sport news George Kruis delighted to sign off in iconic shirt when Barbarians play England ... trends now
George Kruis is sitting in the lobby of the five-star Hermitage Hotel in Monte Carlo, surrounded by socialites and turbocharged sports cars, trying to remember his first-ever interview.
He has been a household name in English rugby for the best part of a decade but now, at the age of just 32, he is ready to deliver his final interview before he hangs up his boots.
‘I can guarantee you it would have been shocking,’ laughs Kruis, who is at the Barbarians training camp in Monaco. ‘I’ve never really been one for the media-facing stuff — unless it’s to plug my business! When I retire on Sunday I’ll be more than happy to sneak off into the background and live a quiet-ish life.’
George Kruis will hang up his boots after playing for the Barbarians against England on Sunday
Just across the room, beside the exquisite art on the walls, giant lock Will Skelton is trying to catch his eye, motioning to go for a post-training pint in the spirit of the Barbarians.
‘The camaraderie is what I’ll miss,’ he says. ‘It does feel a touch weird that this is my last week, but I’ve known I’m going to retire for three or four months now.
‘It’s settled in and I’m genuinely pumped about finishing up in a Baa-Baas shirt against England. This is something I’ve always wanted to do. I’m rooming with Skelton and it’s great to link back up with a player who I spent a good bit of my career with at Saracens.
‘We went to the palace this week, hosted by Prince Albert, who is an absolute boss. You don’t get to do these things too often.
Kruis is excited to bow out against England having last played for them back in 2020
‘I’ve been fortunate to make so many different styles of memories. I’ve been able to play in Japan, go to different stadiums, meet different people. But I’m ready to move on to the next chapter and I’m super excited about that.’
Kruis is intent on finishing up with a victory. This Barbarians team is loaded with French internationals — and headed up by their entire coaching team — and he is still sweating from a gruelling 30˚C (86˚F) training session as we speak. They have watched clips of late Baa-Baas icon Phil Bennett in meetings and want to honour his memory with a display of style and
