The Irish Rugby Football Union has confirmed that Churchill Cup Champions Ireland A will play both Tonga and the Argentina Jaguars in international games during November.
The full Tongan international side will be hosted at the home of Ulster Rugby at Ravenhill on what promises to be another Friday night extravaganza of top class rugby.
Tonga, famed for their hard hitting approach to the game, will visit Belfast on Friday, 13th November as the opening international game in Ireland during that month.
The IRFU also confirmed today that Tallaght Stadium in Dublin will host its first ever international rugby match when the Argentina A side, who are known as the Jaguars, will play Ireland A on Friday 27th November, 24 hours before Ireland play World Champions South Africa in Croke Park in the Guinness Series.
The A internationals are part of a five match package of games during the traditional November international window and ticket prices for the A games will be announced shortly. As well as the two A internationals confirmed today, Ireland will play test matches Australia, Fiji and South Africa in the Guinness series. A limited number of tickets for these games are still available and can be purchased on the IRFU website, www.irishrugby.ie.
Commenting on the announcement, IRFU Director of Rugby Eddie Wigglesworth said, “These games will provide a great spectacle for the rugby fans in both Belfast and Tallaght as the Ireland A team will contain some of the top emerging talent in Irish Rugby. In terms of international experience, this will be vital as the national management continue to develop the depth of the international squads.”
“We are particularly excited about holding the first ever international game in Tallaght, something that we were conscious of when we selected the venue in terms of game development. The Tallaght Project, which began in 2001, has exposed over 6,000 children and adults to the game in the area to the point where Tallaght Rugby club has become a focal point in the local community. The game against the Argentina Jaguars continues that legacy by bringing international rugby to Tallaght to be enjoyed by current and prospective rugby players and supporters.”
International Rugby in November
Ireland A v Tonga
Friday, 13 November
Ravenhill, Belfast (K.O. TBC)
Ireland v Australia
Sunday, 15 November
Croke Park, Dublin (K.O. 15.00hrs)
Ireland v Fiji
Saturday, 21 November
RDS, Dublin (K.O. 17.15)
Ireland A v Argentina Jaguars
Friday, 27 November
Tallaght Stadium, Dublin (K.O. TBC)
Ireland v South Africa
Saturday, 28 November
Croke Park, Dublin (K.O. 14.30)
