Coach Dean Ryan names six All Blacks in Barbarians squad

Dean Ryan: Enjoying his chance to coach Barbarians

Worcester's director of rugby will take charge of the Baa-Baas for the fixture at Twickenham on June 1, and he has already revealed the first 12 names in his squad.

All Blacks wings Sitiveni Sivivatu, Hosea Gear and Joe Rokocoko have been named along with fellow internationals Jimmy Cowan, Benson Stanley and Andrew Hore.

Australia back James O'Connor also features, together with Brock James, Juan-Martin Leguizamon, Sona Taumalolo, Joe Tekori and Davit Zirakashvili.

Ryan, who will announce the remainder of his squad next week, is relishing the chance to work with some of the best players in the world.

"It is very rarely that you get the opportunity to work with a squad containing this much quality," Ryan said.

"The Barbarians are a special entity, and I am very excited to be involved."

Squad

Backs: Jimmy Cowan (Gloucester, New Zealand), Hosea Gear (Toulouse, New Zealand), Brock James (Clermont), James O'Connor (London Irish, Australia), Joe Rokocoko (Bayonne, New Zealand), Benson Stanley (Clermont, New Zealand), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Clermont, New Zealand).

Forwards: Andrew Hore (Unattached, New Zealand), Juan-Martin Leguizamon (Lyon, Argentina), Sona Taumalolo (Perpignan, Tonga), Joe Tekori (Toulouse, Samoa), Davit Zirakashvili (Clermont, Georgia).

Watch England v Barbarians on Sky Sports 1HD from 14.00 on Sunday, June 1