Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe set to retire after captaining Barbarians
Argentina international Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe is set to sign off from professional rugby following the Quilter Cup clash against England where he leads Barbarians.
The 36-year-old made his professional rugby debut with Argentine sports club Liceo Naval in 2000 and switched to Sale Sharks in 2006. After a three-year stint with the Aviva Premiership club Fernandez Lobbe joined Toulon in 2009 and has been an integral part of the French club since then enjoying European and domestic title successes.
"It's a real honour to lead the Barbarians.
"Since I was a kid I've been watching them play, and to me they represent the purest values of rugby.
"Playing England is a massive challenge as they are a top nation, but we have the sort of players here who love that kind of challenge.
"It's my last game ever, but I'm OK and at peace.
"I've been thinking about it for a long time, and this last year I've enjoyed every minute."
Fernandez Lobbe has featured for Argentina in 71 Tests since his debut in August 2004 but his last appearance for the Pumas came during the 2015 World Cup clash against South Africa.
Barbarians squad:
Backs:
Niyi Adeolokun (Connacht & Ireland), Bundee Aki (Connacht & Ireland), Chris Ashton (Toulon & England), Greig Laidlaw (Clermont & Scotland), Luke McAlister (Toulon & New Zealand), AJ McGinty (Sale Sharks & USA), Charles Piutau (Ulster & New Zealand), Semi Radradra (Toulon), Josua Tuisova (Toulon & Fiji), Rhodri Williams (Dragons & Wales)
Forwards:
John Afoa (Gloucester & New Zealand), Ultan Dillane (Connacht & Ireland), Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (Toulon & Argentina), Ramiro Herrera (Stade Francais & Argentina), Benjamin Kayser (Clermont & France), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Leicester & Australia), Sateki Timani (Clermont & Australia), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys & Wales), Loni Uhila (Clermont), Flip van der Merwe (Clermont & South Africa), Victor Vito (La Rochelle & New Zealand)
