Ireland scrap South Africa plan

Ireland have shelved plans to play South Africa at a neutral “non-traditional” venue in November after running out of time.

Plans to play the match in Dubai fell through and Ireland had been in talks with SA Rugby as recently as last week about other alternatives, including the possibility of playing in Spain.

But the Irish Rugby Football Union confirmed tonight that no additional Tests would be organised for this November.

In a statement, they said: “The IRFU had been in discussions with South Africa to play a Test match at a venue outside of Ireland, but due to time limitations and deadlines for putting the necessary operational plans in place, the game will not be going ahead.”

Ireland will play Canada at Thomond Park on November 8 with Tests against New Zealand and Argentina at Croke Park on subsequent weekends.

Australia and New Zealand are playing their first Test on neutral soil outside of a World Cup in Hong Kong on November 1.