Ashton to play against England for the Barbarians
Test exile Chris Ashton will play against England when he lines up for the Barbarians in a non-cap international at Twickenham a week on Sunday. The wing scored 19 tries in 39 appearances for England but his last Test cap was four years ago. He had already fallen out of favour with the Red Rose hierarchy when he moved from Saracens to French giants Toulon at the end of last season, with England refusing to select overseas-based players for Test duty except in "exceptional circumstances". The 31-year-old has had an impressive first season at Toulon's Stade Mayol, scoring a Top 14 record 24 tries in a single season. Now he has the chace to wear the Barbarians famous black-and-white hooped jersey, having scored a hat-trick against the invitational side for England in 2012. Ashton was one of four Toulon players called into the Barbarians squad on Sunday by coach Pat Lam, together with Fijian backs Josua Tuisova and Semi Radradra, as well as Argentina great Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe. Pumas star Fernandez Lobbe, set to retire later this year, adds to an experienced back-row that includes New Zealand's double World Cup winner Victor Vito and Wales international Justin Tipuric. Lam, the head coach of English club Bristol, is due to make the final additions to his squad on Monday. Barbarians squad to play England at Twickenham on May 27 (1400 GMT): Backs: Niyi Adeolokun (Connacht/IRL), Bundee Aki (Connacht/IRL), Chris Ashton (Toulon/ENG), Greig Laidlaw (Clermont/SCO), Luke McAlister (Toulon/NZL), AJ McGinty (Sale/USA), Charles Piutau (Ulster/NZL), Semi Radradra (Toulon), Josua Tuisova (Toulon/FIJ), Rhodri Williams (Dragons/WAL) Forwards: John Afoa (Gloucester/NZL), Ultan Dillane (Connacht/IRL), Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (Toulon/ARG), Ramiro Herrera (Stade Francais/ARG), Benjamin Kayser (Clermont/FRA), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Leicester/AUS), Sateki Timani (Clermont/AUS), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys/WAL), Loni Uhila (Clermont), Flip van der Merwe (Clermont/RSA), Victor Vito (La Rochelle/NZL) Country code = Test player
