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Three Pumas have been named on the Barbarians roster to face England. Former Scotland Head Coach Vern Cotter will take chareg of the team for this coming Sunday’s fixture as well as a second match against Ulster on June 01.
Already having been named in the Barbarians squad are Facundo Isa and Patricio Albacete. Their respective French clubs, Lyon and Toulouse, were both eliminated propr to the Top 14 play-off’s. They are now to be joined by Horacio Agulla. His club, Castres, were eliminated by Toulon this past weekend.
All three Pumas have appeared in Rugby World Cups. Agulla played in 2007, 2011 and 2015. His 63rd and final cap was the Bronze Final against South Africa in 2015. Albacete featured in 2003, 2007 and 2011. His test career was cut short after off-field problems with Daniel Hourcade. He earned a total of 57 caps. Isa has currently earned 25 caps but will not add to them until 2019.
Albacete is to be joined by a number of Toulouse clubmates. They include Yann David, Gillian Galan and Thierry Dusautoir. It is to be an emotional opportunity for Albacete and Dusautoir to play together one last time. Together they won the Champions Cup and numerous French titles. Dusautoir earned 80 caps and was World Rugby Player of the Year in 2011.
BARBARIANS
Forwards: Patricio Albacete, Steffon Armitage, Schalk Brits, Thierry Dusautoir, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Gillian Galan, Richard Hibbard, Facundo Isa, Census Johnston, Mikheil Nariashvili, WP Nel, Mike Ross, Joe Tekori, Jeremy Thrush
Backs: Horacio Agulla, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Yann David, Kahn Fotuali’i, Robbie Freuan, Rory Kockott, Ian Madigan, Timoci Nagusa, Waisea Nayacalevu, Ruan Pienaar, David Smith, Frans Steyn
