While most interested parties were watching goings-on on Sky Sports 1, the Barbarians Twitter machine was kicking into overdrive.
The first half between the Baabaas and an Ireland XV was an entertaining, if tight, affair but the majority of the amusement came from the tweeting necromancer who was making us chuckle throughout the first forty minutes with less than 140 characters.
It took some technical workarounds but it eventually got going after Barbarians’ first score.
Wifi issues but have 1st try. @acuthbert11 saunters over after some delicate interchange from backs #Baabaas #rugby #BARvIRE #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 28, 2015
After Rodrigo Capo Ortega was forced off early on, his replacement was summed up perfectly.
Ortega off after a nasty blow. Hines comes on with demeanour of a bouncer eyeing a stag party. Bang up for it #rugby #BARvIRE #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 28, 2015
Whoomph! @IrishRugby flood breakdown with frankly barbaric intensity. Like Vikings who use Dumbbells Still 5-0 #rugby #BARvIRE #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 28, 2015
The genius was even trying to score a few bob out of the amount of time that Ireland had spent around in the Barbarians 22.
Screw being turned. Ireland camped in #Baabaas 5m. Any longer & it’s a council tax bill #rugby #BARvIRE #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 28, 2015
The volume of Irish scrums was beginning to get to him.
Another scrum. Like kissing that Auntie at Christmas, have to tolerate it. 5-0 after 15 #Baabaas #rugby #BARvIRE #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 28, 2015
The rain is pouring down but so is the black nectar in the stands #Baabaas #rugby #BARvIRE #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 28, 2015
All I can say as it rains is thank God Cliff Richard isn’t here. He’d be singing by now. 5-7 #Baabaas #rugby #BARvIRE #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 28, 2015
.@jamieheaslip is getting through lot of work. Imagine a Duracell bunny that doesn’t skip leg day. 5-7 #rugby #BARvIRE #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 28, 2015
Game is stop start currently due to rain. Fair play though, they’d be coming off at Lords #Baabaas #rugby #BARvIRE #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 28, 2015
Chuckle Brothers stuff from #Baabaas. To you, to me. Good hit from Gilroy ends the probing. 5-7. 29 gone #rugby #BARvIRE #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 28, 2015
This doozy was our personal favourite.
Mikautadze takes a knock. Now there’s a bloke who’d make a marvellous Bond villain. #Baabaas #rugby #BARvIRE #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 28, 2015
Yellow for McGrath. Not sure why. Might have suggested kicking for goal. #Baabaas #rugby #BARvIRE #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 28, 2015
#Baabaas power forward. Slippery ball ends the party again. Bloody nature #Baabaas #rugby #BARvIRE #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 28, 2015
This doozy was our personal favourite.
.@IrishRugby would you like a loyalty card? Makes sense with all these return visits to our 22! Relentless #rugby #BARvIRE #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 28, 2015
Halftime – refuel, re-energise & stay physical. Oh & give it to the wingers #rugby #BARvIRE #rugbyunited pic.twitter.com/p8WnDLZWGC
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 28, 2015
You’ll be happy to hear that the hilarity continued right into the second half.
Moet! Rokocoko with a marvellous no look pass. With flair like that, he should be in interior design #Baabaas #rugby #BARvIRE #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 28, 2015
Leinster score! Whoops, I mean #Baabaas. Very sharp chip, chase & gather from Kirchner. A thing of beauty 10-7 #rugby #BARvIRE #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 28, 2015
Old metronome himself Gopperth adds extras. No surprise. He's Jonny Wilkinson with a Kiwi accent 12-7 #Baabaas #rugby #BARvIRE #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 28, 2015
It wasn’t all gold. But even when it wasn’t, it was respectable silver.
More magic from David Smith. Real handy hands. Agreed, worst pun of 2015. Guilty. #Baabaas #rugby #BARvIRE #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 28, 2015
Dainty dink comes to http://t.co/vjV2rpRcdr defence real deal so far unlike Man U shirt I bought in Hong Kong. #rugby #BARvIRE #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 28, 2015
Tejerizo is prowling around like caged bear in sinbin Keep fingers away from cage kids He's dangerous 12-7. 49 #rugby #BARvIRE #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 28, 2015
We have the sneaking suspicion that he’s a fan of David Smith.
The David Smith Express Train just barrelled forward yet again He doesn't tire, I'll cramp before him #Baabaas #rugby #BARvIRE #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 28, 2015
He was having such fun that he was even beginning to apologise for some Baa Baa’s scores.
Yeah so sorry about this but we just kicked 3 points. I know, I know not entertaining. 15-7 #Baabaas #rugby #BARvIRE #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 28, 2015
Ireland kick to touch after scrum pen.Props will say they know what for. They don't. Nobody ever does #Baabaas #rugby #BARvIRE #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 28, 2015
Adam Jones is tackling hard & with real hunger. Like a puppy after a call of "Walkies!" 15-7. 60. Baabaas #rugby #BARvIRE #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 28, 2015
The Bond-villain gag reared it’s brilliant head once more.
Mikautadze of future dangling James Bond off bridge fame trucks up powerfully. Top talent. Future Bond villain #rugby #BARvIRE #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 28, 2015
More rib cracking defence from #Baabaas. Don't actually have defence coach so not sure how this has happened #rugby #BARvIRE #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 28, 2015
But he gave the Irish side credit where it was due.
Three minutes left & @IrishRugby throwing kitchen sink, bath &sofa at it Back into 22 Reward points racking up #rugby #BARvIRE #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 28, 2015
Try! Well deserved for Ireland. Volume of domestic appliances joining kitchen sink swung it. Con added. 22-21 #rugby #BARvIRE #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 28, 2015
Clock ticking. #Baabaas attacking deep in Irish 22. Several breathing through a straw now. FULL TIME 22-21 #rugby #BARvIRE #rugbyunited
— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) May 28, 2015
Phenomenal. Absolutely bloody phenomenal.
