Ireland To Face Barbarians At Thomond Park

The Irish Rugby Football Union and the Barbarians have confirmed they will play a match at Thomond Park on May 28 next year.

The fixture forms part of the Barbarians' Summer Tour, which also features a game against England at Twickenham on Sunday, May 31.

Next year marks the 125th anniversary of Barbarian rugby, making its Summer Tour fixtures against Ireland and England even more significant.

"This promises to be a truly memorable occasion as both the IRFU and Munster welcome the Barbarians back to Ireland," said Irish Rugby Football Union President Louis Magee.

"The celebrated Barbarians brand of rugby will bring an entertaining game to Thomond Park and one which I am sure Ireland and rugby fans will look forward to seeing."

The Barbarians recently took part in an epic encounter against the Wallabies in front of a 55,000 crowd at Twickenham and will look forward to the challenge of playing at the Limerick venue and experiencing the atmosphere at a packed Thomond Park.

The Barbarians side will be packed full of leading international stars with further player and team announcements in the New Year. The club also anticipate a number of in-form Munster players will be invited to join their squad which will be of further interest to the local fans.

Barbarian president Micky Steele-Bodger said: "We are absolutely delighted to be invited back to Ireland where we have so many friends in the game. Over the years Irish rugby folk have done the Barbarians proud, both as players and administrators.

"To be visiting Thomond Park for a second time is an added attraction and honour for us. Back in 1991 we were in Munster to help Cork Constitution celebrate their centenary and we have enjoyed similar anniversary matches with Old Wesley, Wanderers and Clontarf in Dublin."