Manu Vunipola to face brothers Billy and Mako as three more players confirmed for England vs Barbarians

Saracens trio will join former England captain Chris Robshaw for the annual clash between the two sides

England will come up against a number of familiar faces next weekend after three more players were added to the Barbarians squad, joining former captain Chris Robshaw in the non-Test international at Twickenham.

Saracens trio Richard Wigglesworth, Jackson Wray and Manu Vunipola have all been announced as the latest recruits by the prestigious invitational side, who face Eddie Jones’s team on Sunday 25 October the day after the Premiership final.

It means that fly-half Vunipola is likely to come up against his cousins Mako and Billy, with the Vunipola brothers expected to feature in England’s squad following this week’s training camp in south-west London.

“It will be very surreal running out at Twickenham in Barbarians’ Black and White, playing against Mako and Billy,” 20-year-old Manu said.

“I’ve had so many amazing rugby influences in my career so far – my dad, obviously my cousins, and some incredible teammates at Sarries like Owen Farrell.

“It’s really incredible to think I will be part of a Barbarians squad that will be going up against England in the first international match at Twickenham for nearly eight months. I’m thrilled. I can’t wait.”

Vunipola’s father, Elisi, made 41 appearances for Tonga including in two World Cups and is brother to Fe’ao Vunipola, both Mako and Billy’s father, who has been interim chief executive of the Tongan Rugby Union for the last five years.

Wigglesworth meanwhile is on his way out of Saracens after a decade with the club, though he has made it clear that he has no intention of retiring despite testing the waters in coaching with both Canada and Ealing Trailfinders.

“This feels such a fitting way to bring this season to a close,” Wigglesworth said. “It will be a real honour to run out in the Black and White against Eddie’s England side. 2019/20 has been a strange and challenging time for us as players, but capping it off by becoming a Barbarian is something I will look back on with great pride.”

While Wigglesworth has 37 international caps to his name - the most recent of which came under Jones in the November 2018 victory over Australia - Wray has not received an international call-up despite being a mainstay in the Saracens side at the same time as the likes of Owen Farrell, Jamie George and George Kruis, having wreaked up 252 appearances.

“It’s going to be a great week and a great match,” Wray said. “I’m always hungry for new experiences in rugby and becoming a BaaBaa is up there with the biggest of honours.

“I’m really excited to be part of the unique Barbarians brand of rugby and I know we’ll all enjoy going out there and giving it our all against England.”

The trio will join former England skipper Robshaw, who was confirmed as the first player among the squad after leaving Harlequins this month ahead of his move to Major League Rugby side San Diego Legion.