Ireland v Barbarians - Teams

Brian O'Driscoll leads an Irish XV drawn largely from Leinster and Ulster in tonight's clash with the Barbarians at Kingsholm.

The Ireland skipper will line up in the centres alongside his highly-rated Leinster teammate Luke Fitzgerald.

Coach Michael Bradley, in charge for the Barbarians game and the tour to Australia and New Zealand before Munster boss Declan Kidney takes over, can call on the experience of players like O'Driscoll, wing Shane Horgan and lock Malcolm O'Kelly.

But there is also a chance for players who will spearhead Ireland A's Barclays Churchill Cup challenge in the USA and Canada next month.

Munster's players have been excused duty following their Heineken Cup heroics on Saturday.

Australian centre Morgan Turinui leads the Barbarians, with former Wallabies fly-half Stephen Larkham wearing the number 10 shirt and Gloucester's England wing Lesley Vainikolo also starting.

Former New Zealand flanker Jerry Collins may be on the bench, with the Baa-baas' replacements yet to be finalised.

The 27-year-old Wellington Hurricanes forward, who is likely to start next Sunday's Twickenham encounter between England and the Barbarians, has called time on his playing career in New Zealand.

Ireland: R Kearney (Leinster); S Horgan (Leinster), B O'Driscoll (Leinster, capt), L Fitzgerald (Leinster), T Bowe (Ulster); P Wallace (Ulster), I Boss (Ulster); B Young (Ulster), R Best (Ulster), M Ross (Harlequins), B Casey (London Irish), M O'Kelly (Leinster), S Ferris (Ulster), S Jennings (Leinster), J Heaslip (Leinster).
Replacements: B Jackman (Leinster), T Court (Ulster), R Caldwell (Ulster), N Best (Ulster), F Murphy (Leicester), J Sexton (Leinster), G Dempsey (Leinster).

Barbarians: P Hewat; S Anesi, M Turinui (capt), J Pretorius, L Vainikolo; S Larkham, M Claassens; O le Roux, S Bruno, C Visagie, K Chesney, R Skeate, C Newby, D Croft, P Wannenburg.
Replacements: M Regan, P Collazo, S Dellape, M Chapman or J Collins, A Gomarsall, G Jackson, T Smith or S Mapusua.