Robbie Deans looks on from the touchline© (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Barbarians coach Robbie Deans believes playing for the famous star-studded nomadic rugby side should not just be a frivolous exercise as the baabaas look to turn over England at Twickenham.

The Barbarians managed an impressive 22-21 victory over Ireland at Thomond Park on Thursday and will come up against an experimental England XV on Sunday.

They are set to be much changed from the Ireland win with Northampton bruiser Samu Manoa joining the ranks and Thomas Waldrom, Ugo Monye and Dave Ward all looking to play against their country.

But despite the historic tag of a flair XV who are thrown together to invoke the fantasy element of the sport, Deans is keen for the Barbarians to show toughness as well as entertainment at rugby HQ.

"You can come together in a frivolous way and have fun, but then forget about the meaning and what you're doing," he said.

"Because the Barbarians won't survive over time if it's just frivolous.

"And the game of rugby is about more than just pure entertainment, it's about courage, the way you work for your team-mates, it's the ultimate team sport.

"So you've got to be prepared to do the stuff that's not as visible.

"I think we had both elements on Thursday and we'll of course be aiming for the same again on Sunday at Twickenham."

Joe Launchbury is set for his first England start in almost a year and will join fellow World Cup training squad members in Henry Slade, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Matt Mullan, Kieran Brookes, Ed Slater and captain for the day Lee Dickson.

Danny Cipriani, another member of the 50-man World Cup squad, will also re-unite with old Whitgift school-mates Elliot Daly and Marland Yarde in the backline.