Core of Drua players to make up Flying Fijians squad to play Barbarians this weekend

Fiji Water Flying Fijians coach Mick Byrne confirms that there will be a core of the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua players that will make up the squad to play the Barbarians in the Killik Cup this weekend due to the unavailability of most Northern Hemisphere-based players.

Byrne has also confirmed that a few Fijian Drua players who were not named in the 33-member squad for the June and July tests with the likes of Waqa Nalaga, Apisalome Vota, Samuela Tawake and Emosi Tuqiri to name a few will be travelling with the team to London tonight.

He says only Vilimoni Botitu, who is a Northern Hemisphere-based player, has been released from his club to join the Flying Fijians team for this weekend.

Byrne has also confirmed that Waratahs utility back and former Fiji Bati player Vuate Karawalevu has joined the squad.

When asked if Melbourne Rebels lock Angelo Smith is in the squad as well, Byrne says he was informed by Smith that he is heading back to Australia with no reason from him.

The Flying Fijians will fly out of the country for London at 9.45 tonight.

They will take on the Barbarians at 4.15am Sunday at Twickenham Stadium in London.