Life with the BaaBaas

Nick Mallett talks to the squad at the first team meeting

Tickets for the MasterCard Trophy game between the Barbarians and South Africa are available from ticketmaster.co.uk until Friday December 3 at noon or from the RFU on the day.

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There is something refreshingly old school about the Barbarians.

The very name itself conjures up images of some of the great games and amazing tries. Who can forget Cliff Morgan's commentary on one of rugby's top moments in the famous win over the All Blacks in 1973?

"Phil Bennettt covering. Chased by Alistair Scown. Brilliant, oh that's brilliant... John Williams. Bryan Williams... Pullin... John Dawes. Great dummy... David, Tom David. The halfway line... Brilliant by Quinnell... This is Gareth Edwards. A dramatic start. What a score."

It was a breathtaking try and a moment that summed up the BaaBaas' approach to rugby.

And although in the last 15 years the game has undergone massive changes and embraced the professional era, the Barbarians have retained their traditional roots.

The iconic shirt and badge means that the Barbarians remains one of the biggest brands in the sport - and the world's leading players want to play for the side.

In fact, the backs selected for the squad to tackle South Africa in the MasterCard Trophy at Twickenham would not look out of place in a World XV.

That takes some doing considering the packed calendars the players now have. The Australian contingent have played for almost a year without a break now, having been involved in the Super 14 competition, the Tri-Nations and an international tour, involving games in Hong Kong, England, Wales, Ireland and France.

However inclusion in the BaaBaas squad is akin to being selected in an end-of-season club tour - with the emphasis clearly on enjoyment.

The squad's itinerary for the week remains very fluid, with their schedule of events changing a number of times in just the short time I spent with them.

Even the dress code was very relaxed as myself and MasterCard's "Be Number 23" competition winner Ben Fenner - who will spend the whole week with the BaaBaas - discovered as we turned up to the President's Reception in the required suits only for the players to arrive in casual wear.

Gruelling

The players and coaches will get just six or so hours to prepare for the game over the week - a considerable change from their usual gruelling schedule.

However the players will spend a lot of time getting to know each other, building relationships and breaking down barriers. The players from Australia and New Zealand had played against each other a number of times as bitter rivals, but in the BaaBaas environment they quickly become friends.

The squad was due to meet up for the first time on Sunday, with the players converging on London from various parts of the globe.

Having trekked down from Yorkshire, myself and Ben were able to watch as the players arrived. Will Genia was already at the hotel feeling the effects of an epic win over France, while Anton Van Zyl - one of two uncapped players in the squad, another BaaBaas tradition - had been at the hotel since 7am after arriving from South Africa.

However it was not as straightforward for some of the squad. Ma'a Nonu and Neemia Tialata missed the team bus so ended up playing £220 in a taxi from Cardiff, while the traffic meant the All Blacks team coach was also held up.

As a result, the initial team meeting and kit presentation was postponed until the following morning - with the squad, backroom staff and committee getting together for the first time at the President's Reception, hosted by the inimitable Micky Steele Bodger.

Having enjoyed a beer and chat with their colleagues it was on to dinner, where even being an international star does not spare you from poor service as a group of players were forgotten about by the staff.

Coach Nick Mallett and his assistant Alan Solomons, though, ensured everyone remained happy as they chatted with players individually about the coming week.

With no plans in the evening, the players were allowed to relax with some remaining in the hotel chatting while others opted to head out to meet up with a few Aussie exiles, with Australia lock Nathan Sharpe also joining them for drinks.

A relaxed start to Monday saw the players head for breakfast at their own pace, while Mallett grabbed a coffee and jotted down his plans.

Delay

Up in the team meeting room Van Zyl and Chris Jack were working out various drills to negate South Africa's feared lineout, with Quintin Geldenhuys and Martin Williams chipping in.

With the freezing weather expected to get worse, the backroom staff were also working hard on contingency plans to ensure the squad are able to train at some point during the week.

There was another throwback to the amateur days with the players having to fill out registration forms - although I suspect it doesn't take seven to 10 days to process them before they are eligible to play.

The team meeting finally gets underway after a slight delay due to the late arrival of John Yapp - who is now likely to pay for his tardiness on the training ground, with WP Nel handed a series of muscle-burning exercises last year as punishment for a similar offence - the group were welcomed by honorary registrar Alan Evans, who also ran trough some of the administrative tasks.

Mallett was next up as he went through the plans from a playing and training perspective, with the former South Africa boss clearly determined not to lose out to his fellow countrymen.

Now the Italy coach, Mallett is an instantly likeable person. An inspirational speaker and a passionate rugby man, he captivates the room - with everyone listening intently.

Mallett uses the meeting to also confirm Barbarians veteran Matt Giteau as his skipper for the match, with the decision greeted with applause from the squad.

With the weather ending hopes of training on Monday, the squad was then dismissed to collect their kit for the week - an impressive bag of goodies containing shorts, training tops, polo shirts, hats, etc.

The players, though, have to wait for their playing shirts. They are presented on the morning of the game - although they are still immediately taken back until they get to the ground, after one international left his shirt at the hotel!

Tactics

Giteau and a number of key players were asked to remain by Mallett to talk tactics as they examine ways to topple the world champions.

With the plans in place, Giteau and co join their team-mates in enjoying some free time ahead of their next get-together in the evening.

Jack and a few hit the gym, while a few other opted to chill out in their rooms. However for skysports.com, it is a long journey back to the north as our time with the BaaBaas came to an end.