An Ireland squad of 38 players met in Carton House yesterday for an orientation and logistical briefing ahead of a game against the Barbarians at Kingsholm on Tuesday, May 29th, and a three test tour to New Zealand.

Ireland will meet the All Blacks at Eden Park, Auckland (June 9th), Rugby League Park, Christchurch (16th) and Waikato Stadium, Hamilton (23rd). Irish coach Declan Kidney is set announce a squad for the Barbarians fixture after the RaboDirect Pro 12 semi-finals, which take place on Friday, May 11th and Saturday, May 12th, a week prior to the Heineken Cup final.

Leinster have already confirmed their place in the semi-finals – Munster are most likely to follow – and if either were to go on and qualify for the final then none of their players would be included in Ireland’s game against the Barbarians. The league final takes place on the weekend of May 26th-27th.

Hence, some of those Irish players who play in that Barbarians game will not go to New Zealand, their places taken by those selected to tour from the Pro12 finalists.