Cian Healy to bring curtain down on rugby career in Baa Baas clash with Springboks 

The Leinster and Ireland veteran has been added to a roster that already includes Conor Murray and the retiring Peter O’Mahony.

Cian Healy arrives for Leinster training. Pic: Ben Brady/Inpho

Cian Healy will bring his long and illustrious career to a close in Cape Town at the end of May when he lines out for the famous Barbarians against the world-champion Springboks.

The Leinster and Ireland veteran has been added to a roster that already includes Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray as head coach Robbie Dean goes about confirming his squad for the one-off contest in South Africa.

All Black Shannon Frizell has also been pencilled in.

“When putting a squad together, we always look for players who have a number of attributes: versatility, experience, skill set, flair, combinations and know each other’s games at club or international level, but most importantly respect and value the privilege of playing for the Barbarians,” said Deans.

“Cian is hugely experienced both at club and country level, can play tighthead and loosehead, and will know well the two other Irish players announced last week. And Shannon is an explosive and dynamic backrow and has played alongside Sam Cane for the All Blacks.” 

This will be the first time the Barbarians face South Africa and for Healy and O’Mahony, it will be their last ever game of professional rugby before they retire. Murray also leaves Munster this summer but it is believed he will play elsewhere next season.

The 37-year-old Healy is not only Ireland’s most capped player but Leinster’s too. He made his Test debut in 2009 and retired from international rugby after the Six Nations earlier this year, having earned 137 caps.

The versatile prop has been central to Leinster’s success and is currently concentrating on Leinster’s bid to claim a URC title. He was also a member of the British & Irish Lions squad on their victorious tour of Australia in 2013, but had to withdraw through injury.