JOE SCHMIDT HAS named a relatively experienced Ireland XV for tomorrow’s clash with the Barbarians in Thomond Park.

Leinster’s Ian Madigan will direct play from the out-half position, with Ulster’s Paddy Jackson having been included on the bench. Eoin Reddan partners his provincial teammate Madigan in the halfback pairing.

Jamie Heaslip captains the Ireland XV for the clash with the Baa-Baas. Source: Inpho/Billy Stickland

The centre partnership of uncapped Colm O’Shea and Ulsterman Luke Marshall is an intriguing one, the latter having last featured for Ireland in the November Tests last year before suffering with injury problems.

Craig Gilroy’s sublime form in the Guinness Pro12 earns him a start on the left wing, and he’s joined by Rob and Dave Kearney in the back three.

Jamie Heaslip captains the team from number eight in a back row that also includes Ulster pair Robbie Diack and Chris Henry. The return of Henry to an Ireland jersey, even in a non-cap game, is hugely welcome after his heart scare late last year.

Devin Toner and the in-form Dan Tuohy make up the second row, while Schmidt has gone for an all-Leinster front row of Jack McGrath, Richardt Strauss and the uncapped Tadhg Furlong.

The replacements bench includes Cian Kelleher, recent winner of the Ulster Bank League Rising Star award and a man who made his Leinster debut on the last day of their Pro12 season.

Stuart McCloskey, Noel Reid, Rhys Ruddock and Jack Conan are missing from the matchday squad, having been named in the 27-man group at the start of the week.

Ireland XV v Barbarians:

15. Rob Kearney

14. Dave Kearney

13. Colm O’Shea

12. Luke Marshall

11. Craig Gilroy

10. Ian Madigan

9. Eoin Reddan

1. Jack McGrath

2. Richardt Strauss

3. Tadhg Furlong

4. Devin Toner

5. Dan Tuohy

6. Robbie Diack

7. Chris Henry

8. Jamie Heaslip (captain)

Replacements:

16. Rob Herring

17. Michael Bent

18. Mike Ross

19. Ben Marshall

20. Jordi Murphy

21. Luke McGrath

22. Paddy Jackson

23. Cian Kelleher