Ireland beaten by Barbarians

Ireland could only warm up for their forthcoming tour of New Zealand with a 29-28 defeat at the hands of the Barbarians at Kingsholm.

The Irish, deprived of Leinster players resting after their RaboDirect PRO12 final defeat, scored four tries like their opponents but were undone by Felipe Contepomi's late penalty kick.

The Barbarians took a 10th-minute lead when home favourite Mike Tindall made a half break and from the ensuing ruck, Paul Sackey sent over former Gloucester star Iain Balshaw for a try that Contepomi converted.

But Ireland responded and from their first incursion into the Barbarians 22, Craig Gilroy finished strongly for the try which captain Ronan O'Gara converted to tie up the scores.

Benetton Treviso lock Cornelius van Zyl crossed to put the invitation side back in front but back came Ireland when Gilroy produced a stunning burst down the right flank to set up Keith Earls, O'Gara adding the extras.

Sackey caught Ireland's defence napping and raced away for the try Contepomi converted shortly before the half-hour but five minutes after the restart O'Gara was on target again after Simon Zebo touched down to edge Ireland back ahead.

Tindall crashed through the Irish defence to the delight of the Gloucester crowd, before Earls eased through at the other end to keep the game in the balance.

But with three minutes remaining, Barbarians were awarded a penalty in the Irish 22 and for the first time in the match, a kick at goal was chosen, Contepomi the match-winner.

The scorers:

For Barbarians:
Tries:  Balshaw, Van Zyl, Sackey, Tindall
Cons:  Contepomi 3
Pen:  Contepomi

For Ireland:
Tries:  Earls, Gilroy 2, Zebo
Cons:  O'Gara 4

Barbarians:  15 Cedric Heymans, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Mike Tindall, 12 Damien Traille, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Felipe Contepomi, 9 Rory Lawson, 8 Raphael Lakafia, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Mamuka Gorgodze, 5 Cornelius van Zyl, 4 Mick O'Driscoll (c), 3 John Afoa, 2 Benoit August, 1 Duncan Jones.
Replacements:  16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 Neemia Tialata, 18 Pelu Taele, 19 Akapusi Qera, 20 Richie Rees, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Isa Nacewa.

Ireland:  15 Keith Earls, 14 Craig Gilroy, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Ronan O'Gara (c), 9 Conor Murray, 8 Peter O'Mahony, 7 Chris Henry, 6 John Muldoon, 5 Donnacha Ryan, 4 Dan Tuohy, 3 Declan Fitzpatrick, 2 Mike Sherry, 1 Brett Wilkinson.
Replacements:  16 Rory Best, 17 Ronan Loughney, 18 Donncha O'Callaghan, 19 James Coughlan, 20 Paul Marshall, 21 Nevin Spence, 22 Andrew Trimble.

Referee:  J�r�me Garces (France)