O’Driscoll returned to Dublin after news of the death of a close friend, and it wasn’t certain whether he will rejoin his teammates in time when they leave on Friday for New Zealand.

In his absence, stand-in captain Shane Horgan racked a pair of tries, No. 8 Jamie Heaslip also bagged two, and winger Tommy Bowe scored in a surge of 24 points in the first 23 minutes which left Ireland in control.

Paddy Wallace, among 12 starters heading to New Zealand, kicked over 14 points.

Ireland, defeating the Baabaas for the first time in three attempts, did not include any players from Munster, who won the European Cup at the weekend.

Today in Sports
Players mostly battling the weather at French OpenNuanced delights of a 5-day matchIraq’s team become political football
The Barbarians were limited to converted tries by New Zealand flanker Craig Newby and South African No. 8 Pedrie Wannenburg.

Former All Black Newby, who has left Otago to join Leicester next season, was injured scoring the try and taken to hospital for X-rays on his neck.

Ireland play the All Blacks on June 7 in Wellington, and Australia a week later in Melbourne. The Barbarians meet England at Twickenham on Sunday.

___

Ireland 39 (Shane Horgan 2, Jamie Heaslip 2, Tommy Bowe tries; Paddy Wallace 4 conversions, 2 penalties), Barbarians 14 (Craig Newby, Pedrie Wannenburg tries; Peter Hewat 2 conversions). HT: 24-7.

Loffies a better coach than Jake White
only you don’t know it.

I love my Cheetahs and historically haven’t really cared much for the Lions, but for the health of SA Rugby, we need the team with the greatest financial and population wealth to fire.

My proposals:
? Get some new sponsorships. Johan Rupert must have some spare change.to chuck around.
? Hire Jake White as the Super14 coach and let Loffie do the Currie Cup. Jake has too much to offer and it would be a homecoming. Loffie could learn a thing or two from Jake.
? Purchase: John Smit, Butch James, Percy Montgomery, Marius Joubert, Eduard Coetzee, Cobus Visagie, Pat Barnard, Faan Rautenbach, Michael Claassens. No one in SA wants them or could afford them.
? Build three rugby academies (SARU owned boarding schools) in the townships. Offer an education to those who want to play rugby and have some ability.
? Flatten Ellis Park and go play in the new FIFA2010 final stadium

How many hours from now is it being played?

#25 racheltjiedebeer: you know if poms showing it?

#13 Erfplaas:
Did you see him in the friendlies, tri-nations and WC? …. when the heat is on Ice is a wet puddle

I hear they got an exceptionally good bench to bring on, so the Baa – Baa’s have done well there!