O’Kelly’s chance to go out on high note

MALCOLM O’KELLY will be afforded the opportunity to round off his long professional career on a high when he lines out for the Barbarians against Ireland at Thomond Park on Friday night (7.45 p.m).

Barbarians coach Philippe Saint-Andre yesterday named the veteran Leinster, Ireland and Lions second row in a team that also includes home-based Irish international Alan Quinlan and Paul Warwick, as well as several top players from around the world, expecting them to test Ireland fully before the national squad depart on tour to New Zealand and Australia.

Following their 35-26 defeat by England at Twickenham, the Xavier Rush led Ba-Ba’s will be seeking to finish this short tour on a high and the look of class both within the team and on the bench suggests they will give it their best shot.