Ireland to meet Pacific Islanders in 2006

Ireland will meet the intense physical challenge posed by the Pacific Islanders - the combined talents of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga - in 2006.

The Islanders have been granted permission by the International Rugby Board to build on their 21-14 loss to Australia last July with further internationals against New Zealand and Italy in June 2006 and Scotland, Wales and Ireland in November of the same year.