Rush job for Baa-Baas

PHILIPPE Saint-Andre has asked Xavier Rush to captain the Barbarians against England – just three days after suffering at the hands of the inspirational New Zealander.

Rush played a key role in Cardiff Blues stunning comeback victory over Saint-Andre's Toulon in the Amlin Challenge Cup final last Sunday.

The Blues No 8 will be joined at Twickenham by Cardiff team-mates Casey Laulala and Martyn Williams plus five members of Toulouse's Heineken Cup-winning squad.

New Zealand flanker Rodney So'oialo starts alongside Rush in the back row while George Smith is on the bench after jetting in from Australia.

The Barbarians side includes former England trio Paul Sackey, Julian White and Ben Kay.

Barbarians team to play England at Twickenham, Sunday, kick-off 5pm:

P Warwick (Munster); P Sackey (Wasps), C Laulala (Cardiff Blues), F Fritz (Toulouse), C Heymans (Toulouse); J-B Ellisalde (Toulouse), B Kelleher (Toulouse); R Roncero (Stade Francais), B August (Biarritz), J White (Leicester), R Skeate (Toulon), B Kay (Leicester), R So'oialo (Hurricanes), M Williams (Cardiff Blues), X Rush (Cardiff Blues, captain). Replacements: K Owens (Scarlets), C Johnston (Toulouse), J Thion (Biarritz), G Smith (ACT Brumbies), P Mignoni (Toulon), F Estebanez (Brive).