Provinces to join forces for Aviva Stadium opener

MUNSTER will join with Connacht in taking on a composite team from Leinster and Ulster to mark the official opening of the Aviva Stadium in August of next year.

The historic clash will be played on Saturday, August 7 and will allow all four provinces to share in a moment of history.

Leinster and Ulster were the first representative teams to play in the old Lansdowne Road nearly 133 years ago on December 16, 1876. Both provinces played the final game, ‘The Last Stand’ in the stadium on New Year’s Eve 2006, when Leinster beat Ulster 20-12 in the Magners League.

Ireland is scheduled to play four internationals for the first time during in November next year against World Champions South Africa, followed by games against Samoa, New Zealand and Argentina.

IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne said: “Coming on the back of the announcement that world champions South Africa will be the first international opposition to play here, this promises to be a great occasion to open the Stadium to the Irish rugby public.

” It was felt that a combined provinces fixture would be the most appropriate way to it.”

Aviva Stadium fixtures 2010 (kick offs to be confirmed)

Saturday, August 7: Connacht/Munster v Leinster/Ulster

Saturday, November 6: Ireland v South Africa

November 13/14: Ireland v Samoa

November 20/21: Ireland v New Zealand

November 27/28: Ireland v Argentina