France’s Grand Slam-winning coach Fabien Galthie confirmed on Wednesday he is to take charge of invitational side the Barbarians for a match against England in June.

The match is scheduled for 19 June at Twickenham, the same weekend as the Top 14 semi-finals and just before the departure of the France team to Japan, against whom they will play two Tests on 2 and 9 July.

“We’ll leave for Japan without those players taking part in the finals,” Galthie said, adding that some players called up for Japan, including Toulon back rower Charles Ollivon, could turn out for the Barbarians.

Other players in line for a call-up to the invitational side could also include ex-England lock George Kruis (Panasonic Wild Knights), Scotland flyhalf Finn Russell (Racing 92), South African speedster Cheslin Kolbe (Toulon) and England scrumhalf Danny Care (Harlequins), according to Galthie.

© Agence France-Presse