Wales will face Barbarians in a match to rejoice the profession of Alun Wyn Jones on 4 November, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has introduced.

Lock Jones, 37, will play for a Barbarians aspect who might be coached by Australia’s Eddie Jones and New Zealand’s subsequent boss Scott Robertson.

The match at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium takes place per week after the World Cup closing.

“The Principality Stadium is without doubt one of the greatest locations on the earth to play rugby,” mentioned former England coach Jones.

“Whenever you add the fervour and fervour of a Welsh crowd and the distinctive and thrilling model of rugby the Barbarians are well-known for, we have now a match in prospect that would be the envy of followers across the globe.”

The sport will conflict with a Welsh league derby within the United Rugby Championship (URC) between Scarlets and Cardiff.

The WRU has not acknowledged whether or not it will likely be a capped sport as Wales confronted the Barbarians after the 2019 World Cup in an uncapped fixture that was Wayne Pivac’s first fixture in cost.

The Baa-Baas had been coached by Warren Gatland 4 years in the past in what was purported to be his farewell after 12 years in cost, however he has since returned after changing Pivac in December 2022.

‘Closing dance’ for Wyn Jones

Jones introduced his worldwide retirement earlier than a possible fifth World Cup and has since signed a short-term take care of Toulon as enjoying cowl through the event.

His presence on the sport on 4 November will depend upon him coming by his Toulon stint within the Prime 14 unscathed.

Jones gained 158 caps for Wales and an additional 12 Assessments for the British & Irish Lions on 4 excursions between 2009-2021.

He captained Wales 48 instances and led the Lions within the third Check in Australia in 2013, in addition to within the three Assessments in South Africa in 2021.

Nominated for the World Rugby Participant of the 12 months award in 2015 and 2019, Jones was named 2019 Six Nations Participant of the Match after main Wales to Grand Slam glory.

He made his Barbarians debut within the sport in opposition to a World XV at Twickenham in Could 2023 after retiring from worldwide rugby and in addition turned out for the invitational aspect in opposition to his first senior membership Swansea.

“Alun Wyn can have been the primary title on many staff sheets for a few years,” mentioned Robertson, who will exchange Ian Foster as All Blacks coach following the World Cup in France.

“I am not solely wanting ahead to assembly him and training him, but additionally watching him in his closing dance with a passionate crowd.

“It is an honour and a privilege to be requested to teach the Barbarians and I can not consider a greater place to do it than in Cardiff, in opposition to Wales.”

Fixture conflict

The Wales v Barbarians fixture, which can kick off at 14:30, might be held on a weekend of URC league fixtures. Scarlets are attributable to host Cardiff at 17:15 in Llanelli in a Welsh derby on the identical day, whereas Ospreys are planning on enjoying their ‘residence’ match in opposition to Sharks in London on Friday, 3 November.

Wales can have the homegrown gamers from the 4 areas accessible to them, however gamers based mostly in England or France won’t be eligible due to World Rugby laws.

The Principality Stadium historically hosts 4 autumn worldwide matches in November, however that doesn’t occur in a World Cup yr.

The WRU says the November sport will assist the annual turnover and create more cash for the sport in Wales.

Two residence matches had been scheduled in August as World Cup warm-ups, the 20-9 win in opposition to England final weekend and a gathering with South Africa on 19 August.

The 4 Welsh skilled sides have had their home fixtures disrupted with criticism in regards to the fixture being organised for the actual date from regional supporters.

“The fixture might be an opportunity to see the Wales squad again on residence soil after what everyone knows might be an thrilling marketing campaign in France,” mentioned Rhodri Lewis, WRU business and authorized director.

“It should even be a possibility to welcome some acquainted faces again to Principality Stadium, with Alun Wyn already signed up as the primary title on the staff sheet for the Baa-Baas and an thrilling teaching staff of Eddie Jones and Scott Robertson taking cost of the guests.

“The sport can have a celebratory really feel to it due to the personnel concerned. It is going to be an opportunity to say thanks to a few of Welsh rugby’s most loyal servants.

“This might be a sport to relish.”