Barbarians to face free-flowing World Cup quarter-finalists Fiji at Twickenham in 2024 – with former Australia head coach Robbie Deans in charge of the Baa-Baas for a sixth time 

• Fiji impressed but were beaten by Steve Borthwick’s England in the last-eight
• It will be their first return to Twickenham after beating England there in August
• Head coach of Pacific Island nation Simon Raiwalui stepped down from his role 

The Barbarians will face free-flowing World Cup quarter-finalists Fiji at Twickenham in 2024 in a contest which promises 80 minutes of constant attacking rugby.

Fiji impressed at the global tournament in France earlier this year, reaching the last-eight stage where they were beaten by Steve Borthwick’s England.

The head coach of the Pacific Island nation Simon Raiwalui stepped down from his role after the loss and Fiji remain on the lookout for his successor.

It is likely there will be no shortage of possible candidates given the immense rugby talent available to the nation.

Whoever takes on the role can look forward to facing historic side Barbarians at the home of English rugby on June 22 – a fixture which comes at the end of the domestic season.

Fiji were narrowly beaten by England in the World Cup earlier this year despite playing well

England’s national team, led by Borthwick, will face a reunion with new Japan head coach and former Red Rose boss Eddie Jones in the Far East that day but rugby fans who don’t travel to the Far East will have Twickenham as an option. The Barbarians will be coached by Robbie Deans for the sixth time.

‘I’m very excited to return to Twickenham,’ Deans, the former Australia coach, said.

‘It’s a place where you step out into that arena and you just want to lace up your boots and play. Obviously, you can’t do that forever, so I’m looking forward to making the most of this opportunity to get back there.

‘It’s a privilege to pull that Barbarians jersey on and we’ll certainly be motivated to put on a show and play with the classic, free-flowing style of the Barbarians.

‘For me, the Barbarians are the gatekeepers of the soul of the game.

‘Witnessing that unbelievable Barbarians try at Cardiff Arms Park in 1973 is what latched me on to the game and I’ve got no doubt it had the same impact on a lot of people.

‘The moment ignited the spirit of the Barbarians. The game was amateur at the time. Now, people are well-paid professional players, but the Barbarians remind us all that rugby is still a game at the end of the day. We have a responsibility to the generations that follow.’

For Fiji, it will be a first return to Twickenham since their stunning 30-22 victory over England in a World Cup warm-up match back in August.

‘Playing the Barbarians is a wonderful opportunity,’ said Simi Valenitabua, interim administrator at Fiji Rugby Union.

The last time Fiji came to Twickenham they produced a remarkable victory over England

‘They come with a great reputation of fantastic running rugby. It’s very similar to the Fijian philosophy for how we like to play the game.

‘Fiji is grateful for the chance to play against the Barbarians at Twickenham, an iconic rugby venue.

‘The club has a rich 130-year history with many of the greats of rugby representing them in that time.

‘Games like these are invaluable to Fiji Rugby, alongside World Rugby’s continued support to our game with the Fijian Drua Super Rugby team.’

Meanwhile, Jonathan Thomas has left Warren Gatland’s Wales coaching team ‘to pursue other opportunities in rugby’. The former forward joined the national side last year.

Wales head coach Gatland said: ‘Jonathan has been an important member of the team.

‘He is an excellent coach with a great future in the game and has made a valuable contribution to the side’s development, especially during the World Cup in France.

‘We wish him well with his future plans and I know he will be an asset to any side in whatever capacity he chooses to pursue next.’

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