Wales edge Barbarians in Nations Championship warm-up
Wales fly-half Dan Edwards contributed two tries and 12 points overall as Wales defeated the Barbarians 33-31 at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham, preparing for their upcoming Nations Championship campaign.
The match took place under sweltering conditions, with temperatures reaching 32C (90F). Edwards was supported by tries from scrum-halves Kieran Hardy and Reuben Morgan-Williams, as well as wing Ellis Mee.
However, the standout moment was the farewell appearance of Wales legend George North, who scored two tries for the Barbarians after coming on as a second-half substitute. North's first try came with his initial touch, and he also kicked the final conversion of the match.
Other Barbarians scorers included South African prop Vincent Koch, Munster centre Alex Nankivell, and Uruguay scrum-half Santiago Arata.
Wales had previously secured a morale-boosting Six Nations victory against Italy in March. This uncapped win marked back-to-back victories for Wales for the first time since the 2023 World Cup, though the team acknowledges there is room for improvement ahead of the Nations Championship.
Since the fixture was held outside World Rugby's official international window, Wales selected their squad exclusively from the four domestic regions. Head coach Warren Gatland's squad was without 12 players based in England and France, including scrum-half Tomos Williams, lock Dafydd Jenkins, props Nicky Smith and Rhys Carre, and wing Louis Rees-Zammit, who are expected to return for the Nations Championship opener against Fiji at Cardiff City Stadium.
Gatland is set to announce the squad for the Nations Championship early next week, which will also include away matches in Argentina and South Africa.
Empty stadium but valuable preparation for Wales
The match was played in front of a sparse crowd of fewer than 20,000 spectators in an 82,000-capacity stadium, with the upper tiers closed. The atmosphere was subdued, highlighted by a first-half "Mexican Wave" indicating some disengagement among fans.
This uncapped international was part of a double-header alongside the women's game, held in southwest London rather than Cardiff, where the Principality Stadium was hosting a Metallica concert the following day.
Despite the low attendance, the match provided important game time for many Welsh players who had not played for over a month. The Barbarians fielded a strong side featuring 19 internationals from 11 countries, captained by South African double World Cup-winning scrum-half Faf de Klerk, who praised the forward pack as one of the biggest he had ever played behind.
Wales take first-half lead in London sunshine
Wales began the match strongly with powerful forward drives, leading to a try from Kieran Hardy. Cardiff lock Teddy Williams, returning from a dislocated right foot injury sustained in October, was unable to secure the restart.
South African prop Vincent Koch forced a scrum penalty from Gareth Thomas and scored a try by powering over the line. Barbarians hooker Elliot Dee, who was the only Welsh player starting for the Barbarians, was denied a try in the left corner.
Wales captain Dewi Lake, who retained the captaincy despite the return of British and Irish Lions flanker Jac Morgan from injury, had a productive opening quarter with strong carries and a penalty turnover.
The Barbarians showcased their typical flair with multiple offloads following a break by de Klerk, but the move broke down before the first water break.
Wales briefly regained cohesion with a well-executed move involving centre Joe Hawkins and man of the match Aaron Wainwright, finished by Dan Edwards' try.
Scarlets back rower Taine Plumtree made a significant break but was unable to claim his own kick to score. Another Wales try opportunity was lost due to a poor pass from Lake to Wainwright.
Handling errors were frequent from both teams as Wales led by nine points at halftime. The break was extended to 20 minutes due to the warm weather.
North shines in second half as Wales hold on
Wales introduced new front-row players at the start of the second half, with replacement props Ben Warren and Rhys Barratt making their first appearances for Wales, later joined by Dragons forwards Ryan Woodman and Harrison Keddie.
Hardy's kick set up Edwards' second try, which he scored with a sprint. The largest cheer of the day greeted the entrance of George North as a second-half replacement wing.
North had called time on his international career in 2024 having won 121 caps and scored 47 tries for his country, helping Wales win four Six Nations titles and two Grand Slams.
As well as his Wales exploits, he toured with the British and Irish Lions in 2013 and 2017, playing three Tests and scoring two brilliant tries in the series win against Australia.
North demonstrated his enduring world-class ability by scoring with his first touch, capitalizing on weak Wales defence.
After Wales centre Eddie James prevented a try by Nathan Hughes, Wales responded as Morgan-Williams scored before Munster centre Nankivell replied for the Barbarians.
A strong break by Blair Murray appeared to set up a try for Scarlets teammate Ellis Mee, but Mason Grady was penalized for obstruction. Mee later scored, and North concluded the match with his second try and converted Arata's late score.
Team line-ups
Barbarians: Spring; Kellaway, Ward, Nankivell, Vakatawa; Plummer, de Klerk (capt); Kharaishvili, Dee, Koch, Rodda, Taofifenua, Salakaia-Loto, Boshier, Hughes.
Replacements: Thacker, Iscaro, Alo-Emile, Tanga, Joseph, Arata, North, McConnell.
Wales: Murray; Rogers, James, Hawkins, Mee; Edwards, Hardy; G Thomas, Lake (capt), Lewis, Carter, T Williams, Plumtree, Morgan, Wainwright.
Replacements: Elias, Barratt, Warren, Woodman, Keddie, Morgan-Williams, Costelow, Grady.
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe (England)
Assistant referees: Alex Thomas, Jamie Parr (England)
TMO: Stuart Terheege (England)
