Muldoon targets positive start to Ireland tour

Connacht's Johnny Muldoon has targeted a positive start against the Barbarians for Ireland on their summer schedule of International Tests.

Ireland face the Barbarians tonight in Thomond Park before embarking on a tour Down Under which will take in Tests and the New Zealand Maori, the All Blacks and Australia this month.

Declan Kidney is sending a depleted side out for the tour with the likes of Paul O'Connell, Stephen Ferris and Keith Earls out injured for the tour, but Muldoon still thinks there is a good experience in the side.

The No.6 said: "We are a mix of the old and the young. Hopefully we will get a good start for the road ahead.

The Connacht captain hopes his form for his province can continue for his country.

He said: "There has been some good nights and also some poor ones, but we are really looking forward to starting off the tour on a win and a high for everyone."