Burk headlines Barbarians squad to play USA

Andrea Burk may have quietly stepped away from representing Canada, but the 2014 World Cup Dream Team selection has at least one more international left in her. Burk is one of five North Americans named in the Barbarians squad to play the Women’s Eagles at Glendale on April 26.

It will be an historic occasion, the first time the famous invitational side has opposed a national team since the women’s version was created less than two years ago. The only two previous matches were against Irish provincial side Munster and the British Army.

Also named in the initial offering of 19 players are fellow Canadians Julia Folk and Amanda Thornborough. Folk has interestingly been listed as a back despite typically playing as a loose forward, while Thornborough will become the first player from the Americas to wear the striped shirt twice. She was selected for the first-ever Women’s Barbarians match against Munster in November 2017.

At least two former Women’s Eagles will suit up against their country, both home-town favorites for Glendale before recently retiring. Second row Carmen Farmer and flyhalf Hannah Stolba will dust off the boots for the match. The pair were also teammates at the 2014 World Cup.

Among the other notables on the roster are four Black Ferns including 2017 World Cup-winning captain Fiao’o Fa’amausili. Emma Jensen and Ireland’s Gillian Bourke join Thornborough as repeat selections, and the traditional uncapped player spot has been filled by Bristol lock Amelia Buckland-Hurry.

FORWARDS
Gillian Bourke (Stade Français & Ireland), Amelia Buckland-Hurry (Bristol Bears), Alisha Butchers (Worcester Valkyries & Wales), Dalena Dennison (Warringah & Australia), Fiao’o Fa’amausili (Auckland Marist & New Zealand), Carmen Farmer (Glendale & USA), Paul Fitzpatrick (St. Mary’s & Ireland), Samantha Martínez Gion (Amsterdam & Netherlands), Linda Itunu (Ponsonby & New Zealand), Heather Kerr (Darlington Mowden Park & England), Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox (Christchurch & New Zealand)

BACKS
Andrea Burk (Capilano & Canada), Julia Folk (Castaway Wanderers & Canada), Emma Jensen (Hastings & New Zealand), Jasmine Joyce (Worcester Valkyries & Wales), Helen Nelson (Montpellier & Scotland), Elinor Snowsill (Bristol Bears & Wales), Hannah Stolba (Glendale & USA), Amanda Thornborough (Westshore & Canada)