Marshall started at scrum-half as the Baa-Baas defeated England at Twickenham on Saturday and is relishing the chance to bring something different to the southern hemisphere when they take on Australia at Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday.

"The Barbarians are hopefully giving the southern hemisphere something different, something they're not used to seeing," he said. "If that can progress to an expat team or a world team, I think it's great for rugby. It might be something that could be great in New Zealand; could the Barbarians or a team like that go there and play the All Blacks?

"When I left in 2005, the Lions was something different for New Zealand, they hadn't seen it in 12 years and the country was abuzz. To see players of this calibre here is great for Australian rugby and it can only be good for New Zealand rugby."

Thomson had been involved in an argument with New Zealand TV presenter Joanna Holley, who subsequntly called the police. In court however, Holley admitted that she had overreacted whilst under the influence of alcohol and witnesses confirmed that Thomson had in fact attempted to walk away from the argument despite provocation.

The winger has signed for the remainder of the 2009 Super League season and will join up with the squad at the end of June once his commitments to the Irish Rugby Union are completed. The 32-year-old represented Great Britain and Ireland in League up until 2006 before he switched codes and joined Munster.

He was immediately called up to the Ireland national team for the game against Argentina and scored a try on his debut in Santa Fe before he was selected for the 2007 World Cup squad. Carney represented his country four times and also played 20 times for Munster, scoring five times for the province.