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Famous Welsh rugby club announce 'biggest fixture in a generation' against Barbarians

Swansea rugby club will close their 150th season by playing their first fixture against the Barbarians in almost 30 years.

They have arranged to face the world-famous invitation club at St Helen’s on May 31 in a match that will mark the end of a landmark campaign for the club.

On social media, the club styled the game as “the biggest Swansea RFC fixture in a generation”.

Read more: The day two Welsh schoolboys shock the rugby world as Swansea beat the All Blacks

The Barbarians will travel to south-west Wales after facing the Rest of the World at Twickenham on May 28 with a squad for the London encounter that's set to contain the likes of Andre Esterhuizen, Aaron Cruden, Alun Wyn Jones, Danny Care and Sam Simmonds. It's unclear what sort of line-up will take the field in Swansea.

The match at St Helen's will certainly bring back memories, with the Baa-Baas once regular visitors to the famous seaside ground, taking on Swansea during their Easter tour of Wales.

Penarth would be played on Good Friday, Cardiff on Easter Saturday and the Whites on Easter Monday before matters would conclude with a game against Newport the following day.

The fixture with Swansea was first played in 1901, with the annual jousts ending in 1994 as the professional era kicked in. The last time the teams played saw 72 points scored as the hosts won a dazzling encounter 41-31.

To further mark their milestone season, the Whites will host a gala dinner at the Swansea Arena on May 26, with 350 tickets already sold. The club have also held a number of rugby tournaments throughout the year, a business lunch, a golf day and captured their historic century and a half via a celebratory brochure.

Barbarian David Pickering for support during the game against Swansea at St Helens in April 1983 (Mirrorpix)

They have also worn a special kit for matches, reflecting the original strip worn by Swansea RFC in a cardinal purple colour.

The Baa-Baas clash will be the culmination of year-long efforts by a club who have always known how to do things with style.

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