Charles Ollivon headlines a Barbarians squad with a blend of youth and experience as Fabien Galthié’s side prepare to face England at Twickenham on Sunday.
Having missed out on France’s Grand Slam-winning campaign through injury, the Les Bleus back-rower was already confirmed as captain of the famous Black and Whites last week.
And he will lead a squad featuring many stars from the French clubs that featured in the EPCR Challenge Cup and Heineken Champions Cup just two weeks ago.
Care handed England recall ahead of Barbarians clash
Ollivon is joined in the 24-man squad by Toulon teammates Louis Carbonel, Jean-Baptiste Gros and Christopher Tolofua ahead of the final team line-up being named on Friday.
Australian giant Will Skelton and Fiji hybrid Levani Botia are also selected off the back of their European triumph with La Rochelle, who beat Leinster to be crowned champions.
They are named along with clubmates Pierre Bourgarit, Thomas Lavault and Danny Priso, while England’s George Kruis returns to Twickenham to play his final match against his country.
Springbok Trevor Nyakane has also got the nod from Galthié, along with rising Racing 92 stars Nolann Le Garrec, Max Spring and Yoan Tanga, and France international Virimi Vakatawa.
Barbarians head coach Galthié said: “It is an honour to be called upon to select and coach the Barbarians, an institution with strong values rooted in the history of our sport.
“We will share with the selected players this precious heritage: an attacking, adventurous, ambitious way to play that is the mark of the BaaBaas.
“We have already planned to study together some historic moments, such as Gareth Edwards’ try in 1973 against the All Blacks. This BaaBaas mindset remains fertile ground for expression of talent, we will be keen to success in our mission and give all the fans a great moment of rugby.”
Full squad is as follows, with the final team line-up to be announced on Friday.
Levani Botia (Fiji, La Rochelle)
Pierre Bourgarit (France, La Rochelle)
Louis Carbonel (France, Toulon)
Batiste Couilloud (France, Lyon)
Dylan Cretin (France, Lyon)
Jean-Baptiste Gros (France, Toulon)
Sipili Falatea (France, Clermont)
Antoine Hastoy (France, Pau)
George Kruis (England, Panasonic Wild Knights)
Thomas Laclayat (Oyonnax)
Thomas Lavault (La Rochelle)
Nolann Le Garrec (R92)
Sekou Macalou (France, Stade Français)
Davit Niniashvili (Georgia, Lyon)
Trevor Nyakane (South Africa, R92)
Charles Ollivon (C) (France, Toulon)
Damian Penaud (France, Clermont)
Danny Priso (France, La Rochelle)
Will Skelton (Australia, La Rochelle)
Max Spring (France, R92)
Yoan Tanga (France, R92)
Christopher Tolofua (France, Toulon)
Virimi Vakatawa (France, R92)
Tani Vili (France, Clermont)
