Irish stars to face Baa-Baas

Ireland will field a star-studded line-up including skipper Brian O’Driscoll for their clash with the Barbarians at Kingsholm on May 27.

Ireland tour New Zealand and Australia in the summer and coach Eddie O’Sullivan has earmarked the fixture as a tune-up before heading down under.

The participation of players from Munster may be limited by the province’s involvement in the knockout stages of the Heineken Cup, with the tournament final staged three days earlier.

But the likes of O’Driscoll, Shane Horgan, Jamie Heaslip and Tommy Bow will be available following the early exit of Ulster and Leinster from European competition.

Ireland play New Zealand in Wellington on June 7 before heading to Melbourne to meet the Wallabies a week later.

O’Sullivan said: “We believe it will be important to give players a competitive game before we arrive in New Zealand.

“Depending on results, at least three of the provinces would be short on game time with the gap between the end of their domestic fixtures and the first game against New Zealand.

“Playing against such a great rugby institution as the Barbarians should be a special occasion.

“My own involvement with the Barbarians in the 22-5 victory over South Africa in December last year was one of the highlights of my coaching career.”

The Barbarians are scouring the globe for players to participate on the tour with Josh Lewsey (England), Felipe Contepomi (Argentina), Schalk Burger (South Africa) and Stephen Larkham (Australia) included among the invitations so far.

The tour also features a curtain raiser against a Belgium International XV in Brussels before closing against England at Twickenham on June 1.