Ex Australia coach Robbie Deans will lead Barbarians against Ireland and England

Former Australia head coach Robbie Deans will oversee the Barbarians for their fixtures against Ireland and England in May.

Deans led the Wallabies from 2008 to 2013, a spell that included their series defeat by the British and Irish Lions, and has so far named Australia fly-half Berrick Barnes, New Zealand lock George Whitelock and Argentina scrum-half Tomas Cubelli in his squad.

"I count my trips back to the UK as special times in my rugby coaching career and a couple of fixtures against the third and fourth ranked rugby nations in a World Cup year are an exciting prospect," Deans said.

The Barbarians play their game against Ireland at Thomond Park on May 28th and against England at Twickenham Stadium on May 31th. This year’s contests celebrate the 125th anniversary of the invitational side’s foundation.

New Zealander Deans has also coached Japanese club Panasonic Wild Knights, the Crusaders, and he was also an assistant coach of his native New Zealand between 2001 and 2003.