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These are your rugby headlines on the evening of Wednesday, October 29. Wales international Rhodri Williams has been called up by the Barbarians for their clash against an All Blacks XV this weekend. The two sides will meet at Brentford’s GTech Stadium on Saturday, November 1, as the autumn internationals get under way. It is the third time the scrum-half has been selected by the invitational side, having represented them before in 2018 and 2019, scoring a try against England. The number nine has been picked to start by coach Pat Lam and Stormers head coach John Dobson and he will feature alongside some stellar names, including double World Cup-winning Springbok Bongi Mbonambi at hooker and South African No 8 Evan Roos. The All Blacks XV will be led by Jamie Joseph. Lam said: “It’s been an awesome week with so many guys experiencing the Barbarians for the first time. We’ve enjoyed each other’s company and the Barbarian spirit, and the focus is now on Saturday. “The All Blacks XV will present a big challenge, with a lot of top quality players but the further challenge for us is to come together as a group to take them on. “We’re all really excited to see the boys have that experience and the weekend will be a celebration of our week together.” Barbarians team to face All Blacks XV Max Malins, Matias Moroni, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Werner Kok, Rob du Preez, Rhodri Williams; Oli Kebble, Bongi Mbonambi, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Ernest van Ryhn, Ruben van Heerden, Hanro Liebenberg (capt), Fitz Harding, Evan Roos. Replacements: Andre-Hugo Venter, Alistair Vermaak, Jack Aungier, Cobus Wiese, Batho Hlekani, Brad Webber, Dan du Plessis, Rhyno Smith Lions star Henry Pollock has been training on the wing ahead of England's autumn international clash with Australia. Pollock has been named on the bench for this Saturday's clash against the Wallabies but England head coach Steve Borthwick has been keen to develop hybrid players ahead of the next Rugby World Cup . Ben Earl, another back-rower, could see action in the centre, too. “[Pollock on the wing] is one to consider,” said Borthwick . “Right now, he’s a young man and a back-row forward. The situation with Ben is slightly different. Ben is such an experienced player. "Henry is a back-row forward, but it’s one of the combinations I’m looking at for the future. You look at the talent and versatility, and being adaptable. If I was an England supporter I would want the head coach to be thorough. I’m thorough. “Guy Pepper’s been training in the back line and we’ve been looking at Henry Pollock on the wing. His pace is a match for a lot of wingers. That kind of versatility is really important to us. “I think Ben would be very effective [at centre]. Clearly, he has an incredible skill set. Is it something you’d want him to experience at club level? Ideally. I have no hesitation starting him in a Test at 12. He’s got that ability. “Fin has been training at 12. [Who replaces who] depends on the game situation and what the game is like. And what stage we are at in the game. But I would have no hesitation in Ben Earl or Fin Smith being in the centre.” By Anthony Brown, PA Liam McConnell admitted he did not anticipate being called up by Scotland so early in his development. Prior to this season, the 21-year-old back-rower had made only five senior appearances for Edinburgh – four of them as a substitute. After starting four of his club’s five United Rugby Championship matches this term, however, McConnell has been given the chance to make his full Scotland debut after being named in the squad for next month’s Tests against USA, New Zealand, Argentina and Tonga. Asked if he expected to get the call last week from head coach Gregor Townsend, the blindside flanker said: “No, not really. I guess when you’re playing you maybe always hope that you might get a call. “You kind of know what day the phone calls are going out, so you’re maybe sitting a bit closer to your phone that day. “I wasn’t waiting on it, but when it came it was definitely a surprise. “I was just over the moon to be starting for Edinburgh, even just playing for Edinburgh. This is not how I expected the season to go really.” McConnell knows Scotland are stacked with experienced back-row options, but he is keen to savour every moment of his involvement with the squad. “Mainly just experience, seeing what some of the best players do and how they train,” he said when asked what he hoped to get from the next month. “Obviously if the opportunity to get a cap did happen, then that as well. That would be awesome. I’m just happy to be here, learning from everyone. “There are a lot of back rows here, so there’s a lot of competition. It’s just about trying to put my best foot forward and seeing what happens.” McConnell revealed he has modelled some of his game on that of senior Scotland international Jamie Ritchie, who left Edinburgh in the summer to join Perpignan. “I think we’re kind of similar in a way to how we play, both sixes,” he said. “I think I’ve probably learnt a lot from him. Since he’s left I’ve tried to do things that he used to do while he was at the club.” Follow all of our channels to ensure you stay up to date with the latest Welsh rugby news. Sign up to our free daily newsletter here and our WhatsApp channel here for all the breaking news. You can also follow us on social media on our X account , Facebook , Instagram and TikTok. For more exclusive stories and in-depth analysis, you can sign up for the Inside Welsh Rugby substack newsletter here
