Planned Wales International to Clash with Welsh Derby Weekend
A proposed Wales international match against the Barbarians is currently being planned for November, but it would clash with a highly anticipated Welsh rugby derby between the Scarlets and Cardiff. The potential clash has raised concerns among rugby fans and stakeholders, as it could divide their attention and affect attendance for both events.
The Wales versus Barbarians match is slated to take place on the opening weekend of November, just one week after the World Cup final in Paris. This timing presents a challenge as any Test fixture during that weekend would overlap with the third round of United Rugby Championship matches, with the Scarlets scheduled to host Cardiff in that round.
The potential Test match holds special significance for Welsh rugby fans, as it could provide them with the perfect opportunity to bid farewell to two iconic players, Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric. Both players announced their international retirements earlier this summer, marking the end of an era for Welsh rugby. However, their availability for the match remains uncertain, especially since Alun Wyn Jones has signed with Toulon as cover during the World Cup, and Rhys Webb, who is joining Biarritz Olympique, is likely to be unavailable due to his club contract in France.
This fixture between Wales and the Barbarians would not be the first of its kind. A similar uncapped match took place after the 2019 World Cup, which marked Wayne Pivac’s first game as Wales coach. At the time, the Barbarians were led by Warren Gatland, who was bidding farewell after 12 years in the role. Interestingly, Gatland has since returned for a second stint, replacing Pivac in December 2022. For this potential fixture, Scott Robertson, who will become the new New Zealand coach after the World Cup, is being considered as the leader of the Barbarians.
In addition to the clash with the Welsh derby, the Welsh Rugby Union is also exploring the possibility of hosting extra matches at the Principality Stadium next season to boost revenue. Typically, the stadium hosts four autumn internationals every year, but this is not the case in World Cup years. As part of this exploration, a Gallagher Premiership match between Bristol Bears and Gloucester is being considered, which would mark the first time an English league derby is held at the iconic venue.
This summer, the Principality Stadium is already scheduled to host two of Wales’ three World Cup warm-up games. They will face off against England on August 5 and world champions South Africa on August 19. Additionally, Gatland’s men will travel to Twickenham for a return fixture on August 12.
With all these developments, rugby enthusiasts eagerly await confirmation regarding the proposed Wales international against the Barbarians. The clash with the Welsh derby certainly poses challenges, but it is hoped that a solution can be found to ensure both events can be enjoyed by fans without any compromises.
