The Barbarians have confirmed they will play Ireland in Gloucester in May as part of a three-match  tour which will also see them take on Belgium in Brussels and England at Twickenham.

Eddie O'Sullivan's men in green will take on the Barbarians at Kingsholm on Tuesday, May 27th, three days ofter they play Belgium in Brussels before concluding at Twickenham on June 1st.

There had been speculation suggesting Chelsea's Stamford Bridge ground would have staged the match, which will serve as a warm-up for Ireland prior to their summer tour of New Zealand and Australia.

Barbarians president Micky Steele-Bodger said: "This is a new departure for us, but a very interesting one.

"Ireland were keen to add a fixture in Europe to their own summer tour before travelling on to New Zealand and Australia.

"With Lansdowne Road and Thomond Park still under redevelopment, we are playing at one of the traditional hotbeds of rugby union in the west of England," added Steele-Bodger, referring to the venue where Munster will take on Gloucester in the quarter-finals of the European Cup in April.

"Kingsholm was an obvious choice, and one that we are sure will prove to be a great success for both players and fans."

The Barbarians have played Ireland on two previous occasions in 1996 and 2000, and they will be defending an unbeaten record against them.