Rugby news:Ireland will meet the Barbarians for the first time in ten years on Irish soil next June. The match, which will take place before Declan Kidney's side set off on their summer tour of the southern hemisphere, will take place at Thomond Park.
The last time the sides met, in 2008, Ireland won 39-14 in Gloucester’s Kingsholm stadium but the Baa-Baas have not played in Ireland since 2000, when the visitors won 31-30.
Given that the match will take place at Munster’s Limerick citadel, the Barbarians have already invited the province’s Doug Howlett, Jean de Villiers and Paul Warwick to take part.
“We are absolutely delighted to be invited back to Ireland where we have so many friends in the game,” Barbarian president Micky Steele-Bodger said today. “Over the years Irish rugby folk have done the Barbarians proud, both as players and club administrators.
“To be visiting the new stadium at Thomond Park is an added attraction and honour for us”
Following the Baa-Baa’s game the Ireland squad will depart to New Zealand and Australia where they are currently scheduled to play two games on the tour against the All Blacks on June 12th and the Wallabies on June 26th.
