The Barbarians squad to take on New Zealand in Saturday's international at Twickenham is packed with world stars but does not feature a single British-based player.
Sale loose forward Chris Jones, London Irish three-quarter Mike Catt and Saracens' Thomas Castaignede were amongst the first names to be announced for the fixture - only for all three to be withdrawn.
Jones is recovering from an operation on his hand, Catt damaged a calf playing for the Exiles at the weekend while Castaignede was not released by Saracens after only just returning from injury.
Australian coach Bob Dwyer was disappointed the trio had withdrawn but insisted the ethos of the Barbarians is about more than just selecting home players.
``The Barbarians is about picking players who want to play and who are available to play and I think if we start to worry about where players came from that would destroy the whole concept of the Barbarians,'' said Dwyer. ``It is an invitation side, you are invited to play and nearly 100% of guys jump at the chance.
``Some years ago we picked Lewis Moody as our uncapped player. Lewis was over the moon to be picked but a week before the game he got injured and couldn't play. It has been going since forever. We were very keen to play Chris Jones but four weeks ago it was decided he couldn't go any longer without having an operation on his hand.''
The World Cup winning coach did have the cream of the southern hemisphere to select from, including New Zealand scrum-half Justin Marshall who will captain the Barbarians against his countrymen.
Dwyer has delayed naming his starting XV until Thursday as a number of players continue to recover from knocks they picked up in the weekend Test matches, but the Barbarians squad includes the glittering talents of Matt Giteau, who was the architect of Australia's victory over England on Saturday, and world player of the year Schalk Burger.
Dwyer did confirm his plans for Giteau to play fly-half outside Marshall and the Barbarians boast rich options through the backs with Wallabies Chris Latham, Mat Rogers and Lote Tuqiri all in the squad.
Australia, who finished their European tour with last week's victory over England, provide 10 members of the 22-man squad, including Dan Vickerman, the electrifying Radike Samo and vice-captain Phil Waugh. South African hooker Gary Botha is the traditional uncapped player in the squad.
In an already packed international calendar, some have questioned whether there is still room for the Barbarians but Dwyer argued the professional era makes the traditional Baa-Baas fixture all the more relevant. ``I think the more intense the international season becomes, the more attractive the Barbarians fixture becomes,'' he said. ``The spirit and content of the preparation, it gives the players a new lease of life.
``When we were young we used to love going down the park with our mates for a game of footie and I think the Barbarians fixture is a return to that attitude. The purpose of the game is a celebration of the game itself. The game of rugby, in the way the laws are framed, offers massive scope for individual players to exhibit their talents and to benefit from the talents of others around them.
``The Barbarians, more than any other fixture, exemplifies that. I think nothing could be more honourable than a celebration of what the game offers.''
In front of over 54,000 at Twickenham, the Barbarians will face a New Zealand side featuring only two players who started last Saturday's rousing victory over France in Paris.
Full-back Mils Muliaina and wing Doug Howlett are the sole survivors for the non-cap international, with Tana Umaga and Daniel Carter among the replacements.
Fly-half Aaron Mauger will captain a development side as coach Graham Henry takes the opportunity to blood a host of youngsters including prop Saimone
Taumoepeau, scrum-half Jimmy Cowan, number eight Steven Bates and openside flanker Jerome Kaino.
The game, New Zealand's first against the Barbarians since 1993, marks the end of the All Blacks' successful European tour which heralded Test victories over Italy, Wales and France.
``I think it will be very important for them in the context of the tour,'' said Marshall, who was rested for the trip by Henry.
``Obviously they have performed really well. It will add some spice with players who have not played for the All Blacks before. ``They will bring enthusiasm and inject a lot into the game. I don't think there will be any staleness on their part, they will be very determined to
perform well.''
Barbarians squad :
Backs - M Rogers (Australia), W Greef (South Africa, L Tuqiri (Australia), G Bobo (South Africa), S Bobo (Fiji), C Latham (Australia), M Giteau (Australia), M Turinui (Australia), J Marshall (New Zealand, capt)
Forwards - F Rautenbach (South Africa), B Young (Australia), A Lo Cicero (Italy), S Tongauiha (Tonga), B Cannon (Australia), G Botha (South Africa), A Van Den Bergh (South Africa), D Vickerman (Australia), R Samo (Australia), P Waugh (Australia), X Rush (New Zealand), S Burger (South Africa), AJ Venter (South Africa)