Ben Fenner braves the cold along with Anton van Zyl and Will Genia © Getty Images

Friday started with a team meeting at 9.15 with Nick Mallet going over video analysis and all the main threats posed by the Springboks. We then went over to the training ground for our last training session. All of the drills they'd run through in team meetings and in the sports hall over the week were put into practice in the snow. A lot of the guys have never trained in snow before so it was quite a novelty for them. They all took it in their stride though, with Aussie boys Drew Mitchell and captain Matt Giteau jogging out in just shorts and t-shirts.

After another superb lunch, the afternoon was leisure time for the boys to rest and prepare, and get a bit of cheeky shopping in before matchday. I sat down with some of the lads talking about tomorrow and how they were looking forward to their summer (southern hemisphere) break - especially having been on tour for over six weeks now.

The evening started at 18.30, meeting the prestigious Barbarians committee for informal chats with all the players. Then we moved on to watch a Barbarians video with the committee, followed by a great dinner upstairs. I've never seen such a focused group of athletes as the boys look now. I’m incredibly excited for matchday and all that it brings.

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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.

The guys tried to run through some moves despite the gloom and arctic-like conditions © Getty Images

Well we got our first outdoor training session in today. Interesting to see how the team gel together on a pitch - even if it was a pitch covered in snow. Mallett is such an inspirational coach and its clear to see the respect the guys have for him. We trained for about an hour, with the backs and forwards split up. Obviously there was a snowball fight - well that was always going to happen with a couple of inches on the ground!

Spent a bit of time with the back room guys today. Rhys and Matt (in charge of Team Admin) are top boys and work incredibly hard at sorting everything out for the team, from match day logistics to training, to all the admin in the hotel. Wayne the pyhsio (who has a black belt in karate) has been in high demand this week. After a long season the guys are all in need of a bit of TLC and Wayne is the the man on call!! He's bought some new massage oil back from Australia that he says is the business. Hoping to get my session in later on....

Quiet evening planned for later - a lot of the guys are currently chilling around the hotel - a lot of video game and movie action!

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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.

The snow continues to play havoc with the Barbarians' training plans © Getty Images

Wednesday started off slowly as training was again limited because of the weather! It was indoors again because the pitch was covered in snow. The boys ran through some drills - both attacking and defensive. Training didn't last long and it was back on the bus to the hotel for a free afternoon.

After a good lunch in the hotel, some of the lads and I hit London for some Christmas shopping which means I now have something for my wife nice and early! The evening started with a Club drinks reception with both squads. There was some superb canapés on offer which we made the most off. At 7.30 we headed off for a great dinner at San Lorenzo restaurant. The evening was superb with some great singers surprising everyone with some cracking Italian classics!!

This was only topped by some wonderful authentic Italian singing from none other than Salvatore Perugini! A brilliant way to finish the evening.

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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.