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The Barbarians to return to Ireland for Fiji clash at Kingspan Stadium

A highly-entertaining game awaits in Belfast in November.

ULSTER HAVE ANNOUNCED that Kingspan Stadium will play host to the Barbarians’ meeting with Fiji later this year.

The Belfast venue will host the famous invitational side’s fixture against the Fijians on Friday 11 November [KO 7.30pm].

Barbarians them do a selfie The BaaBaas won in Thomond Park last year.

The Barbarians are set to bring their usual cast of stars to Ireland for the game, with former Wallabies head coach Robbie Deans and ex-England international Will Greenwood in charge for their autumn series.

The BaaBaas will play South Africa at Wembley the weekend before the Belfast clash with Fiji, whose squad for November is likely to include the usual levels of world-class attacking talent.

Last year, Deans coached the Barbarians to a 22-21 win over Joe Schmidt’s Ireland XV in Thomond Park, with the likes of Joe Rokocoko and Jimmy Gopperth featuring in a team captained by Shane Jennings.

The redevelopment of Kingspan Stadium, formerly known as Ravenhill, has been a major success for Ulster so far, with the Belfast ground having hosted last season’s Guinness Pro12 final. The Women’s World Cup final will take place there next year too.

It will be a real pleasure to bring the Barbarians to Belfast to play at such an important venue that is the home of Ulster Rugby,” said Barbarians coach Deans.

“I’m sure we’ll receive a hospitable welcome and make new friends among the knowledgeable rugby public in Ulster.

“The Barbarians and Fiji both have great traditions of playing entertaining and skilful rugby, as was shown at Twickenham when we last met. We’ll endeavour to approach this game in the same competitive spirit.”

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Murray Kinsella
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