Regan to defy Bristol

Mark Regan is set to ignore the threat of a fine from his club Bristol and lead the Barbarians against World Cup-winners South Africa in their year-ending international on Saturday.

The England hooker has been at loggerheads with Bristol over his participation, with the Guinness Premiership outfit saying Regan will be in breach of his contract should he take to the Twickenham pitch.

But, speaking on Wednesday, Regan said: "I was asked to captain the Barbarians and I consider it a massive honour to do that.

"I'll be leading out the side at Twickenham alongside my children Daniela, nine next Monday, and Alexandra, six, and it'll be a very nice enjoyable family day."

Pressure

With Premier Rugby having already ruled that none of their 12 clubs should provide players for the match, Regan and fellow England forward Andrew Sheridan were under pressure from their clubs not to take up invitations to play for the Baa-Baas.

Sheridan's agent, Mike Burton, warned Sale they would be in breach of contract if they stop him playing for the Barbarians, and could even lose the giant prop if they refused to release him.

However, the latter has now acquiesced and will instead play for the Sharks in their EDF Energy Cup match against Leicester on Friday.

"We've had problems with Sale over Andrew," a Barbarians spokesman confirmed.

"We respect Sale's point of view and are not pursuing the finer detail of the contract we have with Andrew.

"We have accepted Andrew will not play for the Barbarians on Saturday."

Robinson farewell

Elsewhere, Jason Robinson has been named at full-back for what will be his last competitive match before retirement.

With a shoulder injury having caused his premature departure from England's 15-6 World Cup final defeat against the Springboks, Robinson's fitness is being monitored.

Nevertheless, Barbarians coach Eddie O'Sullivan said he was hopeful the cross-code star would make one final appearance.

O'Sullivan said: "Jason has made a miraculous recovery after working incredibly hard to be fit for the game.

"He has been speaking to the Barbarians about playing in this match for a long time.

"He had a run out yesterday and was fine, but we are assessing him closely."

Muller leads Boks

South Africa captain John Smit has been refused permission to play in the fixture by his French club Clermont Auvergne.

In Smit's absence, Johann Muller will lead the Springboks for the second time, having previously skippered them in the Tri-Nations encounter against New Zealand in Christchurch earlier this year.

Outgoing coach Jake White's final selection shows three changes from the XV that beat Wales 34-12 in Cardiff last weekend.

Bismarck du Plessis comes in at hooker in place of Smit, while the other change in the pack sees veteran Johan Ackermann partnering Muller in the second-row in place of Bakkies Botha, who injured his ankle in the win against the Welsh.

Botha has stayed with the team, but Ackermann was flown in earlier this week after it became clear that Botha would not be fit.

The third change is on the wing, where Akona Ndungane replaces JP Pietersen in the No.14 jersey.

Uncapped duo Tiaan Liebenberg and Barend Pieterse have been named on the bench.

Teams

Barbarians: 15 J Robinson (England), 14 J Rokocoko (Blues & New Zealand), 13 C Smith (Hurricanes & New Zealand), 12 M Nonu (Hurricanes & New Zealand), 11 I Neivua (Warriors & Fiji); 10 M Giteau (Western Force & Australia), 9 J Marshall (Ospreys & New Zealand); 1 F Pucciarello (Munster & Italy), 2 M Regan (captain, Bristol & England), 3 S Ma'afu (Brumbies), 4 B Cockbain (Wales), 5 J Harrison (Ulster & Australia), 6 R Elsom (Waratahs & Australia), 7 M Williams (Cardiff & Wales), 8 J Collins (Hurricanes & New Zealand).

Replacements: 16 S Brits (Stormers), 17 J D Moller (Stormers), 18 T Flavell (Blues & New Zealand), 19 M Owen (Dragons & Wales), 20 T Shanklin (Cardiff & Wales), 21 P Grant (Stormers), B Cohen 22 (England).

South Africa: 15 R Pienaar, 14 A Ndungane, 13 J Fourie, 12 F Steyn, 11 B Habana, 10 A Pretorius, 9 E Januarie; 1 CJ van der Linde, 2 B du Plessis, 3 J du Plessis, 4 J Muller (captain), 5 J Ackerman, 6 S Burger, 7 J Smith, 8 R Kankowski.

Replacements: 16 T Liebenberg, 17 H van der Merwe, 18 A van den Berg, 19 B Pieterse, 20 W Olivier, 21 W Julies, 22 C Jantjes.