O'Driscoll and D'Arcy for Baa-Baas three-match British tour

IRELAND centres Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy have agreed to play for the Barbarians on next month's three-match tour of Britain.

Fellow Irish internationals Malcolm O'Kelly, Geordan Murphy and David Humphreys have also been included.

This year's tour features matches against Scotland, Wales and England.

Also in action for the Baa-Baas will be southern hemisphere stars Joe Roff, Matt Burke, Nathan Grey, Corne Krige and Bobby Skinstad. "I was extremely fortunate to obtain my first and only appearance to date for the Barbarians against South Africa in 2000 at the Millennium Stadium, when I had a handful of caps only," said O'Driscoll.

"Playing beside the likes of Lawrence Dallaglio, Carlos Spencer, Chris Latham, Daniel Herbert, Agustín Pichot and Christian Cullen was simply an awe-inspiring experience at the start of my international career. The Barbarian style of play allows for greater space and running opportunities, which any back relishes, so I was thrilled to be invited again."

The Irish skipper's centre partner for club and country, Gordon D'Arcy, is another to have answered the Baa-baas call as have fly-half David Humphreys and veteran lock Malcolm O'Kelly.

"It has always been an ambition of mine to play for the Baa-baas," said D'Arcy, who won the RBS Six Nations Player of the Tournament Award. "Many Irish legends have represented the club before me and it is a great honour to be invited.

"Some of the current Irish players have reminisced about their fantastic experiences when playing for the Baa-Baas and I am looking forward for the first time to be playing with some international stars from other countries."

The 17 players already confirmed comprise a staggering 884 Test caps, and Baa-Baas president Micky Steele-Bodger stated that the remaining berths on the squad sheet would be filled more yet more talent.

"The club will have finalised the squad by the second week in May, when it will feature many high-profile international players from most of the rugby nations," said Mr Steele- Bodger.

"I am especially grateful to Brian, Geordon, David and Malcolm, who have recently accepted and hopefully will add some of the same Gaelic flair on the tour that we observed in the Six Nations."

Barbarians Preliminary squad:

Forwards: J Leonard (England and Harlequins), S Quinnell (Wales and Llanelli Scarlets), T Randell (New Zealand and Saracens), C Krige (South Africa and Stormers), O Finegan (Australia and ACT Brumbies), M O'Kelly (Ireland and Leinster), B Skinstad (South Africa and Newport Gwent Dragons).

Backs: B O'Driscoll (Ireland and Leinster), J Roff (Australia and ACT Brumbies), G D'Arcy (Ireland and Leinster), T Castaignède (France and Saracens), P Montgomery (South Africa and Newport Gwent Dragons), D Humphries (Ireland and Ulster), C Latham (Australia and Queensland Reds), M Burke (Australia and NSW Waratahs), G Murphy (Ireland and Leicester Tigers), N Grey (Australia and NSW Waratahs).