Ronan O'Gara will captain Ireland in Friday's match against the Barbarians at Thomond Park.

O'Gara, who will play alongside Munster colleague Peter Stringer at half-back, replaces regular captain Brian O'Driscoll, who is rested ahead of the tour to New Zealand and Australia which departs on Saturday.

Ireland head coach Declan Kidney has selected four uncapped players for the clash in locks Ed O'Donoghue and Dan Touhy, centre Fergus McFadden and number eight Chris Henry.

Prop Marcus Horan also starts, while his Munster team-mate Tony Buckley will begin the match at tighthead.

Ireland regulars Jerry Flannery, David Wallace and Tomas O'Leary are all named on the bench.

Ireland face the All Blacks - who they have never beaten - in New Plymouth on June 12 and meet the New Zealand Maori the following Friday before closing the tour against Australia in Brisbane on June 26.

Ireland team to play Barbarians on Friday: Robert Kearney, Shane Horgan, Gavin Duffy, Fergus McFadden, Andrew Trimble Ronan O'Gara (capt), Peter Stringer, Marcus Horan, Sean Cronin, Tony Buckley, Ed O'Donoghue, Dan Tuohy, John Muldoon, Niall Ronan, Chris Henry. Res: Jerry Flannery, Tom Court, Mick O'Driscoll, David Wallace, Tomas O'Leary, Jonathan Sexton, Paddy Wallace

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