Wales v Barbarians: Ospreys captain Justin Tipuric admits 'difficult decision' to miss Sharks match
- Published
Justin Tipuric played 93 internationals for Wales and was involved in the fixture against the Barbarians in 2019
Ospreys captain Justin Tipuric admits it was a difficult decision to miss a United Rugby Championships (URC) match to play for Barbarians against Wales.
Tipuric will play in Saturday's game at the Principality Stadium.
This will be rather than leading Ospreys in their 'home' URC match in London against Sharks on Friday night.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to face my home nation and play against some of my best mates," said back row Tipuric.
"I'm honoured to be given the opportunity to play for the Barbarians against Wales."
The 34-year-old flanker was given the blessing of Ospreys head coach Toby Booth to miss the game against Sharks, which they have opted to switch to Harlequins' ground, the Twickenham Stoop.
Their usual ground in Swansea is unavailable because of the Championship football match between Swansea City and Sunderland the following day.
It is one of three matches Ospreys will have to move this season because the fixtures of landlords Swansea City take precedence at the Swansea.com Stadium.
On this occasion, Ospreys have decided to branch out and try to attract a new audience in London, with many Welsh ex-pats and South Africans living in the British capital.
Ospreys are missing the likes of Tipuric and World Cup stars Jac Morgan, Dewi Lake, Adam Beard and George North, who are all involved with the Wales and Barbarians match. Sharks also have none of their resting Springboks World Cup-winning stars.
"It was a difficult decision to make," said Tipuric.
"It's a shame the game falls on the same weekend as Ospreys' first game in London against the Sharks, which is important to the club and a game I was looking forward to.
"After discussing it with Toby and the team, I'm incredibly grateful the Ospreys are supportive of my decision and have allowed me to play for the Barbarians."
Tipuric announced his international retirement on the same day as Alun Wyn Jones in May 2023, meaning the pair missed the World Cup in France.
Jones and Tipuric are both involved in the Barbarians squad for the uncapped match against Wales where they will be able to say goodbye to the Welsh fans.
Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny will also line up in the red jersey for the final time after announcing his international retirement.
"Ospreys man"
"I know it was very difficult for Justin and us but we want to do what is right for our people," said Booth.
"We try and put our people first and I have attempted to do that ever since I have been here and get what the team needs as well as the individual.
"Justin approached me about it and it's a unique opportunity. He announced his international retirement before the World Cup and did an almost typical Justin Tipuric type thing. He didn't like the limelight and disappeared.
"If it wasn't against Wales he wouldn't have asked. He is playing with some of his oldest team-mates and it is a chance to finish off playing with and against the people he has made his name with."
Booth praised Tipuric's commitment to the Ospreys after he passed 200 appearance for the region this season and produced a man-of-the-match display against Zebre last weekend.
"Justin is an Ospreys man," said Booth.
"You saw by his performance last week how influential he is in the game. He has played his 200th game like his 20th and still has that energy and enthusiasm.
"He has already text me a number of times this week asking how training is going. He cares deeply about the organisation.
"I am glad we could grant his wish to sign off on his terms and the players respect that.
"It is not just him we are missing. We are depleted with the Baa-baas game anyway so we will look at the opportunity it gives the likes of Morgan Morse and Harri Deaves."