Sympathy offered to injury-hit Ireland

Barbarians coach Bob Dwyer offered his condolences as he entered and Warren Gatland exited the interview room under the Havelock Square end - and he wasn't taking about the result of yesterday's clash at Lansdowne Road.

Instead he tried to offer sympathy for the injury crisis that has struck Ireland just 24 hours before they depart on a three-Test tour to Argentina, the USA and Canada. "It's a shame for Ireland, a massive shame for the players. I suppose in lots of ways if your going to have an injury, this is as good a time as any. You have a fair bit of time to get over it until the new season but you certainly wouldn't want to wish that on anyone."

Ian Jones, former All Black and captain for the day, confirmed he wasn't surprised by the intensity of the clash. "No, Ireland really needed a big hit out to the tour. Obviously they were playing for places on the Test team. It gave them a chance to play in the Ireland jersey ahead of some of the Munster guys. Who wouldn't want to perform well. If they're wearing an Irish jersey you expect them to play well."

Dwyer added: "The last thing Ian said to the players before they went out is to get ready for the physical nature of the game. The preparation has been low key, not that it has been negligent in any way. It's been low key by necessity. You can't train too hard a couple of days before a game. Ian said, just be ready. At the back of your mind you have to understand that it will be physical."

The Australian wasn't surprised by the quality of Ireland's performance. "No, not really. We've all thought that team (Ireland) have gone very well after a pretty average start against England. They played very well since.

"We thought that the halves that came in to replace the Munster halves were top quality players and would have been arguing for a place in the team anyway. Matter of fact, when we read the team in the paper on Thursday we knew we were in for a hard time.

"It speaks volumes for rugby in Ireland which I believe is on a real surge. Over the past couple of years the under-19s of a couple of seasons ago and the under-21s have been doing very well. It's a bit of a turnaround from last November when all was doom and gloom."

Jones spoke of Lomu's impact on the match: "I thought Jonah's contribution to the game was enormous as it always is. It speaks volumes for the Irish defence, but Jonah's a fantastic player and it is a joy to play with him. Generally it's nicer to play with him than against him."

He then spoke of the honour of leading out such a distinguished side before explaining why the Barbarians team ran back out to applaud the crowd. "To lead a team like that out to Lansdowne, it's certainly a memory I'm going to cherish for a long time. It was just an acknowledgement to a great crowd."