Wasps boss to coach The Barbarians (From Bucks Free Press)

Young handed role with Baa Baas

9:48am Tuesday 23rd October 2012 in Sport By Alan Feldberg

WASPS director of rugby Dai Young will coach the Barbarians against England and The Lions next summer.

Young most recently coached The Barbarians to victory over England last year, and will lead them against Stuart Lancaster’s team at Twickenham on May 26 and then the Lions in Hong Kong on June 1.

He said: ““I have been privileged to coach the Barbarians on three previous summer tours in recent years but never mind how many times I am invited it is always an honour and one that I cherish.

“It is also a big responsibility to uphold the traditions of the Barbarians and to get the best out of the fantastic group of players they invariably assemble for these matches.

“This will be even more so next summer. The annual game against England is a big enough occasion it itself but to play the Lions on the first match of their own major tour is really a case of the icing on the cake. It promises to be a tremendous tour and all those of us involved will be committed to making it a big success.”

Former Lions player Derek Quinnell will manage the team.

He said: "I have worked with him before – though it seems a long time ago that I was in the Wales' coaching set-up with Tony Gray and we sent for Dai to join our squad for the quarter-final of the first Rugby World Cup in 1987.

“He was a young 19-year-old prop at the time but was equal to the task and two years later he was back in Australia with the Lions and an automatic choice for the test team that won the series.

“The other great thing about Dai is that as a player and now an experienced and successful coach he undertstands what makes the Barbarians tick and fully respects and furthers the traditions of our club.”