Ireland centre Bundee Aki will lead the Barbarians against England for the non-cap fixture at Twickenham.

Tonga rugby players must be ardently hoping that they never again encounter the conditions prevailing at Thomond Park last night.

Munster props James Cronin and Brian Scott, Connacht second-row Quinn Roux and Leinster’s Jordi Murphy make their first starts in the famous colours of the Barbarians who face Tonga at Thomond Park tonight (7.30pm).

The prospect of playing for the Barbarians against Tonga tomorrow night and in the same side as Donncha O’Callaghan is helping Munster’s James Cronin forget the injuries that have plagued and seriously damaged his career — with the prop now hopeful better times must surely lie ahead.

Munster legend Donncha O’Callaghan will join Munster players James Cronin and Brian Scott for the Barbarians’ clash against Tonga on Friday night in Thomond Park.

The squad is made up of players with a combined 1,018 international caps.

England rounded off a challenging week by overwhelming the Barbarians 73-12 at Twickenham in a record 10-try rout orchestrated by Danny Cipriani.

Ireland's Jack McGrath and Ian Madigan have avoided citings after last night's match against the Barbarians at Thomond Park.

Joe Schmidt has said the Chris Henry is back in his thinking for the World Cup, despite being out for almost five months because of heart surgery.

Barbarians 22 Ireland 21

Hmmm, this better not mean they think they are in for an easy win at Thomond.

The retiring Shane Jennings is set to go out on a high when captaining the Barbarians against Ireland at Thomond Park tomorrow night.

Joe Schmidt has named an inexperienced squad backboned, as expected, by Leinster players for this Thursday’s meeting with the Barbarians in Limerick’s Thomond Park.

Shane Jennings will make the final appearances of his professional career for the Barbarians against Ireland and England.

“Ireland are very well-placed I think right now, the timing of this World Cup is good for them."

All Blacks legend Joe Rokocoko is set to make his first return to Thomond Park since scoring the winning try against Munster seven years ago after being confirmed for the Barbarians squad to face an Ireland XV in Limerick on May 28.

Toulon try-machine David Smith, All Blacks legend Joe Rokocoko and New Zealand centre Rene Ranger are to join up with the Barbarians squad to face Ireland and England next month.

Ireland will face a different kind of pressure when they take on the Barbarians next month, says Donncha O’Callaghan.

Nick Cummins apologises as he momentarily loses his train of thought while discussing lining up for the Barbarians against Australia, the country of his birth, at Twickenham on Saturday.