Barbarians down Ireland in thriller

Ireland warmed up for their forthcoming tour of New Zealand with a 29-28 defeat at the hands of the Barbarians in a competitive and entertaining match at Kingsholm.

The Irish were deprived of their Leinster players – resting following their defeat in Sunday’s RaboDirect PRO12 final – but despite their absence, a better performance would have been expected. The Kingsholm crowd of 11,654 were firmly behind the Barbarians as the invitation side contained a number of players with Gloucester associations and they were deserved winners.

The Barbarians took a tenth-minute lead when Paul Sackey sent former Gloucester star Iain Balshaw over for a try in the corner which Felipe Contepomi converted. Stung by the reverse, Ireland responded and Craig Gilroy finished strongly for a try converted by captain Ronan O’Gara.

Georgian flanker Mamuka Gorgodze and Tindall were the most impressive players during the opening quarter and they provided some powerful running to set up the Barbarians’ second try for Benetton Treviso lock, Cornelius van Zyl.

Back came Ireland with their second try when Gilroy produced a stunning burst down the right flank to evade both Balshaw and Tindall and set up a try for Keith Earls.

The Barbarians regained the lead after 28 minutes when Sackey caught Ireland’s defence napping and raced away for the try which Contepomi converted to give them a 19-14 interval lead.

But, within five minutes of the restart, Ireland had regained the lead. A clever pass from O’Gara gave Simon Zebo a chance to outflank a hesitant Sackey for the try which O’Gara converted.

The Gloucester crowd then roared home favourite Tindall through the Irish defence for a try which Contepomi converted.

The lead changed hands once again in a see-saw match as the impressive Gilroy received a long pass from Earls for an easy try which O’Gara again converted. But, with three minutes remaining, Barbarians were awarded a penalty in the Irish 22 and Contepomi converted to win the match.

Scorers: Barbarians – Tries: Balshaw, C. van Zyl, Sackey, Tindall. Cons: Contepomi 3. Pen: Contepomi. Ireland – Tries: Gilroy 2, Earls, Zebo. Cons: O’Gara 4.

Barbarians: Heymans; Sackey, Tindall, Traille, Balshaw; Contepomi, Lawson; Jones, August, Afoa, O’Driscoll, C. van Zyl, Gorgodze, Louw, Lakafia. Subs: Donald for Heymans (66), Nacewa for Balshaw (55), Rees for Lawson (70), Tialata for Jones (55), de Malmanche for August (41), Taele for C. van Zyl (24), Qera for Gorgodze (65).

Ireland: Earls; Gilroy, Cave, Wallace, Zebo; O’Gara, Murray; Wilkinson, Sherry, Fitzpatrick, Tuohy, Ryan, Muldoon, Henry, O’Mahony. Replacements: Spence for Gilroy (78), Marshall for Murray (77), Loughney for Fitzpatrick (57), O’Callaghan for Tuohy (60), Coughlan for Henry (60), Trimble for O’Mahony (70). Not Used: Best.

Referee: Jerome Garces (France). Attendance: 11,654