Brian O'Driscoll will captain Ireland on their summer tour of Australia and New Zealand after he confirmed his availability this evening.

The outside centre withdrew from the Ireland side, who defeated the Barbarians 39-14 at Kingsholm on Tuesday, after the death of a close friend.

Tonight's IRFU statement confirmed that the 29-year-old he will fly to the southern hemisphere in the next 48 hours and will join up with the rest of the squad before the first Test against New Zealand on Saturday, June 7th in Wellington.