TWICKENHAM, London -- There will always be magic in the Barbarians. There aren't many sports teams that can attract the world's best players at the drop of the hat, three weeks after a major international tournament.

Most of those who featured in this year's record-breaking Rugby World Cup have already embedded themselves back into club shirts. The familiar routine that comes with a demanding domestic season often makes it feel like it never went away; some would have longed for its immediate return.

However, while Europe's best were back contending the Champions and Challenge Cups this weekend, some of the world's biggest stars donned the familiar black and white hoops at Twickenham on Saturday. The Barbarians, made up entirely of southern hemisphere players, celebrated 125 years of existence by hosting Argentina for the honour of lifting the Killik Cup.

Honour is a big word amongst the Baa-Baas. You do not get picked to play for them, you are invited -- that joyous mantra was shared by several former Barbarian greats who spoke during the pre-match celebratory lunch in Twickenham's West Stand. JPR Williams, Roger Uttley, Micky Steele-Bodger -- president of Barbarian FC -- and Derek Quinnell championed the enjoyment and camaraderie that comes with pulling on rugby's most esteemed shirt.

Sir Gareth Edwards, scorer of what many believe is the greatest try of all time against the All Blacks in Cardiff in 1973, reminisced with such enthusiasm that it felt he would be on his way down to the changing room shortly after finishing his roast dinner. Stories of friendship, frivolities -- "rat arsed" was mentioned more and more as the wine stocks diminished -- and old foes gave insight as to why players are so keen for an invitation.

Argentina legend Agustin Pichot revealed as much when speaking of his eagerness to play for the Barbarians as a young professional. He fondly remembered watching them on an old black and white television as a child: that, for him, was where the magic started.

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And, given the transformation of Argentinian rugby, perhaps it was fitting the Pumas lined up to celebrate with the Barbarians on Twickenham's turf. Daniel Hourcade's men showcased a sublime, expansive and free-flowing style of rugby on their journey to the World Cup semifinals, not dissimilar to the Barbarians' iconic flair. Their players spent seven weeks in England and seemingly enjoyed every minute in each other's company. A true Barbarian spirit.

That was evident in abundance as they ran seven tries to the Barbarians' five to clinch victory and, with it, the Killik Cup. This was only the second meeting between the two sides -- the Barbarians were victorious in Cardiff in 1990 to toast their centenary year -- and the only shame was that a half-full Twickenham was on hand to witness it.

It was a match that demonstrated the true spirit of rugby and fortified the very essence of the sport. From the respected silence to remember those who died in the Paris terror attacks last week and the sudden passing of Jonah Lomu -- the match programme also had a further tribute to fellow All Black and Barbarian Jerry Collins -- to the celebration of departing internationals Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield, Saturday's clash showed why the Barbarians must remain a key part of the international game.

Barney Burnham wrote in Saturday's programme that the world's most famous rugby club -- founded by William Percy Carpmael during an oyster supper in Bradford in 1890 -- remains the very cornerstone of rugby even in the modern day.

Seeing how many smiles it puts on faces 125 years later makes it very hard to disagree.