The Barbarian Rugby Club, more commonly known as the French Barbarians, is a rugby union team formed in 1979 and based in France. It was founded as an amateur invitational team modeled on the

Barbarian F.C. The Barbarian Football Club, known as the Barbarians is a British-based invitational rugby union club. The Barbarians play in black and white hoops, though players wear socks from their own club strip. Membership is by invitation. As of 2011, p ...

From the start of the 2017–18 season, the French Barbarians became the official second national team of the French Rugby Federation, which had previously designated either the France U20 side or

France A France A, also known as France XV and France B in the past, was the former name of the second national rugby union team of France behind the French national side. In 2011 the French Rugby Federation designated the France U20 team as the secon ...

as that team. The French Barbarians play in sky, navy and royal blue hooped jerseys. As with the original Barbarians, players retain the socks from their "home" club strip.

History

Jean-Claude Skrela founded the club after he had played for, and adored, the original Barbarians in the later days of his career. Through the amateur era, all players chosen for the side were either French or played for French clubs. One of the most recent matches was against the Argentina national team (Los Pumas) in early 2007, as part of their preparation for the

2007 Rugby World Cup The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. Twenty nations competed for the Webb Ellis Cup in the tournament, which was hosted by France from 7 September to 2 ...

. For the game, held in

Biarritz Biarritz ( , , , ; Basque also ; oc, Biàrritz ) is a city on the Bay of Biscay, on the Atlantic coast in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in the French Basque Country in southwestern France. It is located from the border with Spain. ...

, the coaches were Jacques Delmas (Biarritz), Patrice Lagisquet (Biarritz) and were captained by

Thomas Lièvremont Thomas Lièvremont (born 6 November 1973) is a French rugby union footballer. Thomas Lièvremont was born in Perpignan. He currently coaches Dax in the second division of French rugby, Pro D2, but has agreed to join Top 14 side Bayonne as forwar ...

. While in 2008 they beat Canada in Victoria. They played with Argentina at José Amalfitani Stadium in Buenos Aires on 20 June 2009 as part of the mid-year test series, and lost 32–18. In 2016 the French Barbarians beat Australia XV by 19–11 in their first match against an Australian side for over twenty years. And in late 2017 they beat the Māori All Blacks 19–15 in the Autumn internationals, which was the first time playing that side.

Matches against international sides

Overall

Current squad

French Barbarians squad to face the United States on 1 July 2022 as part of the 2022 mid-year rugby union tests. Coaches:

Christian Labit Christian Labit (born 11 February 1971) is a French rugby player. He played for both RC Narbonne and Stade Toulousain and then moved to English club Northampton Saints. He was a member of France's 2003 Rugby World Cup squad. Whilst at Toulouse he ...

and Kevin Gourdon Note: Bold denotes players that have represented the French Barbarians in previous matches. ''Italics'' represents uncapped players.

Former players

* Malik Hamadache *

Miguel Avramovic Miguel Avramovic (born 18 July 1981 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine rugby union footballer currently playing for Agen in the Top 14. He has also played for Worcester Warriors in the Premiership. He usually plays in at centre or fullback. He h ...

Lucas Borges Lucas Borges (born 17 February 1980, in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine rugby union player who played for Benetton Rugby in the Italian Super 10 (now Top12) and the Argentina national rugby union team. His usual position is on the wing. Borges made ...

Mauricio Reggiardo Mauricio Horacio Reggiardo (born 22 February 1970 in Bragado) is a retired Argentine rugby union footballer. He played as a prop. He is currently the head coach of Pro D2 side Provence. Reggiardo played for Pueyrredon Rugby Club of Mar del Plata ...

* Alberto Vernet Basualdo * David Campese * John Eales * Nick Farr-Jones *

James O'Connor James O'Connor may refer to: Politics and law * James O'Connor (Louisiana politician) (1870–1941), U.S Representative from Louisiana * James F. O'Connor (1878–1945), U.S Representative from Montana * James Francis Thaddeus O'Connor (1886–1 ...

* George Smith *

Robins Tchale-Watchou Robins Tchale-Watchou (born 10 May 1983) is a former Cameroonian rugby union player and the CEO of Vivendi Sports and Chairman of the MMA league ARES. He played as a lock in France for Stade Français, Perpignan, Montpellier, and the Barbarians. ...

* Mike James *

Silvère Tian Silvère Tian (born July 19, 1980) is an Ivorian rugby union fullback. Career Born in Abidjan, Tian started playing rugby at age 6 in the city. He took part in the 1998 Under-21 World Championships that were held in France and attracted the att ...

Richard Pool-Jones Richard Pool-Jones (born 22 October 1969) is an English former rugby union player and current coach. He earned one cap for England in 1998, playing in the record 76-0 loss to Australia. Pool-Jones, who played club rugby in France for Biarritz Ol ...

* Peter Winterbottom * Rupeni Caucaunibuca * Waisale Serevi * Marika Vunibaka * Louis Armary * David Aucagne * Teddy Baubigny *

Alexi Balès Alexi Balès (born 30 May 1990) is a French rugby union player. His position is scrum-half and he currently plays for Stade Toulousain Stade Toulousain () ( oc, Estadi Tolosenc), also referred to as Toulouse, is a professional rugby union ...

Pierre-Louis Barassi Pierre-Louis Barassi (born 22 April 1998) is a French rugby union player who plays for Toulouse in the Top 14 and the French national team. His position is centre. International career He was not initially named in France's squad for the 2019 ...

* Abdelatif Benazzi *

Philippe Benetton Philippe Benetton (born Cahors, 18 May 1968) is a former French rugby union footballer and currently head coach of Tournon d'Agenais. He played as a flanker. Benetton had two teams during his career, Cahors and Agen, where he played until 2003. H ...

Pierre Berbizier Pierre Berbizier (born 17 June 1958) is a French former rugby union footballer and a current coach. His usual position was at scrum-half. He played 56 times for France. Biography Berbizier was born in Saint-Gaudens. He made his international deb ...

Philippe Bernat-Salles Philippe Bernat-Salles (born 17 February 1970) is a retired French rugby union player, usually playing as a wing. His main skill was a blinding speed, while he was also visually striking due to his unruly mop of gray hair. Early life Bernat-Sal ...

* Serge Betsen * Serge Blanco *

Éric Bonneval Éric Bonneval (born 12 November 1963 in Toulouse) is a former French rugby union player. He played as a Centre (rugby union), Centre. Eric Bonneval played for Stade Toulousain and Racing Métro 92 Paris, Racing Club de France. His usual position ...

* Olivier Brouzet *

Nicolas Brusque Nicolas Brusque (born 7 August 1976 in Pau, Pyrénées-Atlantiques) is a French former rugby union footballer. He has played for the French national team, including being a part of their 2003 Rugby World Cup squad. He usually played at fullback. ...

Laurent Cabannes Laurent Jean-Marie Cabannes (raised in Béarn, born in Reims 6 February 1964) is a former French rugby union footballer. He played as a flanker. Cabannes is usually considered one of the best French flankers of his generation. He played at Sectio ...

Jean-Marie Cadieu Jean-Marie Cadieu (born 16 October 1963 in Tulle) is a former French rugby union player. He played as a lock. Cadieu played for Stade Toulousain from 1982/83 to 1992/93, where he won 3 titles of the French Championship, in 1984/85, 1985/86 and 19 ...

Didier Camberabero Didier Camberabero (born 9 January 1961), is a former French international rugby union player. He played as fly half. Biography Camberabero is a son of the former international, Guy Camberabero, and the nephew of Lilian Camberabero, two brothe ...

Louis Carbonel Louis Carbonel (born 4 February 1999) is a French rugby union player. His position is Fly-half (rugby union), fly-half and he currently plays for Montpellier Hérault Rugby, Montpellier in the Top 14. International honours France (U20) *Six Nat ...

Alain Carminati Alain Carminati (born 17 August 1966 in Champagnole, France) is a French former international rugby union and rugby league footballer. He played as a Flanker and Number 8. He earned his first cap with the French national team on 23 October 1 ...

* Thomas Castaignède * Richard Castel * Marc Cécillon * Denis Charvet *

Gérard Cholley Gérard Cholley (born June 6, 1945, in Fontaine-les-Luxeuil, France) is a retired France, French international rugby union player. He played as a Prop (rugby union), Prop for Castres Olympique. He earned his first cap with the France national ru ...

Vincent Clerc Vincent Clerc (born 7 May 1981) is a former French rugby union player who played on the wing. Birth and early career Born in the city of Échirolles, suburb of the south of Grenoble (Isère), Clerc first played rugby at FC Grenoble, helping them ...

Didier Codorniou Didier Codorniou (born 13 February 1958 in Narbonne)Didier Codorniou player profile
ESPN ...

* Franck Comba * Jean Condom *

Jean-Jacques Crenca Jean-Jacques Crenca (born 3 April 1969) is a French rugby player. Crenca was born in Marmande, Aquitaine. He played for SU Agen before moving to RC Toulon for the 2006/07 season. He was a member of France's 2003 Rugby World Cup squad playing at pr ...

Dylan Cretin Dylan Cretin (Born 4 May 1997) is a crouton loving French rugby union player. His usual position is as a Flanker, and he currently plays for Lyon OU in the Top 14. In January 2020, Cretin was called into the French squad for the 2020 Six Natio ...

Marc Dal Maso Marc Dal Maso (born Escalans, 14 February 1967) is a former French rugby union player and a current coach. He played in the position of a hooker. Athletic career He played for Stade Montois, moving then to SU Agen. He then played for Colomiers ...

Marc de Rougemont Marc de Rougemont (born 24 May 1972, Aubagne, Bouches-du-Rhône) is a French rugby union footballer. He plays as a hooker. His nickname is "Le Rouge" (The Red). De Rougemont first played at RC Toulon, from 1991/92 to 1997/98. He won the title of Fr ...

* Christophe Deylaud * Philippe Dintrans * Christophe Dominici *

Yves Donguy Yves Donguy (born 1 January 1982 in Daloa, Côte d'Ivoire) is a rugby union player for Stade Toulousain, Toulouse in the Top 14 competition. He plays on the Wing (rugby union), wing. He played in the Heineken Cup Final 2008. He arrived in France ...

Pierre Dospital Pierre Dospital (born May 15, 1950) is a French retired rugby union player who played at prop for the France national rugby union team and for the French rugby union club Aviron Bayonnais. Early life and career Pierre Dospital was born on M ...

Michel Droitecourt Michel Droitecourt (born 30 October 1949) is a former French rugby union player who was capped 17 times for France. Droitecourt played as Fullback for the AS Montferrandaise where he played 2 final of the French Championship. With France he pl ...

Daniel Dubroca Daniel Dubroca (born 25 April 1954) is a former French national rugby union player and coach. He played as a prop and as a hooker. Biography Dubroca was born at Aiguillon. He played all his career at SU Agen, starting at 1969/70. He was promote ...

* Jean-Baptiste Elissalde *

Jean-Pierre Elissalde Jean-Pierre or Jean Pierre may refer to: People * Karine Jean-Pierre b.1977, White House Deputy Press Secretary for President Joe Biden 2021- * Jean-Pierre, Count of Montalivet (1766–1823), French statesman and Peer of France * Eugenia Pierre ( ...

Dominique Erbani Dominique Erbani (born August 16, 1956) is a retired French international rugby union player. He played as a back-row forward. He won 46 caps for France between 1981 and 1990, scoring 3 tries. He played in the 1987 Rugby World Cup Final defeat ag ...

Jérôme Fillol Jérôme Fillol (born 10 February 1978, in Agen) is a French rugby player, who currently plays for Top 14 club Stade Français after signing from Racing Métro in 2011. His most famous involvement in rugby to date was on 6 April when he was accus ...

* Jacques Fouroux * Fabien Galthié * Xavier Garbajosa *

Jean-Pierre Garuet-Lempirou Jean-Pierre Garuet-Lempirou (born 15 June 1953) is a former French international rugby union player. He played as a prop for FC Lourdes.

Stéphane Glas Stéphane Glas (born 12 November 1973 in Bourgoin-Jallieu, Isère, Dauphiné) is a French rugby union footballer. He currently plays for Stade Francais Paris in the top level of French rugby, the Top 14 competition. He previously played for B ...

* Arthur Gomes *

Jean-Michel Gonzalez Jean-Michel Gonzalez (born Bayonne, 10 July 1967), nicknamed ''Gonzo'', is a former French rugby union footballer and a current coach. He played as a hooker and as a prop. Gonzalez played for Cambo-Les-Bains, in his first years, Aviron Bayonnais, ...

Antoine Guillamon Antoine Guillamon (born 4 June 1991) is a French rugby union player. His position is Prop and he currently plays for Montpellier in the Top 14. He began his career with Lyon OU before moving to Stade Toulousain Stade Toulousain () ( oc, Esta ...

Francis Haget Francis Haget (born Sauveterre-de-Béarn, 1 October 1949) is a French former international rugby union player. He played as a lock. He played for SU Agen, Mont-de-Marsan and Biarritz Olympique. He had 40 caps for France during his career, betwe ...

* Dominique Harize * Cédric Heymans * Aubin Hueber * Jean-François Imbernon *

Jean-Luc Joinel Jean-Luc Joinel (born September 21, 1953, in Saint-Vincent-de-Cosse) is a retired French international rugby union player. He played as a Flanker for CA Brive. He earned his first cap with the French national team on 11 November 1977 against Ne ...

* Jordan Joseph *

Jean-Baptiste Lafond Jean-Baptiste Lafond (born 29 December 1961 in Bègles, France) is a former French rugby union footballer. He played for the French national team on over 30 occasions. His usual position was either on the wing or at fullback. He made his debut f ...

* Patrice Lagisquet * Guy Laporte * Christophe Laussucq * Jean-Patrick Lescarboura *

Marc Lièvremont Marc Lièvremont (born 28 October 1968) is a former rugby union footballer and was the head coach of the French national rugby union team. He played as a back-row forward for France, gaining 25 caps from 1995 to 1999, and was selected in France ...

Sylvain Marconnet Sylvain Marconnet (born 8 April 1976) is a French rugby union footballer who played for Biarritz Olympique having signed from Stade Français in the Top 14 club competition in France. His usual position is prop. Marconnet has played for France, ...

Jimmy Marlu Jimmy Marlu (born 25 May 1977) is a retired French rugby union player. His usual positions was Fullback but he also played Wing. He played for AS Montferrand where he won the European Challenge Cup. He made his debut for France in a match against ...

* Tony Marsh * Rémy Martin * Olivier Merle * Franck Mesnel * Frédéric Michalak * Vincent Moscato * Émile Ntamack * Romain Ntamack * Pascal Ondarts *

Alain Paco Alain Paco (born 1 March 1952) is a former French rugby union player and a current coach. He played as a hooker. He played for AS Béziers As, AS, A. S., A/S or similar may refer to: Art, entertainment, and media * A. S. Byatt (born 1936), E ...

Michel Palmié Michel Palmié (born December 1, 1951, in Béziers, France) is a retired French international rugby union player. He played as a Lock for AS Béziers and earned his first cap with the French national team on 21 June 1975 against South Africa. ...

Boris Palu Boris Palu (born 4 February 1996) is a French professional rugby union player. He currently plays at lock for Racing 92 in the Top 14 The Top 14 () is a professional rugby union club competition that is played in France. Created in 1892, th ...

* Robert Paparemborde * Laurent Pardo *

Adrien Pélissié Adrien Pélissié (born 7 August 1990) is a French rugby union player. His position is hooker and he currently plays for Clermont Auvergne Association Sportive Montferrandaise Clermont Auvergne () is a French rugby union club from Clermont- ...

* Fabien Pelous * Jean-Baptiste Poux * Thibaut Privat *

Pierre Rabadan Pierre Rabadan (born 3 July 1980, in Aix-en-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhone), is French international rugby union player, who plays his club rugby for Stade Français. A specialist Number 8, Rabadan originally played for Pays d'Aix RC, but since 1998 ...

Swan Rebbadj Swan Rebbadj (born 15 January 1995) is a French rugby union player, his regular playing position is Flanker and as Lock for Toulon in the Top 14. Career Rebbadj started playing at RC Toulon in the 2016–17 season quickly becoming one of Toul ...

Arthur Retière Arthur Retière (born 1 August 1997) is a French rugby union winger or full-back and he currently plays for Toulouse in the French Top 14. Honours Club La Rochelle *European Rugby Champions Cup: 2021–22 Toulouse *Top 14: 2022–23 ...

* Jean-Pierre Rives * Laurent Rodriguez * Jean-Pierre Romeu *

Aurélien Rougerie Aurélien Rougerie (born 26 September 1980) is a French former rugby union player who played on the wing and center for France and ASM Clermont Auvergne in the French Top 14 for his entire 19-year career. Career Rougerie was born in Beaumont, ...

* Olivier Roumat * Philippe Saint-André * Jean-Luc Sadourny *

Philippe Sella Philippe Sella (born 14 February 1962, in Tonneins) is French former rugby union player. He started as a rugby league junior in his home town before switching to rugby union. As a former French rugby union player, he held the record for most intern ...

David Skrela David Skrela (born 2 March 1979) is a former French rugby union footballer. He most notably played for Stade Français and Toulouse in the Top 14 as well as the French national side as a fly-half or centre. He was renowned for his tackles an ...

* Jean-Claude Skrela * Cédric Soulette *

Jérôme Thion Jérôme Thion (born 2 December 1977) is a French former professional rugby union footballer who played as a lock. He played for the France national team from 2003 to 2011, representing them at the 2003 and 2007 Rugby World Cups, as well as captai ...

Jean-François Tordo Jean-François Tordo (born 1 August 1964 in Nice) is a French former rugby union player. He played for Nice, RC Toulonnais, Bourgoin, and for the France national team. Tordo made his international début for France on 13 July 1991, against the U ...

* Diego Domínguez * Hugo MacNeill * Fergus Slattery * Ian Jones *

Josh Kronfeld Joshua Adrian Kronfeld (born 20 June 1971) is a TV presenter and a former rugby union footballer who represented New Zealand at international level and Otago, the Highlanders and Leicester at first-class level. During his international career, K ...

* Simon Mannix * Chris Masoe * David Smith * Grzegorz Kacała * Naas Botha *

Brett Gosper Brett Gosper (born 21 June 1959 in Melbourne, Australia) is Head of Europe & UK for the National Football League. Gosper was previously CEO of World Rugby, a former advertising agency leader and an elite level rugby union player. Early life G ...

* Filipo Toala

Honours

* Melrose Sevens ** Champions (1): 1983

References

External links

Official Website
{{Rugby union in France Barbarian F.C. International rugby union teams Barbarians Rugby clubs established in 1979 1979 establishments in France