Baa-Baas call for Waldrom

Thomas Waldrom gets the chance to showcase his try-scoring talents for the Barbarians after being called up for next week’s big games against Ireland and England.

The Exeter chiefs No.8 was the Aviva Premiership’s leading try scorer after touching down 16 times in his debut season at Sandy Park after signing from Leicester Tigers.

He won five England caps in 2012 and 2013 but didn’t make this year’s World Cup training squad with Head Coach Stuart Lancaster admitting: "He’s had a superb season and he’s unlucky to miss out."

But rather than protest about his exclusion, Waldrom is looking forward to expressing himself for the side coached by Robbie Deans in the games against Ireland on May 28 and an England XV on May 31.

And he’s already thinking about contributing some ideas for plays to unsettle the opposition at Thomond Park and Twickenham.

Waldrom said: “It’ll be an enjoyable week. Playing for the Barbarians is a great experience and an honour, they enjoy their rugby and express themselves and I’ll really enjoy being part of that.

“It’s all about having the chance to express yourself and enjoying the game. I’m sure Robbie Deans will have some great moves for us to come up with in the games.

"I’ll probably go back and have a look at some of those old All Blacks flick moves from the early 1990s and see if we can find something special.”

Exeter were edged out of the Premiership play-offs on the final day of the regular season, finishing adrift of Saracens on points difference.

It was their most successful campaign in five seasons in the top flight in terms of both wins (14) and points (68) as they finished in fifth place.

“Exeter has gone even better than I expected and it’s a great team to be involved with,” said Waldrom. "Everyone buys in to what we’re trying to do and the culture is very special - you want to be part of an environment like that.

"Now we’ve established ourselves and we’re playing some decent rugby so we want to keep on improving and take the next step up.

"We were short [on points difference] by 20 points. That’s one point a game over the course of a season and we’re almost there.”

Tickets for the Ireland v Barbarians match are priced from €30 and family (1 adult & 1 junior) terrace packs from €25 at www.ticketmaster.ie or 0818 719 300.

Tickets for the England XV v Barbarians match are priced from £35 and £15 for juniors (U16) at www.ticketmaster.co.uk or 0844 847 2492.