Cardiff will crown their 150th anniversary season with a special fixture against age old rivals the Barbarians. The Baa-Baas first met Cardiff RFC at the Arms Park on 31 March 1891, with the home side triumphing 12-5. Their last clash was the 112th meeting between the two teams at the Arms Park on 6 April […]
Cardiff will crown their 150th anniversary season with a special fixture against age old rivals the Barbarians.
The Baa-Baas first met Cardiff RFC at the Arms Park on 31 March 1891, with the home side triumphing 12-5. Their last clash was the 112th meeting between the two teams at the Arms Park on 6 April 1996, when Cardiff triumphed 49-43.
The great rivalry will be resumed on Friday, 4 June 2027 (7.30pm) as the Baa-Baas follow in the footsteps of their summer visit to St Helen’s to help Swansea mark their 150th season two yeas ago.
“We are absolutely thrilled to revive one of the game’s most iconic fixtures as the club celebrates its sesquicentennial season,” said Cardiff Rugby’s honorary president, Sir Gareth Edwards.
“There is so much shared history between the teams, while Penarth remains the Baa-Baas spiritual home. It offers us the perfect opportunity to mark our 150th anniversary at the Arms Park with our supporters but also the chance to capture the hearts and minds of new generations just like the old Easter tours.
“We’re very grateful to the Barbarians for accepting the invitation and are looking forward to what will undoubtedly be a fantastic occasion.”
The Barbarian FC president, the former England and British & Irish Lions centre John Spencer, played three times for the touring team against Cardiff, picking up a famous 30-28 win in 1970 against a home team that contained Sir Gareth.
The two presidents played together for the 1971 Lions and also teamed up your times for the Barbarians in their illustrious careers.
“The Barbarians are absolutely delighted to accept the invitation of Cardiff for this fixture in their very special 150th anniversary season. These are two clubs steeped in history, with a shared philosophy for innovation, entertainment and enjoyment,” said Spencer.
“So many greats of the game have pulled on both the famous Blue & Black and Black & White hoops. And so many of my fondest memories in the game are of the old Easter tours in Wales with fixtures against Cardiff on the Saturday.”
One change the Barbarians will notice since their last visit is that the ground now boasts an artificial pitch and the North Stand has now been renamed the Sir Gareth Edwards stand in tribute to one of the club’s greatest players.
FIRST MEETING 1891– CARDIFF 12 – 5 BARBARIANS
Cardiff: Dai Fitzgerald, back; Tom Pearson, Charlie Arthur, Fred Jones, Selwyn Sweet-Escott, three-quarter backs; Huw Ingledew, Ralph Sweet-Escott, half backs; David Evans, Sid Nicholls, Jim Mahoney, R. T. Duncan, J. Smith, J.V. Arman, R. A. Lewis, H. J. Taylor, forwards
Barbarians: Edwin Emley, back; Andrew Stoddart, Randolph Aston, Phil Christopherson, Charles Hooper, three-quarter backs; A. Rogers, Howard Marshall, half backs; Charlie Nicholl, Alfred Allport, Percy Carpmael, Cyril Vernon, W. H. Manfield, Phil Maud, Percy Coles, Tom Whitaker, forwards
LAST MEETING 1996 – CARDIFF 49 – 43 BARBARIANS
Cardiff: Ian Jones; Nigel Walker, Stephen John, John Colderley, Nick Walne; Chris John, Andrew Moore; Phil Booth, Huw Bevan, Mike Griffiths, Stuart Roy, Keith Griffiths, Darren Davies, Jamie Ringer, Howard Stone (captain)
Reps: Matthew McCarthy, Matthew de Maid, Matthew Davey, Paul Young, John Wakeford, Chris Mills
Barbarians: John Gallagher; Ed Saunders, Stephen Cottrell, Sebastian Salvat, Derek Stark; Dennis Charvet, Agustin Pichot; Alan Watt, Kevin McKenzie, Peter Wright, Shade Munro, Mark Giacheri, Xavier Blond, Iain Morrison, Julian Gardner,
Reps: Luc Evans, Greg Olives, Jim Hay, Mark Linnett, Brandon Cripps, Scott Murray