, and this is a good opportunity for our younger players to taste what is expected at international level.”

Kelsey Jones, Bethan Lewis, Sian Jones, Lleucu George, Hannah Dallavalle, Nel Metcalfe, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Jorja Aiono and Alaw Pyrs were all involved with Gloucester-Hartpury in Sunday’s Premiership Women’s Rugby semi-final defeat by Ealing Trailfinders.

They have not been named in Wales’ initial squad and will be assessed on Thursday.

Saracens duo Georgia Evans and Donna Rose, and Trailfinders back Carys Cox, will be involved in the PWR final on the same weekend as the Barbarians game so will not be involved for Wales.