Retired Marler to face England with Barbarians

Retired England international Joe Marler will face his country next month after he was named Monday in the Barbarians squad for this weekend's fixture.

Prop Marler, 28, announced a shock retirement in September due to family reasons but still plays for club Harlequins and is among a 23-man side name by the invitational outfit coached by Pat Lam.

Former Australia captain James Horwill will play his final game on Sunday before hanging up his boots.

The squad also includes World Cup winners Colin Slade, Liam Messam, Malakai Fekitoa and John Afoa as well as Wales scrum-half Rhys Webb who is ineligible to feature at this year's tournament as he plays outside his home nation and has fewer than 60 caps to his name.

England have named an inexperienced group for the uncapped fixture containing youngster Marcus Smith who will miss the Under-20 World Cup in Argentina due to the call-up.

Welsh-born Bristol playmaker Callum Sheedy is another option at fly-half for head coach Jim Mallinder.

Barbarians squad to play England XV in an uncapped match on June 2:

Forwards: Joe Marler, Pierre Schoeman, John Afoa, Finlay Bealham, David Heffernan, Richard Hibbard, James Horwill, Chris Vui, Steven Luatua, Facundo Isa, Liam Messam, Viliame Mata, Francois Louw

Backs: Rhys Webb, Rhodri Williams, Colin Slade, Brock James, Mark Atkinson, Malakai Fekitoa, Filipo Nakosi, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Niyi Adeolokun, Charles Piutau

England XV squad:

Forwards: Josh Beaumont, Ben Curry, Alex Dombrandt, Tom Dunn, Tom Ellis, Ross Harrison, Teimana Harrison, Paul Hill, Beno Obano, Ehren Painter, Will Spencer, Elliott Stooke, Tommy Taylor

Backs: Josh Bassett, Simon Hammersley, Ben Loader, Joe Marchant, Alex Mitchell, Piers O'Conor, Callum Sheedy, Marcus Smith, Ben White, Johnny Williams

? 2019 AFP