DRAGONS hooker Elliot Dee has been lined up to play for the World XV against the Barbarians in a star-studded clash at Twickenham at the end of the month.
The Wales international has been approached by Steve Hansen to be in a squad that is poised to include the likes of Semi Radradra, Ngani Laumape, Nick Phipps, Adam Hastings, Joe Launchbury and Rhys Patchell.
The Barbarians line-up, coached by Eddie Jones, will feature Wales stars Taulupe Faletau, Alun Wyn Jones and Rhys Webb plus Andre Esterhuizen, Jonny May, Jack Nowell, Sam Simmonds, Joe Marler and Dan Cole.
Dee is an outsider for Warren Gatland’s World Cup training squad, which is being announced on Monday.
The 29-year-old from Newbridge won the last of his 41 caps against Australia in November 2021 but, after being unavailable for the Six Nations while on the comeback trail from knee surgery, could be in the selection mix.
Ken Owens, Bradley Roberts, Ryan Elias, Dewi Lake, Sam Parry and Scott Baldwin are the other contenders for the extended squad.
Dee was a key figure at the end of Gatland’s first spell in charge but admitted at the start of the month that he’s got his work cut out after an injury-hit campaign.
“I haven’t given up on the dream of playing for Wales,” said the forward, who has signed fresh terms with the Dragons.
“I don’t feel that I am any less of a player, I just haven’t been able to get a run of games and a bit of luck.
“I am aware I am probably starting from the bottom but I still feel I have plenty to offer.”
Dee put in a strong performance against the Scarlets at Judgement Day – with his superb long pass sparking the move for Jordan Williams’ try – and if he does get the call from Gatland then he could stay sharp by featuring at Twickenham on Sunday, May 28 (kick-off 2pm).
“Traditionally, you want a Barbarians game to be open and flowing, and a World XV game is the same,” said Hansen in March.
“This event gets you a combination of both those teams – and both coaches will treat it with the respect that it deserves.
“Whilst both sides will have a little bit of fun during the week, come Saturday they’ll have the freedom to express themselves and pour it out on the park.
“I’m sure we’ll see a wonderfully high-skilled spectacle that hopefully people will come along and really, really enjoy.”
The tickets for the fixture, which is the day after the English Premiership final, start at an early bird price of £25 for adults and £15 for under-16s at ticketmaster.co.uk/barbarians
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