Barbarians v Australia, Twickenham, November 26, 2011
Tomkins handed Barbarians start
ESPNscrum Staff
November 23, 2011

Wigan's Sam Tomkins has been handed a starting spot on the wing for the Barbarians' clash with Australia at Twickenham on Saturday.

The rugby league star will play his first competitive rugby union match in front of a packed Twickenham when he lines up against the Tri-Nations champions. Tomkins' brother Joel has recently agreed a move to Saracens and despite rumours suggesting Sam would follow, he has committed his future to rugby league.

Former Springboks lock Victor Matfield captains the side in the Killik Cup clash and he packs down alongside Toulon lock Simon Shaw. And Danny Cipriaini will have the chance to showcase his ability and give a timely reminder to the England selectors after being selected at fly-half in a Barbarians side which possesses over 1000 international caps between them.

Barbarians: Isaia Toeva, Sam Tomkins, Robbie Fruean, Stirling Mortlock, Bryan Habana, Danny Cipriani, Peter Stringer; Eusebio Guinazu, Keven Mealamu, Sylvain Marconnet, Simon Shaw, Victor Matfield (captain), Jerome Kaino, Mauro Bergamasco, Adam Thomson

Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Salvatore Perugini, Jason White, Marco Bortolami, Nemia Kenatale, Richard Kahui, Seru Rabeni

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