Ken Matthews August 22, 2008

Denver Barbarians' Eightman Pat Quinn, Lock John Van der Giessen, and Lock Hayden Smith will serve in the forwards for the United States of America in tomorrow's match against European Club Champion Munster, Ireland at University of Connecticut's Rentschler Field. Kick off in East Hartford is set for 1:00 pm Mountain Time.

Quinn and Van der Giessen were starters for the national rugby team, known as the Eagles, two weeks ago in Charleston, SC against professional French club Clermont Auvergne. Both men played the entire match. Quinn, 6'4", 245 pound Barbarian veteran, was cited by the USA coach Scott Johnson for his outstanding play against the French pros. Quinn made several huge defensive plays and showed his tremendous speed on several occasions, running down speedy French backs for open field plays. The USA-Munster match in East Hartford will be a homecoming for Quinn, who hails from Connecticut and is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire.

Smith, 6'6", 245 pound former Metro State scholarship basketball star who learned his rugby as a schoolboy in Australia, played with the Barbarians last Spring before a series of selection trials landed him on the All-American collegiate squad that toured New Zealand in July for three matches against Kiwi college sides. Following that tour, Smith played in the North American 4 competition (2 USA and 2 Canadian All-Star teams) before being elevated to full International status with the Eagles.

Van der Giessen, a 6'6", 240 pound Idaho native, played the past Rugby Super League season with the Barbarians after being on the 2007 USA Rugby World Cup team that competed for that Championship in France last fall. Van der Giessen has become a staple on the USA national team and has been their most steady line-out performer. Due to his consistent performances with the Barbarians and the USA Eagles, several European professional teams, to bolster their rosters for the upcoming European rugby season, are courting Van der Giessen.

About Denver Barbarians Rugby Club

The Denver Barbarians Rugby Club was founded in 1967.The Barbos have supplied many players to all levels of select side play including the Eagles, the United States National Team. In addition, many referees, coaches, and administrators at all levels have emerged from the Barbos ranks. The Club has won championships at the National, Territorial, and Local level in both 15's and seven-a-side play.