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Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe will captains the Barbarians in his retirement match. Taking place in London on Sunday, Corcho will bring to an end his playing career. With it one of Argentina’s greatest players will begin his post-playing career.
Playing for Argentina from 2004-2015, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe captained his country and earned 71 caps. He played in three RWC’s, including making two appearances at the Semi Finals stage.
As a club player he had a highly successful career in both England and France. Int he English Premiership he was captain of Sale Sharks before departing for the Top 14. For Toulon he won the French title in 2014 and the European Champions Cup in 2013, 2014, and 2015.
His time at Toulon as a player ended on Friday with Lyon eliminating Toulon in a barrage play-off. The result means Lyon advance to face Montpellier next weekend in the Semi Finals.
Against Lyon Fernández lobby played 71 minutes and they were to be his final minutes as a player before the call came from the Barbarians. He was added today to the roster to face England on May 27.
In addition to Fernández Lobbe other players added were his Toulon teammates Semi Radradra, Josua Tuisova, and Chris Ashton. For Ashton it is an opportunity to play against his own country.
Fernández Lobbe is one of two Pumas in the side to take-on England. The other is Ramiro Herrera, a player to have played for Los Jaguares in Super Rugby and Castres and Stade Français in the Top 14.
BARBARIANS ROSTER
Forwards: John Afoa (Gloucester & New Zealand), Denis Buckley (Connacht), Ultan Dillane (Connacht & Ireland), Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (Toulon & Argentina), Ramiro Herrera (Stade Francais & Argentina), Benjamin Kayser (Clermont & France), Nili Latu (Newcastle Falcons & Tonga), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Leicester & Australia), Sateleki Timani (Clermont & Australia), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys & Wales), Loni Uhila (Clermont), Flip van der Merwe (Clermont & South Africa), Victor Vito (La Rochelle & New Zealand)
Backs: Niyi Adeolokun (Connacht & Ireland), Chris Ashton (Toulon & England), Malakai Fekitoa (Toulon & New Zealand), Greig Laidlaw (Clermont & Scotland), Luke McAlister (Toulon & New Zealand), Josh Matavesi (Newcastle Falcons & Fiji), Semi Radradra (Toulon), Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors & Scotland), Josua Tuisova (Toulon & Fiji), Rhodri Williams (Bristol & Wales)
