Ben takes in the Barbarians' team meeting at the team hotel on Tuesday © Getty Images

Tuesday started with all the lads having breakfast followed by a team meeting. Nick was going over attacking options from lineouts, rucks, scrums etc with everyone ahead of our first training session later in the day. It all looks incredibly complicated, but all the boys took it in their stride and seemed to know exactly what to do. Our set piece play at the Viscounts is nowhere near as difficult.

From the hotel it was off to training, although due to the snowy and cold weather, we were inside. Everyone split off into their units - forwards practicing lineout calls and jumps, and the backs had a game of basketball as they couldn't do any running. After a while, the whole squad walked through scrum and ruck moves - I was picking up tips all day, especially off Mealamu and Moore. The other members of the benumber23 finalist day turned up to watch training, which was great chatting to them about my week so far.

Lunch was back at the hotel - a fantastic steak, and then all the lads had to do their media commitments for the game - Sky Sports, SA TV, and all the papers. Once that was finished, we travelled over to Canary Wharf for a pub-style quiz with employees of MasterCard. The Baa-Baas were split between the tables, and proved to be great help in the quiz.

Off out for a few quiet ones now with the boys as there is a free day tomorrow for everyone so people will be shopping, some doing media commitments (again!) and others just chilling.

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Twenty-five-year-old teacher Ben Fenner is spending this week as a Barbarian, staying with the star – studded team in their five-star central London hotel in the run up to the MasterCard Trophy game against South Africa at Twickenham on December 4. He’s writing an exclusive diary for ESPNscrum, detailing his week with the team as No.23...

To get all the behind-the-scenes action and news from Ben’s week with the Barbarians go to www.benumber23.com/priceless. MasterCard card holders can also get 20% off tickets to the big game at the site.

Ben Fenner poses with Baa Baas team-mates Drew Mitchell and Matt Giteau © Getty Images

We had our first team event in the hotel last night, a president’s reception hosted by Micky Steele-Bodger himself and then a team dinner. The Aussies were in particularly good form and are such friendly guys. It’s amazing when you see them on television and then there they are in front of you.

Looks like there will be no training today due to the bad weather, but we had a team meeting led by Nick Mallet, a very impressive speaker and coach and I’m picking up tips. The boys were then all given their kit in the team room and we had a full run down of what the week has in store for us. Not everyone here has played for the Baa Baas before so I guess some of us are in the same boat.

We’ve got a free afternoon today so a lot of the guys are heading into town...and to Winter Wonderland. There is talk of a ‘training on ice’ photo stunt later this week. Adam Ashley-Cooper seems keen but I think I’ll opt out if I can...

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Twenty five-year-old teacher Ben Fenner is spending this week as a Barbarian, staying with the star – studded team in their five-star central London hotel in the run up to the MasterCard Trophy game against South Africa at Twickenham on December 4. He’s writing an exclusive diary for ESPNscrum, detailing his week with the team as No.23...

To get all the behind-the-scenes action and news from Ben’s week with the Barbarians go to www.benumber23.com/priceless. MasterCard card holders can also get 20% off tickets to the big game at the site.

Ben Fenner gets settled in at the team hotel © Getty Images

I arrived at the hotel to be met by the Baa Baas’ team representatives. And what an amazing hotel! I can’t believe I’m going to be here for a week, living with some of the biggest names in world rugby. The finalists’ day - when I got to meet Will Greenwood at Twickenham – was such a privilege; I just can’t imagine what this week has in store for me.

Rhys, one of the kit guys, gave me my bag – No.23 of course – with all the Baa Baas stash. Some great bits of kit in there, including a beanie, which I think will be much needed. I have to make sure I am wearing the right kit at the right time what with training, team events and formal functions. Good job I brought my club tie.

The team arrived slowly, with the guys coming from so many locations after the end of the autumn internationals. The Kiwis arrived from Cardiff, the Aussies from France and the rest of the team throughout the day. Enjoyed a relaxed lunch with Anton Van Zyl from Western Province – a top guy.

The rest of the team is looking pretty impressive too:

James O'Connor (Aus), Joe Rococoko (NZ), Adam Ashley-Cooper (Aus), Ma'a Nonu (NZ), Drew Mitchell (Aus), Matt Giteau (Aus, capt), Will Genia (Aus), Salvatore Perugini (It), Stephen Moore (Aus), Neemia Tialata (NZ), Anton van Zyl (Stormers), Chris Jack (NZ), Rodney So'oialo (NZ), Martyn Williams (Wales), Colin Bourke (Chiefs)

Replacements: Keven Mealamu (NZ), John Yapp (Wales), Quintin Geldenhuys (It), Daniel Braid (NZ), Andy Ellis (NZ), Stephen Donald (NZ), Seru Rabini (Fij)

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Twenty five-year-old teacher Ben Fenner is spending this week as a Barbarian, staying with the star-studded team in their five-star central London hotel in the run-up to the MasterCard Trophy game against South Africa at Twickenham on December 4. He’s writing an exclusive diary for ESPNscrum, detailing his week with the team as No.23.

To get all the behind-the-scenes action and news from Ben’s week with the Barbarians go to www.benumber23.com/priceless. MasterCard card holders can also get 20% off tickets to the big game at the site.

Ben Fenner makes himself at home with the Barbarians © Getty Images

MasterCard competition winner Ben Fenner, a teacher from Somerset, is spending a week living, eating and training with the all-star squad, including Martyn Williams and Matt Giteau, as the 23rd member of the Barbarians squad for The MasterCard Trophy.

Stay tuned for full details...