Wales to stage Rugby World Cup quarter final

ORGANISERS of the 2007 Rugby World Cup have announced that the Pool B encounter between Wales and Australia will be played in Cardiff.

Though an IRB statement issued yesterday denied any such deal, the French and Welsh unions remain adamant the game will be played at the Millennium Stadium.

Hosts for RWC 2007, the French Rugby Federation, have also given games to Scotland and Ireland, but have announced that the Millennium Stadium will be the only venue outside of France to stage a quarter-final.

In total, Wales will host three pool games and one quarter-final.

“This is fantastic news for Wales,” said Welsh Rugby Union chairman David Pickering.

“It makes the Millennium Stadium a major venue for Rugby World Cup 2007.

“We have an excellent understanding with the French and together we want to make 2007 even more successful than the 2003 tournament.

Wales’ other two Pool games, plus any knock-out fixtures (including quarter-finals) that they might reach, will be played in France.

The unions of Wales and France have also agreed to stage a pre-World Cup warm-up match between their two countries at the Millennium Stadium in the summer of 2007. “It is always great for Wales to be able to host international fixtures against the top sides in the world and a World Cup warm-up match against France would certainly help Wales’ playing preparations,” said Pickering.

Meanwhile, AIB All-Ireland League champions, Shannon, will open their 2004 - 05 league campaign against Blackrock College in Thomond Park as they go in search of their 7th All Ireland Crown.

League runners up Cork Constitution begin their season on the road where they will face Buccaneers in a repeat of one of last season’s semi finals.

Newly promoted Dublin University face a tough game first up as they travel west to play an experienced Galwegians side.

Relegated from Division One on the final day of the season, St. Mary’s College will be hoping to make a quick return to the top flight when they open their account to Old Crescent in Limerick. The other side relegated from Division One, Dolphin, will also be beginning their campaign away in Limerick to Young Munster. Last season’s Division Three winners Highfield have the luxury of a home tie against Thomond in their first match. In Division Three, newly promoted junior side Bruff are at home for their first ever appearance in the AIB League where they will play Cork side Clonakilty.

All divisional semi finals will take place on April 30th, with the finals being staged on the same day a week later on Saturday May 7.