Wales V Barbarians Classics – 2001

(At the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff).

There was only one penalty shot at goal throughout this match and the 40,000 spectators saw Stephen Jones instructed to have a go by acting-skipper Andy Moore. The kick went over and Wales led 38-35 one minute into injury-time.

Looking less than happy, the Barbarians stormed out and deep into injury time Blue Bulls wing Freidrich Lombard went in at the corner. Springbok Braam van Straaten had a wide conversion to win the match and sent a superb effort over from the touchline.

It was expected to be the 500th match played by Wales, but on the morning of the game it was announced that no caps would be awarded. Coach Graham Henry considered it would devalue caps as he had planned to take his British Lion-selected players off during the 80 minutes.

Full back Kevin Morgan and wing Shane Williams supplied reminders of why they should have been selected during the Six-Nations, and after a tame first half, the match hotted up.

Of the 20 players used by the Barbarians, only replacement Lombard had not been capped , while Wales used two replacements who had not been capped at that stage, in Gavin Henson and Gavin Thomas. Both made their full debuts against Japan in a 64-10 win for Wales at Osaka three weeks later.

WALES: K Morgan; M Jones, M Taylor (G Thomas), S Jones, Shane Williams; N Jenkins (G Henson), R Howley (G Cooper); I Thomas, R McBryde (A Lewis), D Young (capt) (D Morris), C Quinnell,

A Moore, C Charvis (Gavin Thomas), G Lewis, M Williams (N Budgett).

Tries: K Morgan 2, N Jenkins, Shane Williams, C Quinnell. Cons: S Jones 4, Jenkins. Pen: Jones.

BARBARIANS: P Montgomery; D Luger, J Little (T Horan), K Maggs, J Vidiri (F Lombard); B van Straaten, J van der Westhuizen (A Gomarsall); G Pagel, T Leota (N Drotske), C Dowd, T Bowman,

I Jones (R Brooke), B Clarke, G Teichmann (capt), J Kronfeld.

Tries: F Lombard 2, D Luger, J Vidiri, P Montgomery, N Drotske. Cons: B van Straaten 5.

Referee: E Morrison (England).