Rugby

Jamie Heaslip Ireland’s squad captain for Baa Baas

Leinster and Ulster provide every member of 27-strong party for fixture at Thomond Park

Ulster team mates Paddy Jackson and Ruan Pienaar could face up against each other when Ireland play the Barbarians at Thomond Park on Thursday night. Photograph: Inpho

Mon May 25 2015 - 14:05

Joe Schmidt and his coaching team have named their squad for Ireland's friendly against the Barbarians at Thomond Park on Thursday night.

With Munster still having Saturday’s Pro 12 final against Glasgow to prepare for, and Connacht still recovering from their draining extra time loss to Gloucester last weekend, Leinster and Ulster provide every member of the 27-strong party.

Jamie Heaslip has been named captain of the squad and he is one of 11 Leinster forwards, with fellow backrows Jordi Murphy, Jack Conan and Rhys Ruddock also selected in the pack.

Paddy Jackson's sublime form for Ulster may be rewarded with a start in an Ireland jersey, with Ian Madigan his only likely competition for the number 10 shirt.

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Leinster and Ulster representation in the fixture is further boosted by the inclusion of Zane Kirchner and Ruan Pienaar in the Baa Baa’s squad, while Jimmy Gopperth could also feature.

Also in the Barbarian’s 30-man squad are All Blacks veterans Brad Thorn and Joe Rokocoko and Welsh internationals Alex Cuthbert and Adam Jones.

Ireland squad:

Forwards: Michael Bent (Leinster/Dublin University),Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere), Robbie Diack (Ulster/Malone), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster/Dublin University) Captain,

Chris Henry (Ulster/Malone), Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch), Jack McGrath (Leinster/St Mary’s College), Ben Marshall (Leinster/Old Belvedere), Jordi Murphy (Leinster/Lansdowne), Mike Ross (Leinster/Clontarf), Rhys Ruddock (Leinster/St Mary’s College), Richardt Strauss (Leinster/Old Wesley), Devin Toner (Leinster/Lansdowne), Dan Touhy (Ulster/Ballymena)

Backs: Craig Gilroy (Ulster/Dungannon), Paddy Jackson (Ulster/Dungannon), Dave Kearney (Leinster/Lansdowne), Rob Kearney (Leinster/UCD), Cian Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster/Ballynahinch), Luke McGrath (Leinster/UCD), Ian Madigan (Leinster/Blackrock College), Luke Marshall (Ulster/Ballynahinch), Colm O'Shea (Leinster/Clontarf), Eoin Reddan (Leinster/Lansdowne), Noel Reid (Leinster/Clontarf)

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