The Barbarians, an iconic rugby all-star team, have appointed Canada coach Kingsley Jones an assistant coach for their May 28 match against a World XV.
Jones will assist Eddie Jones, the former England and now Australia coach, in running the Barbarians at Twickenham.
“Coaching the Barbarians is one of the highest honours in rugby,” Kingsley Jones said in a statement. “I was lucky enough to play for the Baa-baas in 2000 — which was an incredible experience — and also coach them alongside Philippe Saint-Andre in 2010.
“So, to be part of the coaching set up again, working alongside Eddie Jones, is just amazing."
The Barbarians, an invitational side known for its free-flowing style of rugby, date back to 1890. Once invited, a player becomes a life member of the famous club.
Canadians to have played for the Barbarians men's and women's team include sisters Kelly and Laura Russell, Karen Paquin and World Rugby Hall of Famers Al Charron and Gareth Rees as well as Tyler Ardron, Mark Wyatt, David Lougheed, Glen Ennis, Rod Snow, James Pritchard, Jason Marshall, Sean Duke and Kevin Tkachuk.
Ardron captained the Barbarians in 2019.
In the early 1960s, the Barbarians asked B.C.'s Douglas (Buzz) Moore to play against Canada while on tour in Britain. He declined, leading the Canadians to a 3-3 tie against the all-stars. The Barbarians made him an ``honorary Barbarian.''
Kingsley Jones won 10 caps for Wales and captained his country once in 1998, while also enjoying club spells with Ebbw Vale, Pontypridd, Gloucester, Worcester Warriors and Doncaster Knights.
He represented the Barbarians twice as a player on the side’s 2000 summer tour, in wins over Ireland at Lansdowne Road and Leicester Tigers at Twickenham.
He served as assistant coach to Saint-Andre in a 29-23 win over Ireland at Thomond Park and 35-26 loss to England at Twickenham, both in 2010.
"The beauty of the Barbarians is that you get all those different players who in the past have gone toe-to-toe with each other, but are now in the same changing room — it’s so unique," Kingsley Jones said. "There is so much respect for each other in the changing room. No one wants to lose the respect of the man next to him, and everyone brings their ‘A’ game … It’s a great opportunity and I’m privileged, firstly to work with Eddie, but also to work with a great bunch of players.”
The two Jones have known each other since 2007.
“Kingsley is a good rugby man and I’ve no doubt he’ll make a big impact on our group when the Barbarians come together again in May,” said Eddie Jones.
The World XV is led by former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen.
Kingsley Jones and Hansen faced off at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan when the All Blacks thumped Canada 63-0 in pool play.
The Barbarians last played at Twickenham, in June 2022, defeating England 52-21. They retained the Killik Cup in November by virtue of a 35-31 win over an All Blacks XV at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 14, 2023
Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
