O’Driscoll returned to Dublin from Gloucester following the death of a close friend.

The Ireland squad head for Wellington on Friday night before facing the All Blacks on June 7 and Australia in Melbourne seven days later.

There is no news at this stage whether O’Driscoll will travel with his colleagues when they leave Heathrow.

Stand-in skipper Shane Horgan led by example, scoring two tries during an early onslaught that left the Barbarians gasping.

Coach Michael Bradley, in caretaker control until Munster’s Heineken Cup-winning mastermind Declan Kidney takes charge after the tour, could not fail to have been impressed by his team’s handling skills and support work.

Horgan’s fellow wing Tommy Bowe also touched down during the initial blitz, and there was no way back for a Barbarians side high on intent, but lacking finesse.

Number eight Jamie Heaslip added Ireland’s fourth and fifth tries, while fly-half Paddy Wallace kicked 14 points as the Barbarians were restricted to converted scores by flanker Craig Newby and number eight Pedrie Wannenburg.