Bourke Ready For Barbarian Challenge

On a wet night in Thomond Park last November, Gillian Bourke lined out for Munster against the first-ever Barbarian Women’s team selection.

The ‘Baa Baas’ won that one 19-0. This Saturday, on St Patrick’s Day, she will join former Ireland teammates Sophie Spence, Marie Louise Reilly and Nora Stapleton in the Barbarian side which will play its second game against a British Army team in Aldershot. There are eight countries represented in the ‘Baa Baas’ side this weekend.

Bourke, from Ballyneety in Co. Limerick, has been playing rugby since she went to college in 2003. Bourke has received 51 Ireland caps, one Grand Slam medal from 2013 and a Women’s Six Nations Championship title from 2015, played in two World Cups, won 10 AIL titles with her club UL Bohemians and seven Interprovincial titles with Munster.

Bourke said: “There is huge experience in this Barbarian side with 684 international caps between them. There have been plenty of goodwill messages since the squad announcement on Friday and there’s great excitement in the lead up to Saturday’s game.

The front-row spoke about how ‘privileged’ she feels to be invited to play for the Barbarians and how she is really looking forward to meeting up with the rest of the squad and getting the opportunity to play with people that she has previously played against.

After a spell out of the game through injury, Bourke wondered if she would ever play again but she is back now playing with UL Bohs (who currently sit at the top of the AIL Division 1 table), and played in the Munster Women’s side that won the Interprovincial title last December.

“To represent your club, province or country at the highest level is indeed a great honour but it doesn’t just happen. It takes a lot of hard work and commitment.

“I believe that if you work hard and you are honest in your approach then you will get great rewards. Rugby gives back a lot, in the values it teaches and the friendships you make along the way, and therein lies its intrinsic value.”

This, for Bourke, is what makes all the effort worthwhile and drives her to perform week after week for her club and her teammates. The opportunity to line out for the Barbarians on Saturday is the icing on the cake.