Ex-Edinburgh coach Howells leads Baa-Baas

FORMER Edinburgh coach Lynn Howells will take charge of the Barbarians squad for next week’s match against the South of Scotland in Hawick.

Howells was appointed coach of the capital side in September 2006 after a consortium led by Bob Carruthers took control of the team, but he departed in August 2007 after the Scottish Rugby Union took the club back into central ownership.

The former assistant coach to the Welsh national team then took up the head coach position at Doncaster Knights.

Howells replaces former England and Ireland coach Brian Ashton, who was originally invited to coach the Barbarians for Tuesday’s match at Mansfield Park, but is now indisposed.

“It is a great honour for me to be invited to coach the Barbarians and the fact that they have assembled such a talented group from all over Europe bodes well for the occasion,” said Howells.

In addition, Munster and Ireland scrum-half Tomas O’Leary is the latest big name to be added to the Barbarians squad.

The match kicks off at 4pm on Tuesday. Tickets will be on sale on the day but supporters are advised to buy in advance, with prices £10 for grandstand and £5 for the terracing.