Ireland scored some great running tries against the Barbarians in May, 2008, eventually ending up winning 39 – 14:

Scarlets 40 Barbarians 24

Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli Saturday 31 January 2009

The official opening of the new home of the Scarlets was celebrated in perfect fashion as the near capacity crowd were treated to ten tries and a feast of attacking rugby from both sides.

If the hosts were out of the blocks quickest with three tries that fully punished the understandable teething problems in the Barbarians’ defensive organization in the first 20 minutes, then it is equally true that the Baa-Baas finished the stronger with three tries of their own inside eight minutes during the final quarter.

Barbarians’ squad:

Backs – *Ben Blair (Cardiff Blues & NZ), *Tomas de Vedia (London Irish & Argentina), *Brian Carney (Munster & Ireland), *Tom Voyce (London Wasps & England), Jamie Robinson (Cardiff Blues & Wales), *Kevin Sorrell (Saracens), *Jeremy Staunton (London Wasps & Ireland), *Gordon Ross (Saracens & Scotland), Mark Robinson (London Wasps & NZ), *Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club & USA)

Forwards – Anton Oliver (Oxford University & NZ), Mark Regan (Bristol Rugby & England), Federico Pucciariello (Munster & Italy), *Jon Dawson (Cambridge University), Ben Evans (Calvisano & Wales), *Deiniol Jones (Cardiff Blues & Wales), Daniel Vickerman (Cambridge University & Australia), Gavin Quinnell (Viadana), Aaron Persico (Calvisano & Italy), Ma’ama Molitika (Cardiff Blues & Tonga), *Steve Tandy (Ospreys), Colin Charvis (Newport Gwent Dragons & Wales)

[* - denotes new Barbarian]

The Barbarians are a rugby club, formed in 1890, which brings together players from different clubs to play a few matches each year to enjoy the camaraderie of the game and play attacking, adventurous rugby without the pressure of having to win.

The Barbarians have no home ground or clubhouse. They are a touring club that plays at the invitation of clubs or unions and have visited all parts of the home unions.

The only criteria a player must fulfil to recieve an invitation from The Barbarians are: that the player’s rugby is of a good standard and that they behave themselves on and off the field. There is no discrimination on the basis of a player’s race, colour or creed and since 1890, players from over 25 different countries have worn the famous black and white hoop jersey. Once invited a player becomes a life member of the club.

Many would claim that the 1973 match when the Barbarians beat the All Blacks at Cardiff Arms Park is the best display of rugby ever seen.

Some say this try by Gareth Edwards (Barbarians) against New Zealand in 1973 is the best one ever scored. Perhaps…if it isn’t the best, it has to be near the top of the list.