Preview: Ireland v Barbarians
Veteran Ronan O'Gara will captain an Ireland XV that plays a non-cap match against the Barbarians in Gloucester on Tuesday. Munster and Ireland lock Mick O'Driscoll will lead the Barbarians.
Ireland's most capped player will be partnered at scrumhalf by Conor Murray, while Paddy Wallace and Darren Cave line up in the centres. Keith Earls starts at fullback with uncapped duo Craig Gilroy and Simon Zebo making their first starts in a senior game on each wing.
In the pack, Brett Wilkinson and Declan Fitzpatrick will pack down on either side of Mike Sherry in an uncapped front row.
Dan Tuohy and Donnacha Ryan form a new second row partnership at this level while Peter O'Mahony starts at No.8 with John Muldoon and Chris Henry completing the back row.
The honour for Mick O'Driscoll, who has captained Munster on a number of occasions, comes at the end of a season in which he confirmed his retirement from rugby.
The 33-year-old lock will be making his first ever appearance for the Barbarians, with Ulster prop John Afoa and Leinster's Isa Nacewa also selected in a strong matchday squad.
There are seven of O'Driscoll's Munster teammates in the Ireland starting line-up for the game, and two more on the replacements bench.
Nacewa's former provincial colleague Felipe Contepomi will wear the BaaBaas' No.10 jersey, opposing Ronan O'Gara who has enjoyed many a duel with the Argentinian international over the years.
Gloucester's own Mike Tindall and Rory Lawson will also start in the Barbarians' backline, with Cedric Heymans and Damien Traille sure to add some French flair to proceedings.
Afoa will be joined by Duncan Jones and Benoit August in a powerful front row, while Italy's Cornelius van Zyl is set to pack down alongside O'Driscoll in the second row.
Georgian powerhouse Mamuka Gorgodze has been added to the back row along with fellow internationals Francois Louw and Raphael Lakafia.
In all, Barbarians coaches John Kirwan and Grant Doorey have retained only four players from Sunday's 26-57 loss to England at Twickenham – they are Paul Sackey, Tindall, Lawson and All Black Afoa.
Teams:
Barbarians: 15 Cedric Heymans, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Mike Tindall, 12 Damien Traille, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Felipe Contepomi, 9 Rory Lawson, 8 Raphael Lakafia, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Mamuka Gorgodze, 5 Cornelius van Zyl, 4 Mick O'Driscoll (captain), 3 John Afoa, 2 Benoit August, 1 Duncan Jones.
Replacements: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 Neemia Tialata, 18 Pelu Taele, 19 Akapusi Qera, 20 Richie Rees, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Isa Nacewa.
Ireland: 15 Keith Earls, 14 Craig Gilroy, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Ronan O'Gara (captain), 9 Conor Murray, 8 Peter O'Mahony, 7 Chris Henry, 6 John Muldoon, 5 Donnacha Ryan, 4 Dan Tuohy, 3 Declan Fitzpatrick, 2 Mike Sherry, 1 Brett Wilkinson.
Replacements: 16 Rory Best, 17 Ronan Loughney, 18 Donncha O'Callaghan, 19 James Coughlan, 20 Paul Marshall, 21 Nevin Spence, 22 Andrew Trimble.
Date: Tuesday, May 29
Venue: Kingsholm, Gloucester
Kick-off: 19.45 (18.45 GMT)
Referee: Jérôme Garces (France)
Assistant referees: TBC (France)
TMO: TBC (England)
