Munster set to make return to US

MUNSTER may be concentrating on their upcoming Heineken Cup semi-final against Saracens, but they’ll be returning to the US this summer ahead of the 2008-9 season.

Munster will play the US Eagles in Canton, Massachusetts. on Friday August 22 and they play London Irish on their return to Ireland, in Musgrave Park on Friday, August 29.

Their pre-season programme will be sponsored by the Cork International Operations Centre of IT Business Technology company EMC, based in Ovens, Cork, and whose worldwide headquarters is Hopkinton, Massachusetts.

The trip to Boston will be hosted by the Irish Cultural Centre of New England in Canton, and the game between Munster and the US Eagles will be the first national team match hosted by USA Rugby in the Boston area for several years.

“As an Irish umbrella organization for Irish Heritage and Culture, we are honoured to have been chosen by USA Rugby to host this match,” said Irish Cultural Centre Executive Director Sean Grant.

The two teams played each other last year in Chicago’s Toyota Park with Munster claiming the Setanta Cup after a 10-6 victory, the Eagles using the game as a final preparation before they departed for the Rugby World Cup.

USA Rugby chief executive and President of Rugby Nigel Melville said. “It’s exciting to have Munster, one of the best teams in Europe, coming back to the USA. Building a relationship with a professional team of their calibre is great for USA Rugby.”

Munster coach Declan Kidney said: “Last year’s trip was hugely beneficial to us and we are delighted that once again we are going to be in a position to expose our players to quality international opposition.”

Tickets will be available through Ticketmaster starting May 30. More information will be made available regarding group rates and prices, closer to that date.