Both Men and Women sides overcame experienced Barbarian teams to win back-to-back friendlies in Twickenham on Saturday.

Steve Tandy’s side survived a late Baa-baas rally to win back-to-back games for the first time in three years and Sean Lynn’s youth experiment paid off as Wales Women sealed the double-header victory with a 6-try score.

North marks final game with a bang as Wales claim victory over Barbarians

George North closed the curtains on his illustrious career, scoring two tries against his nation who he earned 121 international caps for, with his first score coming as his first touch of the game.

The ex-lion, in his emotional sendoff, was put on the last conversion to score the final points of the game as he stamped his last moment on world rugby.

Dan Edwards stepped up for a Wales side who were missing important names and took the lion’s share of points, scoring two tries and converting two.

Jac Morgan returned to the fray after half a year out of international action, but fellow leader Dewi Lake retained the captain’s armband for the game.

Four out of the six uncapped Wales players in Tandy’s summer squad were given run outs against the Baa-baas including replacement props Ben Warren and Rhys Barratt and Dragons teammates Harrison Keddie and Ryan Woodman.

Wales will be lifted by the result and now prepare for their opening Summer Nations series against Fiji next week.

Tandy said: “Getting the win is great for us, and there’s lots to like about the game,”

“We probably could have put more distance in it in the first-half, but it’s a brilliant hit-out for us. There’s lots to learn and get better at, but it’s everything we wanted going into Fiji, because that’s going to be chaotic at times.

“We’ve got to be better, we’ve got to keep looking at ourselves because I still don’t think we’re ready yet to be focusing on the bigger outcome. We have to be more consistent right across the board, which this group are fighting tirelessly to do.

“We want to build and be more consistent. If we are seeing more consistency in our performance, I’m going to be very happy, because that’ll be closer to winning games.”

It’s great preparation. You can train as much as you want and the boys have worked hard, but there’s nothing quite like feeling it in this heat against a Barbarians team that are going to keep the ball.”

Sean Lynn’s Wales end winless run as young side pips Barbarians

Wales Women’s head coach Sean Lynn fielded 11 players on matchday aged 22 or younger who put in a convincing performance to end a nine game losing streak.

Squad staples Alex Callender and Alisha Joyce returned to provide a spark in the team, but it was the young players who stood out, namely the uncapped wing Amy Williams who scored two tries.

Jorja Aiono added a sixth try late on to mark the Wales prospect’s influence and finish the game 34-17. The downside of the performance came late as Nel Metcalfe suffered another injury after returning to action after missing the Six Nations Tournament.

Lynn and co have recorded a much needed win as they look ahead to hosting the WXV Global Series in September.

Lynn said: “We know that we’ve got a lot to work on but that win is going to build momentum for us,

“Let’s not get carried away with it, it was amazing we got a win but we still have to work hard after enjoying it.

“This has given exposure to individuals coming into the camp,

“You can’t just put them into Test match rugby, this was the perfect opportunity for us to play the next generation.”

We are still not there with our conditioning and know that is a work-on,

“Gareth Harris, our strength and conditioning coach, has been outstanding. Over the last three weeks we have been putting in the extra yards but we still need to move the dial and work harder.”

Returning back-row Alex Callender said: “There is a buzz and we have needed that,”

We have lacked strength in depth in certain positions over the last couple of years. It’s credit to the pathway that these girls are developing and can step up to the international scene and be physically and mentally ready.”

If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.

Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.

You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.