Regan ready for HQ farewell

Regan: Sunset

If England wanted me, which would be desperate measures now, I am available as long as I'm still playing.

Mark Regan
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Mark Regan could be making his final appearance at Twickenham when he leads the Barbarians out against England this weekend.

Regan, who has 12 months remaining on his Bristol contract and looks likely to retire from the game when it comes to an end, accepts that the sun has set on an illustrious 46-cap international career with England.

But the 36-year-old, who was a valued squad member of the 2003 world champions and first-choice hooker at the World Cup last autumn, said he would still have no hesitation in answering his country's call if it came.

"If England wanted me, which would be desperate measures now, I am available as long as I'm still playing," he said.

"I've retired from international rugby once already, and I am not doing it again. I will do that when I've finished playing rugby full stop.

"I have another year on my (Bristol) contract, and that may well be it. I might pack in then and go into some sort of coaching job."

Reinforced

Current contenders for the number two shirt, David Paice and Dylan Hartley, are on England duty this weekend before they head to New Zealand next month, along with Bath's Lee Mears.

The Barbarians will field a stronger looking side than the one that crashed to a 39-14 defeat against Ireland on Tuesday.

Reinforced by players like former All Blacks flanker Jerry Collins, ex-Wales captain Gareth Thomas and Regan himself, the Baa-Baas will be looking to show a marked improvement on their midweek disappointment.

England, who head to Auckland next Monday have 12 of their New Zealand tour squad on starting duty and are looking for a powerful send-off at headquarters on Sunday.

But tour manager Rob Andrew is under no illusions and does not expect an easy ride against Regan's men.

Valuable

He said: "The last round of the regular Guinness Premiership season was three weeks ago, and the first Test against New Zealand is not for another fortnight.

"There would have been a five-week gap for certain players, so for those guys it is very valuable.

"We are taking no notice of the game against Ireland on Tuesday night.

"The Barbarians have won four of the seven games played against England. The midweek game will have no bearing on Sunday's match."

England will be led by Harlequins back-row forward Nick Easter, who together with centres Mathew Tait and Toby Flood are the only survivors from last autumn's World Cup campaign.

There is a first England start, albeit in a non-cap game, for London Irish wing Topsy Ojo, while Quins full-back Mike Brown returns after touring South Africa with England last summer.

One player with arguably the biggest point to prove, though, is fly-half Charlie Hodgson, who could put down a marker ahead of the opening All Blacks Test, with Danny Cipriani and Jonny Wilkinson both injured.

Andrew added: "Charlie is a great player who has been running the show this week with Flood at 12.

"I am looking forward to seeing them play together and mixing up the game, setting the foundations for when we go to New Zealand."