O'Gara wary of Quinlan clash

Ronan O’Gara is apprehensive at the prospect of facing combative Munster team-mate Alan Quinlan in tonight’s clash between Ireland and the Barbarians.

Brian O’Driscoll has been rested so O’Gara will lead Ireland in their warm-up for the tour to New Zealand and Australia at Thomond Park.

Among those overlooked for the travelling squad is Quinlan, the blindside flanker who has instead been selected by the Barbarians.

“I was talking to Brian O’Driscoll coming home from training and I told him that I think we’ll see the real Quinny tonight,” said O’Gara.

“It’s my first time ever playing against him – usually at training for the last 13 years we’ve been on the same side.

“I’m closest to Alan of all the players. I have a great relationship with him and he has a heart of gold – but he can torment people.

“He’ll torment you all right. That’s the way he plays and he’s very effective.

“He’s a great character – he’ll be missed – but there is plenty of rugby left him in yet.

“He’s very ambitious. I think he’s disappointed not to be going on the Irish tour, so I think he has a point to prove as well.

“It will be interesting to see what way the crowd go because I’m sure there will be a lot of Quinny fans there. We need a few of them cheering us on.”

Ireland have suffered another injury blow with the news Keith Earls has been ruled out of the tour because of a groin injury.

Earls’ place in the squad as been taken by Connacht’s Gavin Duffy, who starts at outside centre against the Barbarians tonight.