Swansea Building Society sponsor Barbarians for Wales match

Rugby fans can look forward to a special event this autumn, as the beloved Barbarians, affectionately referred to as the Baa-baas, get ready to face Wales in a historic encounter on Saturday, November 4, 2023.

The much-anticipated fixture will pay tribute to the world’s most-capped player and former Wales and British and Irish Lions captain, Alun Wyn Jones. It will also mark the homecoming of the Wales team after their Rugby World Cup campaign in France.

Swansea Building Society – celebrating its centenary this year – will act as sponsor of the Barbarians’ iconic black and white hooped shirts for the match, with the society’s logo prominently displayed above the players’ numbers on the back of the shirts.

The Barbarians’ star-studded squad includes South African Duane Vermeulen and Argentine back row sensation Pablo Matera, who will make a quick journey from France following the World Cup to join their teammates. They will be joined by the illustrious Australian back row veteran, Michael Hooper, who boasts 125 international caps and holds the record for leading his country 69 times. Hooper, who narrowly missed the World Cup due to injury, is no stranger to Cardiff, having played in the 2015 World Cup Final defeat to New Zealand at Twickenham, winning six out of seven games against Wales on Welsh soil.

Additional stellar names are expected to feature for the Baa-Baas, with further announcements forthcoming. This thrilling encounter also promises a battle of the coaching titans, with Warren Gatland and his coaching team pitted against Australia’s Eddie Jones and New Zealand’s Scott Robertson, who will lead the opposition from the coach’s box.

This match offers rugby fans from across the globe an extraordinary opportunity to pay homage to one of the game’s greatest warriors, Alun Wyn Jones, while providing Wales head coach Gatland with a platform to build on the World Cup experience as he readies his side for the 2024 Guinness Six Nations campaign.

Alun Williams, Chief Executive of Swansea Building Society, said:

“We are immensely proud to sponsor the Barbarians and to adorn their iconic black and white hooped shirts with the Swansea Building Society logo. This partnership is not only a celebration of rugby’s rich tradition but also a testament to our Society’s commitment to the community and the sport. We are thrilled to be a part of this historic clash and delighted to celebrate the remarkable Alun Wyn Jones – a fantastic player with close links to our Society.”

The game will kick-off at 2:30pm, and tickets are available now from WRU.WALES/TICKETS.