Twickenham: Elliot Dee to face home nation Wales with Barbarians
Dee to play against former teammates
Elliot Dee, the Dragons forward, is set to feature for the Barbarians against Wales in an uncapped match at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham this Saturday. Dee, a hooker, will start for the invitational side, facing many of his former teammates. This fixture marks a unique occasion for Dee, who has represented Wales for over a decade.
Dee expressed his anticipation for the match, noting it will be an interesting experience unlike anything he has done before. He highlighted the difference between playing in Welsh club derbies and now competing against close friends who are active Wales internationals. The match holds personal significance for Dee, with his family, fiancée, and two sons expected to be in attendance. He also mentioned the emotional prospect of the anthem playing, stating he will sing but is unsure of the feelings it will evoke.
Ambitions for Wales remain
While George North, another Welsh international in the Barbarians squad, will conclude his professional career after this match, Dee’s ambitions to play for Wales continue. Dee, who has earned 55 caps and participated in two World Cups, was also part of Wales’ 2019 Grand Slam-winning team. His most recent appearance for Wales was against England in March 2025.
Dee’s 2025-26 season was significantly impacted by injury, causing him to miss more than half of the campaign before returning for the final three months. He was not included in Steve Tandy’s summer squad, which features Dewi Lake, Ryan Elias, Liam Belcher, and Evan Lloyd as the named hookers. This upcoming match against Wales presents an opportunity for Dee to demonstrate his capabilities to the national coaching staff.
Dee affirmed his desire to play international rugby, stating that nothing can replace the excitement it brings. He acknowledged that he hasn’t had as many opportunities to play as he would have liked in the past year, but his ambition to represent Wales remains strong. He described the chance to play for the Barbarians as a lifelong ambition fulfilled, accepting the invitation without hesitation after his omission from the Wales squad.
His involvement with the Barbarians began with a call-up for their match against South Africa in Cape Town last weekend, which they lost 80-31. Despite being less than a month into his off-season, Dee had maintained his fitness. He described the experience of being thrown into a match against the world champions after a week with the Barbarians as unique, noting the less serious atmosphere compared to Test rugby.
Barbarians’ unique team dynamic
Dee has embraced the experience with the Barbarians, finding it to be one of the most enjoyable times he has had on the field. He believes the invitational side plays a crucial role in rugby, offering a less serious environment compared to the pressures of professional Test matches. He highlighted the quick bonding among the players, moving from strangers to close teammates in a short period.
The fluid nature of the Barbarians squad was evident with the recent arrival of Faf de Klerk, the South Africa scrum-half and double World Cup winner. De Klerk, who played against the Barbarians for the Springboks just seven days prior, will captain the invitational side against Wales. Dee noted de Klerk’s energy and leadership within the group, anticipating he will bring excitement to the match.
Scott Robertson, the Barbarians head coach, has named a strong squad for the encounter, featuring 19 Test-capped players from 11 different nations. The starting lineup includes Tom Spring at full-back, with Andrew Kellaway and Virimi Vakatawa on the wings. Jeremy Ward and Alex Nankivell form the centre pairing, while Harry Plummer joins de Klerk in the halves. The forward pack features Nathan Hughes, Lachlan Boshier, and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto in the back-row, with Romain Taofifénua and Izack Rodda as the lock pairing. Vincent Koch, Dee, and Giorgi Kharaishvili complete the front row. The replacements bench includes George North, who will make his final professional appearance, alongside Harry Thacker, Jack Iscaro, Paul Alo-Emile, Yoan Tanga, Jordan Joseph, Santiago Arata, and Liam McConnell. De Klerk will lead the team as captain at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham this Saturday.
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Source: bbc.co.uk
Isla Hartley is a Sports Reporter at NewsUK. She covered the British summer of sport from Wimbledon to the Test grounds. She focuses on tennis, cricket and athletics and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. She holds a degree in Sports Studies from the University of Stirling and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Glasgow, she runs half-marathons and follows Scottish athletics. “The overlooked athlete usually has the better story.”
