The Ireland squad, with interim coach Michael Bradley at the helm, will step up their preparations for the summer tour with a warm-up game against the Barbarians on Tuesday night.
Bradley and assistant coach Niall O’Donovan watched the players go through their paces during the Captain’s run session at Kingsholm, the home of Gloucester Rugby, which is the venue for Tuesday’s non-cap match.
Although there will be no caps awarded, the game will be notable for the return to international action of Bob Casey. The London Irish lock has not made a senior appearance for Ireland since 2000.
Another English-based player, Harlequins prop Mike Ross, will be making his senior bow for Ireland, while young gun Luke Fitzgerald will get a chance to impress alongside Brian O’Driscoll in a new-look midfield.
The matchday squad, which Bradley announced last Thursday, includes four uncapped players on the replacements bench in Tom Court, Ryan Caldwell, Jonathan Sexton and Frank Murphy.
In Ireland’s starting line-up, there are just five players who started their 33-10 Six Nations defeat to England at Twickenham in March – Rob Kearney, Shane Horgan, Tommy Bowe, Rory Best and Jamie Heaslip.
For photos of the Ireland squad taking part in the Captain’s run session at Kingsholm on Tuesday, please click here.
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