James Mortimer    30.May.2012Getty Images

Ireland coach Declan Kidney had mixed feelings after his troops lost to the Barbarians by a point, but would have had more selection questions answered after watching the high intensity clash.

Potentially the match winning edge for the Irish – the core of the Heineken Cup winning Leinster team – were missing as they were rested after playing the Ospreys in the Rabodirect Pro12 final.

Ireland, beaten 22-10 by Wales in the 2011 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals, came third overall in this season’s Six Nations, winning two of five tests, beating Scotland and Italy.

Kidney will name his final touring squad on Thursday, with the side departing Ireland aiming to arrive on our shores late this weekend.

Argentinean general Felipe Contepomi, playing in a starting side featuring former All Black John Afoa, kicked a last gasp penalty to give coach John Kirwan and the Barbarians a great comeback 29-28 win after losing to England 57-26 a few days ago.

Former Munster coach Kidney hinted the match was a trial of sorts.

"We are disappointed," Kidney said.

"The Barbarians were a lot better than they were on Sunday against England. They were well focused, it was a tough game and but we only went down to a penalty three minutes from the end.

"We didn't have a full deck of cards but it was a brilliant opportunity for some of our fringe players."

While Stephen Ferris has been ruled out, incumbent prop Mike Ross should recover to feature at some stage in the Steinlager Series, while Kidney confirmed that Brian O’Driscoll will captain Ireland in the upcoming three-test spectacle.

"No one has been ruled out (via injury after the Barbarians match)," he said.

"I'm going to discuss players' conditions with the medics over the next few hours. I know Mike Ross has a tight hamstring and he may struggle for the first Test.