Lawson, 34, retired in 2013 after a distinguished career representing Scotland 31 times and playing for Heriots, Edinburgh, Gloucester and Newcastle Falcons as well as appearing for the Barbarians in 2012.

Jennings, also 34, ended his playing career in 2015 after winning 13 caps and playing for Leinster and Leicester Tigers. His final appearance was to captain the Barbarians to victory against Ireland at Thomond Park last year.

They bring their recent playing expertise and knowledge of the game in Scotland and Ireland to the management of the world famous invitation club which is celebrating the 125th anniversary of its foundation this season.

The Barbarians return to action on November 5 when they face South Africa in the Killik Cup match at Wembley Stadium connected by EE.

Lawson and Jennings join a committee chaired by John Spencer and including David Barnes, Mike Burton, John Jeffrey, Philip Orr and Derek Quinnell.

Lawson is a director of the drinks company CocoPro, a rugby analyst for Sky Sports and the Sunday Times, the grandson of commentator Bill McLaren and a trustee of the Bill McLaren Foundation that raises funds to support the development of rugby and its values.

He said: “I want to bring the experience of someone who’s recently come out of the professional rugby ranks to the Barbarians. I’m still connected to the guys playing the international game and I hope that adds something to the club.

“It was one of the highlights of my career to play for the Barbarians in 2012. You have to be invited to take part and it’s a great privilege. Rugby has changed so much but the Barbarians concept is still very important. It brings guys together who might have been rivals to play for each other and it represents the best values of the game.”

Jennings, a three-time Heineken Cup winner with Leinster, now works as Business Development Director for Sherry FitzGerald Countrywide in Ireland.

He said: "Playing for the Barbarians was a personal highlight of my playing career and to be asked by Phil Orr if I was interested in joining the Barbarians committee is another great honour. I hope I can help give Irish players the opportunity to get involved with the Barbarians in the future and that my experience will add to the committee’s great depth of knowledge.

"People still want to play for the Barbarians and it’s a great responsibility to pull on a jersey that so many great players have worn and to do it justice. Winning is important as is winning in the right manner. When the opportunity is there to play in the right style you have to take it but you also have to put that physical effort in.”

The Barbarians continue to thrive and in the last decade have recorded high-profile wins against New Zealand, South Africa, England, Ireland, Wales, Fiji and Samoa, as well as fielding teams against club sides and the Combined Services.

Barbarians: President: Micky Steele-Bodger CBE. Chairman: John Spencer. Honorary Secretary: Gordon H Brown. Honorary Treasurer: Dai David. Committee members: David Barnes, Mike Burton, Shane Jennings, Rory Lawson, Philip Orr, Derek Quinnell. Vice-Presidents: Ronnie Dawson, Haydn Mainwaring, Syd Millar, Mike Weston, Geoffrey Windsor-Lewis.