But they could head to New Zealand later this week without their captain and Lions international Brian O'Driscoll.

O'Driscoll missed last night's 39-14 victory over the Barbarians at Kingsholm following the death of a close friend.

He returned to Dublin from the Irish squad's Cheltenham base just hours before kick-off and was replaced in the starting line-up by Connacht's Gavin Duffy.

Asked if he knew when O'Driscoll might rejoin the squad, Ireland coach Michael Bradley said: "No, not at the moment. It is a private matter."

The Ireland squad, currently based at the Surrey training venue regularly used by Sir Clive Woodward's England 2003 World Cup heroes, leave London for Wellington on Friday night.

They face the All Blacks on June 7 and Australia in Melbourne seven days later.

Despite losing O'Driscoll, Ireland cruised home by playing some thrilling rugby that produced tries for stand-in skipper Shane Horgan (two), number eight Jamie Heaslip (two) and wing Tommy Bowe.

Fly-half Paddy Wallace chipped in with 14 points, while the Barbarians were restricted to converted touchdowns by back-row forwards Craig Newby and Pedrie Wannenburg.