The Barbarians have appointed ex-Wasps coach Lee Blackett to their backroom team for the clash with Northampton on Saturday, November 26.
Blackett, who is currently without a job after he was made redundant due to Wasps entering administration, has been given a much-needed fillip on Tuesday.
He will be joined by Leicester Tigers legend Geordan Murphy and former Cardiff Blues head coach John Mulvihill in the coaching team for the Saints clash.
Financial boost after Worcester setback
The meeting was only scheduled recently as the Saints looked to fill the hole left by the Premiership clash with relegated Worcester Warriors being cancelled.
It wasn’t just a fixture gap for Northampton Saints, however, as the financial hit of not having a home game on that day led to the club acting quickly to fill it.
According to CEO Mark Darbon when talking to the Northampton Chronicle and Echo, the absence of the league clash would have cost them up to £450,000.
It is therefore a shrewd move to invite the Barbarians to Franklin’s Gardens and Darbon is delighted that the fixture will go ahead in front of a packed crowd.
“The Barbarians are rugby’s version of the Harlem Globetrotters, wowing their crowds whenever they play, so we are absolutely thrilled to confirm this historic fixture for next month,” he said.
“Worcester Warriors’ suspension from the Gallagher Premiership leaves a significant hole in our financial forecast, so the club has acted swiftly to arrange another top-class game of rugby for this date, and we’re delighted with the outcome.
“I’m sure all our supporters will agree that watching the Baa-Baas in Northampton is an incredible opportunity, and we are grateful to everyone at Barbarian F.C. for their support in organising the match at short notice.
“We’re looking forward to playing our part in creating a fantastic spectacle at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.”
Marland Yarde set for Baa-baas call – report
According to The Times, Blackett is also set to coach the Barbarians in their game against Bath as the invitational side are poised for a busy November schedule.
Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson and La Rochelle boss Ronan O’Gara lead the opening match, against an All Blacks XV, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Meanwhile, the same newspaper are reporting that Marland Yarde will be invited to play against Harlequins, Bath and Northampton Saints over next month.
Yarde hasn’t played since he was arrested and subsequently released by then club side Sale Sharks “on suspicion of having committed a very serious offence”.
Joe Marchant to play for and against Baa-baas
In other news, Joe Marchant has become the second Harlequins player to be picked by the Barbarians for the game against an All Blacks XV on November 13.
Marchant joins fellow Harlequins team-mate and England international Joe Marler in selection for this fixture, while both will then feature for Harlequins as the Premiership club faces the famous invitational side at The Stoop on Thursday, November 17.
Click Here: sharks rugby jersey